REPORT | Waterford 1-0 Galway United

Waterford FC 1 – 0 Galway United

SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division – Friday 9th May 2025

A first half header by Darragh Leahy was the difference, as United fell to defeat at the RSC on Friday night, in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.

In a physical affair, it was the hosts who started the brighter, as they dominated possession and territory in the opening exchanges.

Despite the early home pressure, United had the ball in the Waterford goal in the 10th minute. Cian Byrne saw his header deflected into the back of the net, but referee, Paul Norton, ruled the goal out for a foul in the Blues box. 

John Caulfield’s side went close again moments later, but Patrick Hickey’s header just went over Stephen McMullan’s crossbar. 

Just over ten minutes later, Padraig Amond had a glorious opportunity to give the Southeast side the lead. The Carlow man found himself in behind the away side’s defence, after some neat build up play, but his left footed effort from a tight angle was saved by Clarke. 

Moments later, the home side did take the lead, in the 27th minute, as Darragh Leahy’s header found its way past Clarke in the United goal, following a Noonan corner. 

Despite falling behind, United grew back into the game, and Moses Dyer almost levelled matters in the 38th minute, but his close-range effort went wide, following some good play by Byrne.

Both sides created half chances before the break, but it was the hosts that led 1-0, at half-time.

It was the visitors who started the second half the better, and half-time substitute Ed McCarthy came close to levelling matters in the 47th minute, but his effort was saved by McMullan, after a brilliant cross by Jeannot Esua. 

Despite a really good start to the half by Caulfield’s charges, Amond had a huge opportunity to double the home side’s lead in the 53rd minute. The former Newport County man got in behind the United defence following a long ball, however his effort was smartly saved once again by Clarke. 

United started to turn the screw in the final 20 minutes but struggled to create any clear opening.

Minutes later, Killian Brouder was next to go close for United after the hosts failed to clear the danger, but his effort hit the side netting. 

With just over five minutes remaining Noonan had a brilliant chance to double the home side’s lead. After some good play by Amond down the right flank, Noonan’s effort from five yards out was incredibly saved by Clarke.

Moments later, McMullan made an outstanding save from a United free-kick, to deny the away side an equiliser.

United pushed for an equiliser, but it wasn’t to be, as the home side took all three points.

Next up for the Tribesmen is the Connacht derby against Sligo Rovers at Eamonn Deacy Park, next Friday at 7.45pm.