FORMER FINN Harps striker Michael O’Connor sent Waterford on their way to the FAI Cup quarter-finals as the Premier Division side ended Glengad’s Cup odyssey.
Glengad United 0 Waterford FC 2
by Charlie Collins at Maginn Park. Photos by Joe Boland, North West News Pix
The Inishowen League outfit held Waterford at bay until O’Connor struck twenty minutes from the end, while Cory Galvin added a second in the 80th minute.
O’Connor didn’t seem to get a proper connection on his attempt after Seamus Doherty’s headed clearance fell into his path. However, O’Connor’s effort crept past a number of bodies and beyond Kevin McLaughlin, the Glengad goalkeeper.
Terance Doherty forced a save from Matthew Connor, but Glengad’s goose was cooked when Galvin riffled home at the near post after Georgie Poynton robbed Stephen McLaughlin of possession.
Glengad almost pulled one back, but John Gerard McLaughlin’s header was hooked off the goal-line and Connor denied sub Connor Barrow.
Glengad were lucky to survive an early scare when Matthew Byrne’s clearance didn’t make it out of the danger zone, but a series of attempts by the visitors from the next play were charged down by some brave defending.
McLaughlin saved well from Galvin in the third minute as the Blues set the stall out early.
O’Connor drew a save from McLaughlin before the hosts fashioned a chance only for Terance Doherty to scoop over the crossbar from Stephen McLaughlin’s pass.
Glengad came inches from an equaliser on the half-hour when Galvin stepped around Finn McClure and saw his shot, which took a deflected off Seamus Doherty, come off the inside of the post and into the grateful arms of McLaughlin.
The busy Glengad net minder superbly tipped over a delicious effort from Sam Bone soon after while O’Connor drilled into the side netting just before the break.
McLaughlin was called into action just shy of the hour mark, but he thwarted Poynton’s powerful effort.
Waterford finally made their patience pay off when they hit the front through O’Connor.
Glengad United: Kevin McLaughlin, James McKinney, Finn McClure, John Gerard McLaughlin, Matthew Byrne, Dillon Ruddy (Connor Barrow 80), Stephen McLaughlin (Cathal McDaid 90), Seamus Doherty (Michael Byrne 78), Terance Doherty, Patrick McDermott, Christopher McLaughlin.
Waterford FC: Matthew Connor, Rory Feely (John Kavanagh 55), Kevin Lynch, Shane Duggan, Kenny Browne, Maxim Kouogon, Michael O’Connor, Cory Galvin, Walter Figueira (William Fitzgerald 76), Sam Bone (Tom Holland 70), Georgie Poynton.
