McCormack stuns Pat's to continue Waterford push

A majestic second-half defensive performance saw Keith Long’s side to three points

4 July 2024; Mason Melia of St Patrick's Athletic in action against Darragh Leahy, right, and Dean McMenany of Waterford during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Waterford and St Patrick's Athletic at the Regional Sports Centre in Waterford. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Waterford 1 (McCormack 52’) St Patrick’s Athletic 0

A majestic second-half defensive performance from Waterford FC saw Keith Long’s side continue the push up the table as Ben McCormack’s deflected header settled their SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division meeting with St. Patrick’s Athletic at a hopping RSC.

After playing second best for much of the first half, the home side had their backs to the walls in the final ten or so minutes as they tried to hold onto McCormack’s breakthrough effort, but their defence held firm to come away with a stunning win.

It was the visitors that cut out early of the early running in the game with Ruairi Keating setting up Brandon Kavanagh for the first chance on two minutes only for Sam Sargeant to save his low shot from the top of the area before Mason Melia headed a Jake Mulraney left-wing cross over the bar on 17 minutes.

The top of the woodwork denied Stephen Kenny’s side the lead goal as they continued to press for the opener six minutes later when midfielder Chris Forrester cracked in a shot from 25-yards that had keeper Sargeant beaten, but the ball struck the crossbar before going over.

St. Pat’s went close to the breakthrough goal once again on 29 minutes when Forrester picked up possession of the ball on the top of the penalty area, but with Sam Sargeant rooted to his spot, the ball flashed inches wide of the left-hand upright.

Joseph Anang was called into action to make a smart save to deny the home side on 40 minutes when he kept out a half-volley from Padraig Amond before Darragh Leahy had to be alert at the other end two minutes to clear an effort from Jake Mulraney off the line.

The second-half was seven minutes old when Waterford broke the deadlock. Darragh Leahy found space for himself out on the left before putting a super cross to the near post where Ben McCormack’s hit the post before the ball unfortunately rebounded off the keeper that took it over the line.

McCormack was in the thick of the action once again on 62 minutes when he reacted to an Amond pass down the left, but keeper Anang kept out his stinging effort at his near post, but despite pressing for that equalising goal, the saints were kept at bay by a Waterford side that deserved their win.

Waterford FC: Sargeant; Power, Horton, Radkowski, Leahy; McDonald, McCormack (McCourt 69), McMenamy; Pattisson (Arubi 90), Amond, Parsons (Evans 90).

St. Patricks’ Athletic: Anang; Breslin (Kazeem 79), Redmond, Grivosti, Sjoberg; Lennon (Palmer 79), B Kavanagh (C Kavanagh 79), Mulraney (Leavy 51), Melia; Keating (Nolan 65), Forrester.

Referee: Rob Hennessy (Dublin).

Attendance: 2786