Sullivan hat-trick shatters Everton dream of cup glory

Everton (Cork) 1 Waterford United 3

Sullivan, born in Dungarvan and enjoying his second season with Waterford after three years in Scotland with Celtic and Livingston, was in dynamic form and his skill and mobility proved too much for Everton to contain.

Waterford had need of his skill for they were rocked by Everton’s high-tempo start. They might have conceded three goals in the opening ten minutes while their defence dithered.

They were fortunate to concede only one and it was no more than Everton deserved for some enterprising football. Their play was invested with a touch of style by the clever one-touch distribution of Aidan O’Connell in midfield and the elusive running of Lawrence Fitzpatrick on the right wing.

The goal came after four minutes and was welcomed exuberantly by a team that showed little signs early on that they were still out of season. Fitzpatrick won a jump on the edge of the penalty area to head on a ball which was volleyed to the net by Richard O’Shea past a startled Dan Connor.

The diminutive Fitzpatrick’s ability to rise above the Waterford defenders in such a threatening position pointed to an obvious shortcoming in Waterford’s attitude. And, before the exhortations from the sideline and the possibility of a shock result had encouraged a more healthy work ethic, they were happy to see Michael Donnelly avert danger by heading outside from the enterprising Fitzpatrick and goalkeeper Connor save well from David Welch.

It fell to Vinny Sullivan to show Waterford the way. He was sharp and decisive in all his work and his sniping runs kept Michael Moynihan and Ray Leahy on their toes. He claimed Waterford’s equalising goal in the 16th minute when he knocked the ball past goalkeeper Denis Kavanagh following a right-wing corner from Alan Reilly. He then produced a glorious second when he fired one from 25 yards high into the net 11 minutes later.

Everton refused to betray their good footballing instincts and their attractive work in attack ensured the contest was always interesting and entertaining. They lacked the cutting edge that was given to Waterford by the persistent Sullivan.

He was given a fortunate opportunity of completing his hat-trick when Waterford were the beneficiaries of a generous refereeing decision. Ray Leahy was penalised for a tackle on Mark Clifford, but Sullivan drove his penalty attempt wide.

Sullivan’s high-quality performance was validated by a superb third goal in the 60th minute. Reilly played Kevin Waters into space on the left and he exploited the opportunity with a speeding cross that was turned into the net with impressive authority by the alert Sullivan.

EVERTON (4-4-2): Kavanagh; McGrath, Moynihan, Leahy, Hutchinson (Cronin 77); Fitzpatrick, O’Connell, Horan, Murray; Welch, O’Shea (O’Connell 83).

WATERFORD UNITED (4-4-2): Connor; McLoughlin, Breen, Byrne, Donnelly; O’Brien, Rudden (Rockett 90), Clifford, Waters; Sullivan, Reilly (Hughes 86).

Referee: D. Deady (Cork).