Crowe scores brace to send Shels top

Shelbourne 5 Waterford United 1

A stunning opener from Bobby Ryan and two goals from Glen Crowe helped Shelbourne cruise back to the top of the Premier Division table on goal difference ahead of champions Cork City, with a game in hand.

A dour first half came to life in stoppage time when Ryan took Ollie Cahill’s pass and beat Blues’ keeper Ben Spicer with a delightful curling shot.

Shels were far better on the resumption and doubled their lead on the hour when Colin Hawkins blasted home following a corner.

Substitute Mitchell Casey stunned Shels when he pulled a goal back within a minute.

But normal service resumed at the other end within a further two minutes when Jason Byrne set up Joseph Ndo to score for the third match running.

Byrne then put Crowe through on goal on 67 minutes to make it 4-1 before Crowe poached his second in time added on.

SHELBOURNE: Delaney; Heary, Hawkins (Harris 77), Dillon, Rogers; Ryan (Baker 77), S. Byrne (O’Halloran 54), Ndo, Cahill; Crowe, J. Byrne.

WATERFORD UNITED: Spicer; Flynn, Deans, Hayes, Young (Russell, 26, Casey 45); Fraher (Poleczak 80), Grant, Hughes, Kavanagh, Irwin; Doyle.

Referee: Declan Hanney (Dublin).