Shelbourne vs Waterford 2-3

Waterford left Tolka Park with a 3-2 win after Tom Lonergan struck in the 88th minute, after Shelbourne had twice got level. The visitors also overturned the home side’s early lead.

Shelbourne went ahead in the 9th minute when Kerr McInroy scored from James Norris, making it 1-0. Waterford equalised in the 38th minute through Evan McLaughlin, and the sides went in at 1-1.

Padraig Amond restored Waterford’s lead in the 52nd minute from Tom Lonergan’s assist, before Jonathan Lunney levelled for Shelbourne in the 69th minute from Jack Henry-Francis. Waterford then made three changes across the second half, with a double switch on 78 minutes and Joe Ashton introduced on 85 minutes, and Lonergan’s late goal from Bernardo Piexoto Couto sealed it at 3-2. Shelbourne made changes of their own, with Marco Untergrabner replacing Evan Caffrey in the 39th minute and Ademipo Odubeko and Sean Boyd coming on in the 62nd and 63rd minutes.

The numbers told a close story despite Shelbourne’s territory. They had 75% possession, 686 passes and 7 corners to Waterford’s 25%, 216 and 2, while the shot count was 16-17 and shots on target 7-6. Waterford had the slightly higher xG at 1.59 to 1.41, and the home side made 3 saves to Waterford’s 5.

Discipline stayed fairly light, with Shelbourne booked once, Kameron Ledwidge on 59 minutes, and Waterford shown 3 yellow cards: Noah Mawene on 17 minutes, John Mahon on 27 minutes and H. Cann on 54 minutes. There were no red cards.