A season that had promised the heady reward of promotion ended in somewhat dismal and deflating fashion for Waterford United at Kingspan Century on Saturday night where Monaghan United ran out winners.
Below strength and lacking motivation, Waterford struggled from the off against an in-form Monaghan who deservedly went ahead in the 24th minute.
Centre-back Brian Gartland broke up a Waterford attack and went on a surging run deep into the opposing half. His eventual pass found on-song Andy Haran who curled a first-time shot
into the bottom corner from the rim of the box.
Gareth Cronin’s men managed to find some form before half-time, David Grincell getting in a powerful header in a crowded box that flashed past Monaghan ‘keeper Brendan Kennedy but was cleared off the line by full-back Barry Clancy.
A minute after the interval Monaghan struck their killer blow.
Midfielder Sean Brennan conjured up a stunning lob-
volley from just inside the box that left Waterford keeper Ben Spicer completely helpless.
The second goal knocked the heart out of the visitors, although Willy John Kiely battled gamely for openings and was twice unlucky when Monaghan defensive lapses presented him with half-chances.
Spicer produced a stunning save to prevent Andy Haran extending Monaghan’s lead with a vicious first-time drive in the 74th minute.
Excellent chances fell to Daragh Hanaphy and substitute Kieran Reilly in the final ten minutes as Monaghan played the ball around the pitch with some expression, but poor finishing meant they couldn’t convert their dominance of the concluding stages into further goals.
Monaghan United: Kennedy; McMahon, Mooney, Gartland; Whelan (Williamson 70), Tierney, Brennan (Reilly, 80), O’Connor, Clancy; Hanaphy (Hand, 84), Haran.
Waterford United: Spicer; Fitzgerald, (Quigley 68) Fitzpatrick, Waters, Clarke; Dunphy (Mulcahy 59), Warren, Bermingham, Kiely; Sullivan, Grincell.
Referee: P Caschera (Dublin).
