Kildare County were within sight of their first win of the campaign as they ignored the form-book in an exciting game at the RSC, but Waterford United twice came from behind and then stole the points with an injury-time goal.
Kildare opened the scoring on the half-hour when Paul Donnelly volleyed a powerful shot through a crowded goalmouth from 20 yards. The ball had been dangerously bobbing about the United area for what seemed like an entirety prior to Donnelly’s strike, and should have been cleared by the hesitant defence.
United struggled for long periods but they finally clicked into gear and equalised on 58 minutes when Kenny Browne directed a flashing header past goalkeeper Charlie Treacy from eight yards following a free by Michael Foley out on the right wing.
But Kildare retained their shape and composure and regained the lead on 65 minutes when a superb ball from Colin Fortune split the United defence. Ciaran Kilduff stormed though to unleash a low, hard shot that was only parried by Holden and the inrushing Cathal Brady stabbed the rebound into the net.
But the Blues rallied again and in an almost replica passage of play to his first goal, Browne headed the equaliser on 84 minutes. Barry Clancy fouled Joe Mulcahy out on the right wing and, again, Foley floated over the free and Browne rose to head firmly to the net.
A minute into injury-time, Sullivan latched on to a beautifully weighted David Breen ball over the defence and, after taking it down on his chest, he calmly steered his shot into the net from close range.
Waterford United: Holden, Quigley, Clarke, Breen, Brown, Warren, McCarthy (Dunphy, 81 minutes), Bermingham (Mulcahy, 74 minutes), Sullivan, Kiely, Foley (Waters, 93 minutes). Substitutes not used: Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick.
Kildare County: Treacy, Fortune, Broderick (Harte, 56 minutes), Roche, Clancy (Slattery, 88 minutes), Donnelly, Brophy, Clarke, Gorman, Brady, Kilduff (Robinson, 70 minutes). Substitutes not used: Mooney, O’Neill.
Referee: Mark Gough, Limerick.
