Finn Harps’ unbeaten run came to a sorry end as they were undone by a clinical Waterford side at the RSC on Friday night.
Waterford FC . . .7, Finn Harps . . . 1
Three-nil behind at the break, Harps conceded four more in a one-sided second half on a night to forget for the Ballybofey outfit.
It means their decent run of results comes to an abrupt end. Harps had gone into this game unbeaten in four games, but Waterford – playing under newly appointed manager Keith Long – had it all too easy.
The home side actually took a while to find their gear, but they broke the deadlock just before the half hour when Roland Idowu cut in from the left and hammered the ball home.
Up until that, Harps had been the better side and while they didn’t create too many chances, they played some good football.
But once they conceded a second on 44 minutes they looked doomed – Ellis Farrar heading a Ryan Burke free kick into his own net.
There was still time for a third before half time – former Harps player Killian Cantwell producing a wonderful finish from inside the area after another Waterford set-piece.
Nine minutes after the restart, Waterford scored a fourth when keeper Hiemer’s mistake was pounced on by Ronan Coughlan who was able to turn the ball home.
And after hitting the crossbar soon after, Idowu hit his second and his team’s fifth on 69 minutes, finding the corner of the net with another brilliant strike.
Substitute Conor Parsons got on the scoresheet three minutes after his introduction, converting to the net after Shane Griffin’s initial effort was blocked. Then Giles Phillips headed in their seventh on 81 minutes.
There were few positives to take from this Harps display, although it was a proud night for teenager Shaunie Bradley – son of former Harps favourite Shane – who came off the bench on the hour for his first senior appearance.
Okwuy Okwute scored his first Harps goal – nothing more than a consolation effort – when he scrambled the ball home on 85 minutes.
Waterford FC: Paul Martin, Ryan Burke, Niall O’Keefe, Killian Cantwell, Giles Phillips, Tunmise Sabowale (Harvey Warren 86), Ronan Coughlan (Wassim Aouachria 74), Roland Idowu, Shane Griffin (Romeo Akachukwu 86) Barry Baggley (Conor Parsons 74), Dean McMenamy.
Finn Harps: Tim-Oliver Hiemer, Caoimhin Porter, Ellis Farrar (Damian Duffy 84), Daithi McCallion, Noa Baba, Katlego Maghigo (Kevin Jordan 46), Seamus Keogh (Michael Harris 46), Ryan Rainey, Filip Da Silva (Shaunie Bradley 60), Okwuy Okwute (Shane McMonagle 84), Ryan Flood.
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.