Dean McMenamy and Connor Parsons strike to help Waterford tighten grip on third spot
Dundalk 0, Waterford 2
Dean McMenamy of Waterford celebrates after scoring his side's crucial second goal against Dundalk at Oriel Park. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
Things just keep getting better and better for Keith Long’s Waterford. Victory at Oriel Park – coupled with Shamrock Rovers’ loss out west – has them three points clear in third place now.
It’s heady stuff for a club who only returned to the top flight this season after two years away. Off-field upheaval concerning the club’s ownership is well-documented too. However, amidst that backdrop, Long is doing much more than making a mere fist of their first year back in the big time.
First-half strikes from Connor Parsons and Dean McMenamy helped the Blues to something of a smash-and-grab victory against Dundalk. Jon Daly’s side dominated the ball for much of the match but could not complete when it came to being clinical in front of goal.
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Waterford’s glimpses were few and far between in comparison to their hosts. Pádraig Amond had just one chance, a header that dropped wide of the upright early in the second half. By then, the game was all but won.
Parsons finished a breakaway move that began with Christie Pattisson burning debutant Seán Keogh for pace on the flank. Before referee Paul Norton blew the half-time whistle, McMenamy’s second goal of the season had the Blues in control.
From a free-kick, Dundalk’s wall was anything but robust. The former Shamrock Rovers youngster found the gap – and beat Scottish goalkeeper Ross Munro low to the Scot’s left.
John Mountney led the Lilywhite charge in the second half but as has so often been the case all season for his team, a goal was not forthcoming.
Dundalk: Munro; Davies, Johnson, Muller, Keogh; Doyle, Mountney; Horgan, Benson, O’Kane (Mahon, 73); Kenny (Elliott, 66).
Waterford: Sargeant; Power, Horton, Radkowski, Leahy; McDonald (McCourt, 89); Pattisson (Forde, 94), McMenamy, McCormack (O’Keeffe, 79), Parsons (Evans, 89); Amond.
Ref: Paul Norton
