The Hoops signed off for the season at the Tallaght Stadium with an deserved 3-1 victory over Waterford. Goals from Dan Carr, Sean Boyd and an o.g. finally ensured third place in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division for Stephen Bradley’s charg
The Hoops signed off for the season at the Tallaght Stadium with an deserved 3-1 victory over Waterford.
Goals from Dan Carr, Sean Boyd and an o.g. finally ensured third place in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division for Stephen Bradley’s charges, on the night that the Player of the Year awards were handed out in the Glenmalure Suite.
After being denied an opener inside 90 seconds by an assistant referee’s flag, Rovers took a deserved 11th minute lead. Dan Carr breezed past Rory Feely on the left touchline. The London born striker scampered to the edge of the box and his low cross caused panic in the Waterford defence.
Gary Shaw tried to flick the ball in but Blues defender Gary Comerford probably got the final touch as the ball ended up in the net. Waterford played some nice passing football and actually carved out genuine chances for Dean O’Halloran and Rory Feely before Alan Reynolds’ men were undone by some sloppy defending in the 35th minute.
Dylan Watts floated a routine right wing free kick into the area. Carr seemed to be afforded the freedom of the Tallaght Stadium to sort his feet out and lift a shot high into the net past Niall Corbett.
Substitute Ismahil Akinade gave Waterford some hope with 16 minutes remaining. The former Bohs front man thumped home a copybook header from a glorious Dessie Hutchinson cross on the Waterford right.
But the Hoops struck late on through a firm Sean Boyd header from Finn’s cross to earn the extra prize money, although both sides will see Europe League action next term. Opposing managers Stephen Bradley and Alan Reynolds were both banished from the touchline early in the second half.
There was an exchange of views but it didn’t appear particularly heated. However, they both watched the last half an hour of the action form the main stand. Seven yellow cards were flashed as well, even though this third place decider seemed to be played in a reasonably good spirit all through.
