A classy Shamrock Rovers overcame a stubborn Waterford side at a sun-drenched RSC to go third in the table, finding themselves just five points behind leaders Galway United.
A Katie O'Reilly brace either side of an Emily Corbet strike proved the difference over a side who more than played their part.
In a rearranged clash that was originally postponed due to international call-ups, both sets of players were tested physically in swetering conditions on the sunny south east.
Following an impressive clean sheet away at Dalymount Park on Saturday, Gary Hunt’s side looked to avenge the ghosts of last season when they were defeated 8-1 and 7-1 and signalled their intentions early on, pressing high and saw a shot from Keira Burke try her luck from distance.
Knowing a win would overtake Dublin rivals Shelbourne on goal difference, Rovers, minus Ellen Molloy who is enjoying her loan spell at Pittsburgh Riveters SC, sprung to life rattling the post when the lightning quick Ella Kelly found O’Reilly at the back post, who proceeded to smash the frame of the goal.
Despite the early scare, the Blues made it to the first water break more than holding their own, putting some nice passages of play together.
But having gotten a strong word or two from boss James O’Callaghan, Rovers upped the tempo immediately. Jamie Thompson struck the crossbar from 25-yards out, and on the half hour mark, his side got the breakthrough.
Kelly burst down the left and cleverly squared to the back post, finding O’Reilly who slotted home from close range.
Looking to double their lead before the break, the visitors conjured up a couple of half chances with young keeper Mollie Levingston, who made a penalty save on her debut against Rovers last year, looking very assured coming in for Maeve Williams.
As the shadow gradually crept across the ground, much to the relief of both sets of players, the second half started at a blistering pace.
Having her own personal player of the match battle with team-mate Kelly, O’Reilly was unlucky not to double her tally straight from the restart, cutting in from the right and unleashing a powerful strike that was well held by Levingston.
The hosts spurned a great chance to equalise when Chloe Atkinson got in behind the Hoops rearguard but saw her touch let her down at the crucial moment.
That was compounded when Corbet found space in the area to notch her second of the season , following some excellent work down the left by Therese Kinnevey.
O’Reilly then made sure of the three points when she grabbed her second of the balmy evening with twenty minutes remaining, as her close range effort proved too powerful for the helpless Levingston.
Waterford: Mollie Levingston; Stephanie Dumevi, Danielle Burke, Meadhbh Doherty; Aisling Mahony (Olivia Shannon, 70’), Keira Burke (Kaytlin Conroy, 85’), Mia Lenihan, Leah O’Donoghue (Issy Walsh, 70’), Caoimhe Carley (Fiana Bradley, 46’); Jessica Lawlor (Lauren Egbuloniu, 70’), Chloe Atkinson
Shamrock Rovers: Amanda Budden: Lauryn O’Callaghan, Roisin McGovern, Maria Reynolds, Therese Kinnevey; Kassie McLoughlin (Anna Butler, 55’), Jaime Thompson (Alice Buggle, 78’); Katie O’Reilly (Mia Gaff, 85’), Sadhbh Doyle (Taylor White, 85’), Ella Kelly; Emily Corbet (Della Cowper-Gray, 78’)
Referee: Ian O’Keefe
