Waterford sweep Sligo aside to reach FAI Cup semi-finals
Páraig Amond opened the scoring for Waterford against Sligo. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Waterford FC powered their way into the semi-finals of the Club Orange FAI Men's Cup for the first time since 2022 with an impressive 3-0 victory over Sligo Rovers at the RSC on Friday night.
Goals from Pádraig Amond and Tommy Lonergan, along with an unfortunate Ollie Denham own goal, sealed a deserved win for Graham Coughlan's men, who produced an excellent second-half display to pull away from stubborn opposition and keep their hopes of cup glory alive.
The Blues made a dream start when they broke the deadlock after just eight minutes. Conan Noonan's delivery to the back post was headed across goal by Lonergan into the path of Amond. Although Sam Sargeant did well to block the striker's initial header, the rebound fell kindly and Amond reacted quickest to steer a right-footed effort home from close range.
Waterford looked comfortable in the early stages but were given a major warning on 13 minutes. Benny Couto's misplaced pass gifted possession to Luke Pearce and the Sligo forward surged through on goal. Stephen McMullan came to the rescue for the hosts, producing an important save at the attacker's feet to preserve the advantage.
Sligo settled after that scare and enjoyed their best spell of the game during the remainder of the first half. The visitors monopolised possession for lengthy periods but struggled to create meaningful openings against a disciplined Waterford defence.
Their closest opportunity arrived six minutes before the break when Seb Quirk drove forward and delivered a dangerous cross into the penalty area. Archie Meekison attempted to meet it at the far post but could not get the decisive touch.
Waterford nearly doubled their lead moments before half-time through Amond. The striker was picked out by Jorgen Voilas and unleashed a powerful strike from 16 yards that appeared destined for the net until Carl McHugh produced a superb goal-line clearance to keep Sligo within a goal at the interval.
Any hopes the visitors had of mounting a comeback disappeared within 14 minutes of the restart as Waterford struck twice to seize complete control.
The second goal arrived five minutes into the half. Couto released Noonan down the left and his cross found Voilas at the back post. The wing-back nodded the ball down into the path of Lonergan, who made no mistake from 10 yards with a composed right-footed finish beyond Sargeant.
The Blues were now playing with confidence and purpose, moving the ball sharply and pinning Sligo deep inside their own half. Their pressure was rewarded again in the 59th minute.
Noah Mawene started the move by feeding McLaughlin on the left flank. The winger burst forward before whipping a dangerous cross across the face of goal. Denham attempted to cut out the delivery but could only divert the ball beyond his own goalkeeper to leave Waterford 3-0 in front.
The hosts almost produced a fourth goal three minutes later. Couto was again at the heart of the move, laying the ball into McLaughlin's path on the edge of the area. The winger struck a fierce effort that looked bound for the top corner until Sargeant produced an outstanding fingertip save to turn it over the crossbar.
Sligo's best chance of the second half came with 19 minutes remaining when substitute Alex Nolan tried his luck from distance. His left-footed strike flashed narrowly past McMullan's left-hand post, but it proved to be little more than a brief threat.
With the outcome no longer in doubt, Waterford comfortably managed the closing stages and Coughlan was able to empty his bench as the home supporters began to celebrate.
When the final whistle arrived, the Blues had secured a convincing victory and a deserved place in the last four, where they will now be just one win away from a return to the Aviva Stadium.
McMullan; Cann (Amedu 88), Mahon, Long; Voilas, Mawene (Heeney 85), McLaughlin (McMenamy 71), Noonan, Couto (Ashton 88); Amond (Brennan 85), Lonergan.
Sargeant; McElroy, McHugh (Young 64), Denham, Stewart (Cannon 85); George (Nolan 64), McManus, Quirk, Meekison (Woolery 75), Shorrock; Pearce.
Rob Hennessy Attendance: 2,566
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