Waterford win promotion in extra-time against Cork City

Ronan Coughlan was the hero as extra-time specialists Waterford sealed a Premier Division return and relegated Munster rivals Cork City in the process.

The Limerick native’s 101st-minute penalty ended the Blues’ tale of play-off heartbreak to restore their top-flight status after a two-year absence.

His 37th goal of the season gave them a deserving victory over a Leeside outfit robbed of their own top-scorer Ruairí Keating in a luckless first half.

They still managed to take the lead through Cian Coleman in the 55th minute but were pegged back by a Connor Parsons stunner from outside the box.

It means a second relegation for City in four seasons as they return to the First Division for the third time in their history. They were booed off by the travelling support among the 4,032 attendance at Tallaght Stadium.

Richie Holland opted for Ireland Under-21 international Tiernan Brooks in goal ahead of Ollie Byrne, while City right-back Kevin Custovic wasn’t fit to play a part. Waterford, meanwhile, lined up with an unchanged team from their extra-time victory over Cobh Ramblers.

There was a moment’s applause before kick-off for Cork football great Miah Dennehy, the first player to ever score a hat-trick in an FAI Cup final. He did so in the 1972 decider as Cork Hibernians overcame Waterford United 3-0.

A repeat of that result was unlikely from the start as the Blues looked the Premier Division side. They turned over City at will in the opposition half and targeted them down the right flank.

Brooks beat away a dangerous cross-shot from Roland Idowu before Parsons won a free-kick from Conor Drinan in a similar position. Derik Osede couldn’t turn the ball home in the frantic goalmouth scramble.

The City back-four were looking unsteady