Waterford see off Sligo in five-goal thriller

A somewhat stagnant Sligo Rovers suffered the opening night blues as Waterford came away with the points following an action packed game at the Showgrounds.

The visitors won this game by the odd goal in five. Goals from Rowan McDonald and Tommy Lonergan had Keith Long's side well ahead at the break.

But an amazing opening to the second half saw Owen Elding pull Sligo back into this one before the Bit O'Red went on to miss a penalty shortly before Waterford claimed their third and the eventual winner courtesy of Conan Noonan.

Rovers pulled one back through a debut strike from Jad Hakiki eight minutes from time, but the RSC side held on for a huge three points.

Having lost a number of key players including Ed McGinty, Ellis Chapman and club skipper Niall Morahan to Dublin rivals, it was an unfamiliar Sligo side which lined out for this one.

As with the last three winters since his appointment, manager John Russell has been forced to replace poached talent, bringing in nine new players over the off-season.

Of those nine, five made their first starts namely goalkeeper Sam Sargeant against his former club. While Oskar Van Hattum, Matty Wolfe, Jad Hakiki and Cian Kavanagh all made their competitive bows.

Looking to improve on a solid first season since their promotion in 2023, the visitors also handed debuts to five recent signings having themselves brought in nine new faces over the winter break. Noonan, Stephen McMullan, Navajo Bakboord, Andy Boyle and Tom Lonergan each making their first starts.

Rovers' home form was key to a 2024 season in which they over-performed many expectations, but the hosts suffered significant opening night jitters in the first half of this encounter.

Long's side dominated the opening 45 without having to