Vital win for St Patrick's

St Patrick's Athletic 2 Waterford United 1: A goal in each half saw St Pat's pick up three valuable points at Inchicore last night.

Depending on other results, victory could have sent Waterford to third in the Premier Division table and, following their victory at the same ground over Shamrock Rovers two weeks ago, the Munster side were fancied to come away with at least a draw.

But Pat's, despite their lowly position, were always due a win at some stage given their midweek acquisitions and club manager John McDonnell handed starts to both Brendan Markey and Robert Doyle - with Paul Osam making his long-awaited return to midfield after a long lay-off through injury.

However, Osam was forced to retire at half-time with the former player of the year struggling at times in what was a very competitive middle third.

Certainly, Waterford did not hold back, with the impressive David Mulcahy picking up an early booking following a rather enthusiastic challenge on Pat's goalkeeper Chris Adamson.

The former Kilkenny City captain - having made the successful transition from defence into midfield - was Waterford's most influential player of the first half.

But with Keith Fahey and on-loan Mark Quinless beginning to dominate the midfield, the breakthrough for St Patrick's was not long in coming.

Fahey had won the ball just outside the box before releasing Adrian O'Keeffe out wide on 17 minutes.

And O'Keeffe took his chance to claim his seventh of the season. Having cut in from the left, he beat Dan Connor with a wonderfully guided effort that went in off the left-hand post.

Waterford United had the chance to level proceedings shortly before the break, when Mulcahy just fired over the bar, but 10 minutes after the restart St Patrick's Athletic extended their lead when Robert Doyle got in ahead of the goalkeeper to find the net via the underside of the crossbar.

However, Waterford finished well with Jose Quitongo's 86th-minute goal making for a pulsating finish.

In the dying seconds, Chris Anderson was forced to make a point-blank save after Pat Purcell had shot from five yards out.

ST PATRICKS ATHLETIC: Adamson; Quigley, Foley, Maguire, Byrne; Quinless, Osam, Fahey, O'Keeffe, Markey, Doyle. Subs: Prenderville for Osam (half time); Dunne for Doyle (70 mins); Bell for O'Keeffe (79).

WATERFORD UNITED: Connor; Coleman, Breen, Purcell, Carey; Quitongo, O'Brien, Waters, Mulcahy; Murphy, Bruton. Subs: Clifford for O'Brien (half time); Whelan for Bruton (61 mins); Grant for Carey (85).

Referee: A Kelly (Cork).

There are three Division One games scheduled for today.

Kildare County will be hoping striker Darren McKenna continues his fine form when they host Galway United at Station Road.

Limerick travel to the Showgrounds to take on Sligo Rovers and Kilkenny City host UCD at Buckley Park.