Report: Waterford Utd 3 - 1 Limerick 37

For the first time, the presence of Mike Kerley as a manager in an RSC dugout resulted in three points for Waterford United. A brace from Willie John Kiely and one from Karl Bermingham sent the home side top of the table and consigned Limerick 37 to a comprehensive 3-1 defeat.

However, this wasn't a complete cakewalk for The Blues. The away side put up stubborn resistance before Kiely's 44th minute header from a silver-plated cross by Foley. In fact, prior to Kiely's opener the visitors had the better of a drab opening.

It hardly aided the flow of the game that five yard passes along the deck resulted in the recipient nearly being decapitated by a ball that had to travel over a surface with more bumps than an anti natal class. Limerick's back four, with Wayne Colbert providing an effective shield, frustrated the home side who struggled to find space and forge any sort of coherent attacks.

Limerick had the first meaningful effort on goal when Paul Danaher's 20th minute header from Brendan Daly's corner went over Holden's bar when the defender should have done better. The home side huffed and puffed but struggled to find the key to unlock Kerley's defensive strategy. A trilogy of tame efforts from the 25th minute was as close as any side came to breaking the deadlock between then and the opening goal. First the impressive Colbert found Fogarty and the number eleven laid the ball off for Darren Harrington to fire straight at Holden.

Waterford instantly leapt from their coma with Robbie Clarke and Michael Foley linking well before the latter found Kiely twenty yards from goal. The hit man's first touch was sublime but his strike sponge-soft leaving David Ryan with an easy save. A minute later the ever threatening Foley whipped in a pinpoint cross but Kieran Fitzgerald couldn't get enough power behind his header to trouble Ryan. With the game hurtling towards half time and the home supporters checking the small print on their tickets for a money back guarantee, Kiely struck to hand United a precious lead.

The second half's umbilical chord had barely been cut before Limerick should have equalised. Fogarty's inch-perfect defence-splitter found former Blues' striker Willie Bruton who had stolen in behind the Waterford rearguard. With Kenny Browne struggling to make up ground, Bruton soon found himself staring at the whites of Packie Holden's eyes but the number ten shot straight at Holden with the goal at his mercy. It was to be Limerick's last shot at redemption. Eleven minutes later the three points were having their passport stamped by Waterford customs.

Man of the match Dave Warren picked up an intricate ball from Foley and surged through the Limerick defence like the proverbial hot knife before finding an unmarked Bermingham. The target-man steadied himself before firing through Ryan's legs to double The Blues' advantage. Kerley responded with a triple substitution and despite Manjor going close before fellow substitute David Ryan was denied by a last gasp Gary Dunphy tackle, Limerick were always second best.

Ten minutes from time Kiely bagged his third, and most impressive, goal in two games. Dunphy's free was half-cleared before David Breen headed across goal to find Kiely who beautifully side-footed his volley beyond a helpless Ryan.

Three minutes later Bermingham turned Tommy Barrett before going down under a challenge reeking desperation from the Limerick defender. Referee Derek Tomney was unmoved and an incensed Bermingham left the official in no doubt as to what he thought of the decision. To the astonishment of the crowd and Waterford dugout the referee showed Bermingham a straight red for his troubles.

Tomney further invoked the ire of Waterford when, deep into injury time, he awarded Limerick a spot-kick after Colbert hit the deck under a clumsy Kenny Browne challenge. Shane Treacy duly dispatched the penalty for a consolation goal with the last kick of the game. Kerley's search for three points at the RSC goes on.

Waterford United: Packie Holden; Stephen Quigley, David Breen, Kenny Browne, Robbie Clarke; Dave Warren (Kevin Waters, 76), Kieran Fitzgerald (Gary Dunphy, 59), Paul McCarthy (Luke Fitzpatrick, 46), Michael Foley; Karl Bermingham, Willie John Kiely.
Subs not used: Joe Mulcahy, David Grincell.

Booked: Kiely (53).
Sent Off: Bermingham (83).

Limerick 37: Dave Ryan; Peter White (Ross Cosgrave, 62), Paul Danaher, Tommy Barrett, Corie Treacy; Liam Barrett, Wayne Colbert, Brendan Daly, Darren Harrington (Chimka Manjor, 62); Willie Bruton, Paraic Fogarty (David Ryan, 62).
Subs not used: Kevin Fitzpatrick, Brian Cleary.

Booked: Colbert (86).

Referee: Derek Tomney.