Shamrock Rovers - 1 Waterford Utd - 1 Ten-man Shamrock Rovers will feel aggrieved not to have claimed all three points at Tolka Park last night, as a late goal from Vinny O'Sullivan denied them the victory. It seemed like they would hang on despite having Trevor Croly sent off early in the second half.
In the end a lack of concentration from their defence when facing an Alan Reilly corner on 86 minutes was ruthlessly punished by O'Sullivan.
Last night's encounter was a mid-table clash, at the business end of the season, so the main motivation for both sides was pride. With only goal difference separating them in the table, Shamrock Rovers were not prepared to be turned over at home for the second time in a week.
Right from the outset, they appeared to be in the mood. The passing was crisp, while Glenn Fitzpatrick and Trevor Molloy were running hard up front. With just over a minute on the clock Molloy flashed a shot inches wide.
They continued to press forward and with Waterford still shaking off the cobwebs, Fitzpatrick had his side in front.
Derek Treacy, relishing a rare start - due to an injury to Samir Boughanem - played a low ball into the area, which was promptly curled into the bottom right corner by the Rovers front man.
Liam Buckley's men have been know this season to allow their opponents back into the contest.
However, they continued to dictate the tempo, with Molloy forcing United goalkeeper Dan Connor into action on three separate occasions.
The reward for their dominance never arrived and, as is the way, Waterford slowly brought themselves back into the game with Daryl Murphy and Neale Fenn ensuring Shane Davoren had a lively league debut in the problematic Rovers goal.
Barry Ryan is banned for 15 months and Tony O'Dowd suffered a burst blood vessel earlier in the week against Longford but the young goalkeeper had a comfortable evening.
Disaster was, however, just around the corner as a minute into the second half Croly was sent off when referee Dave McKeon showed him his second yellow card after a challenge on Kevin Waters.
Molloy shared the full-back duties with Shane Robinson, seriously curtailing Rovers' attacking options as Fitzpatrick was forced into the lone striker's role.
The home fans then had to breath a collective sigh of relief when Davoren took what seemed an eternity to regain his feet after he damaged his right leg stretching for John Frost's left-footed drive.
United began to assert their advantage, with Fenn failing to convert an inswinger from just six yards. Nevertheless, the set-piece balls into the area looked like they might eventually unlock a now shaky back four.
Buckley eventually replaced the out-of-position Molloy with Alan Martin, and Fitzpatrick then made way for Tony Grant in an attempt to the inject some impetus.
When Rovers reflect on the performance, they will surely note Terry Palmer's no-nonsense display at the back. Indeed, he almost sealed the points 20 minutes from time when his header, from a Robinson cross, just missed the target.
But Rovers' inability to deal with balls into the area proved their undoing as United's substitutes O'Sullivan and Reilly combined to salvage the draw.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Davoren; Croly, Palmer, Gough, Doyle; Robinson, Colwell, Tracey (Keddy, 81 mins), S Grant; Fitzpatrick (T Grant, 76 mins), Molloy (Martin, 70 mins).
WATERFORD UNITED: Connor; Leahy (Reilly, 65 mins), Breen, Mulcahy, Frost (McLoughlin, 89 mins); O'Brien (O'Sullivan, 65 mins), Fitzgerald, Clifford, Waters; Fenn, Murphy.
Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).
