Limerick champions as Blues shocked

Waterford United 1 Mervue United 2

Pat Scully’s side take on Longford Town at Flancare Park tonight (kick off– 7.30pm) and there is sure to be a party atmosphere for the Shannonsiders as they win automatic promotion to the top division.

The Shannonsiders had Mervue sub Alan Murphy to thank for their triumph as he struck the winning goal two minutes into injury-time to inflict a play-off on Waterford, against Dundalk.

Waterford’s Peter White had a goal disallowed after a foul in the penalty area on 65 minutes and it was Mervue struck for the lead goal less than 30 seconds later. Etanda Nkololo took advantage of a mistake by Blues defender Seamus Long before drilling a shot under the legs of Packie Holden from ten yards.

Referee Keith Callanan harshly sent off Waterford United defender Seamus Long on 72 minutes when he deemed his tackle on goalscorer Etanda Nkololo to be late and dangerous.

The home side were back on level terms less than three minutes later when centre-forward Seanie Maguire was hacked down on the edge of the area and Gary Dempsey’s stunning free-kick gave keeper Ger Hanley no chance.

WATERFORD UNITED: Holden; Mernagh (Carey, 34), Burns, Long, Frost; Higgins (Breen, 76), Dempsey, White, Phelan; Walshe, Maguire.

MERVUE UNITED: Hanley; Walsh, Kelly, Conneely, McSweeney; Varley, Molloy, Hoban, King, Biansumba (Murphy, 61); Nkololo (McBride, 90).

Referee: Keith Callanan (Cork).