Waterford FC 1 Galway United 1

Waterford FC will have to come through another playoff if they are to retain their SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division status following a entertaining draw against Galway United in front of a packed RSC.

Interim manager Matt Lawlor recalled Grant Horton following the suspension that saw him miss last week’s draw against St Pat’s while Kyle Whyte was also back in the starting eleven with Nav Bakboord and Jess Dempsey dropping to the bench.

The home side were rocked on sixteen minutes when David Hurley delivered an inch perfect cross for Stephen Walsh and the Galway striker headed across Stephen McMullan to find the net.

However, the home side didn’t panic and kept to their game plan though they nearly fell two behind just after the half hour when a good run from Jimmy Keohane on the left saw him find Patrick Hickey whose shot was blocked but teh rebound fell to Walsh who tried to place it into the top corner but the ball came back off the woodwork and was scrambled away.

Waterford got back on level terms six minutes later when Conan Noonan found Podge Amond with a pinpoint cross at the back post and the Blues’ captain powered his header past Brendan Clarke for a deserved equaliser and his fourteenth goal of the season.

A rear guard action from the visitors kept Clarke’s goal at bay as Waterford continually pushed forward seeking a lead goal with Dean McMenamy coming close on three occasions firing just over the bar each time while Conan Noonan did likewise when he wrapped his foot around a James Olayinka pass.

John Caulfield managed the bench really well and despite six minutes of additional time, the Blues could not break down the defence and the full time whistle confirmed their finishing position of ninth place and a playoff against Treaty United or Bray Wanderers next Friday night.

Waterford FC: S McMullan, K Radkowski (M Smith 62′), D Leahy, R Burke, G Horton, K Whyte (M Faal 81′), S Glenfield (D McMenamy 46′), J Olayinka (T Coyle 87′), C Noonan, T Lonergan, P Amond

Galway United: B Clarke, K Brouder, S Walsh, D Hurley (R Slevin 69′), P Hickey, R Burns, J Keohane (A Piesold 78′), E McCarthy (C McCormack 69′), G Buckley, J Essua, A Bolger (C Horgan 90′)

Referee: P McLaughlin (Monaghan)

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