Sligo Rovers 1 Waterford United 0:Waterford United's long season finally caught up with them at the Showgrounds as they bowed out of the FAI Cup thanks to a 1-0 semi-final defeat at the hands of Sligo Rovers.
The Division One side gave as good as they got in the first half but Paul Cook’s introduction of Owen Morrison after the break sparked some life into his side and Matthew Blinkhorn got the winner with 15 minutes to go.
It was no more than the homeside deserved after Morrison’s introduction on the right shifted Romauld Boco to right back.
Eddie Sullivan had the ball in the Sligo net in the 59th minute but was correctly ruled to have fouled Ciaran Kelly in the Rovers goal.
After that it was all Sligo and, in particular, Morrison, who signalled his intent with a sharp turn and shot in the box, only to be denied by the legs of Kevin Burns.
The 19-year-old goalkeeper was called on again soon afterwards and brilliantly tipped over Gavin Peers’s header from Morrison’s corner.
Morrison then found Blinkhorn with a perfectly weighted ball in behind the defence but the striker headed wide in what was almost a blueprint for the winner.
On the right again, Morrison cut inside and looked to the backpost before hanging a ball up for Blinkhorn.
The striker outjumped the Waterford defence and powered his header goalwards, leaving Burns with no chance.
Waterford looked to get back in the game but there were too many tired legs out there for Stephen Henderson’s side and it was Sligo who progressed.
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