Tolka Rovers dump Waterford United out of FAI Cup

Tolka Rovers 2 Waterford Utd 1

Underdogs Tolka Rovers dumped First Division strugglers Waterford United out of the FAI Cup at the second round stage on Friday night at Frank Cooke Park.

Rovers were the better side form the off and veteran midfielder Denis Moran fired the Leinster Senior League side ahead on 21 minutes by latching onto Adam Crowther's through ball and beating Matt Connor.

Crowther was once again the creator for the hosts' second six minutes after the break. When the striker raided down the left wing, he looked up and squared for Mark Townley to tap home from close range.

Waterford's top scorer Willie John Kiely pulled a goal back on 56 minutes by finding the roof of the net with a clinical finish after a defensive lapse provided the opening.

And the visitors were close to plundering an equaliser with 15 minutes left when substitute Anthony McAlevey's free-kick was pushed over the crossbar by Tolka goalkeeper Craig Sexton.

However, with Tolka’s former Manchester United trainee Alan McDermott dominant in defence, the Roddy Collins-managed side were deservedly eliminated and are left to concentrate on moving off the bottom of the table.

Tempers frayed in the closing stages with both Townley and McAlevey sent off by Referee Michael O’Connor in a frantic final eight minutes. The Tolka player received a straight red card for dissent while McAlevey incurred his second yellow card of the evening.

Still, the Dubliners held out for a memorable victory, much to the satisfaction of several supporters present who had backed their side as 8/1 outsiders.

TOLKA ROVERS: Sexton; Meleady, McDermott, Lynch, O'Reilly; Townley, Kelly, Moran (McGuinness 90), O'Neill, Gannon; Crowther.

WATERFORD UTD: Connor; Reidy (P Fitzgerald 75), Mernagh, Dineen, Corcoran; Boyle, Nolan; Peel (McAlevey 28), Hawe, Doherty (Rowe 52); Kiely.

Referee: M O'Connor