The frustration was palpable at Richmond Park last night as St Patrick's Athletic's UEFA Cup hopes took a dent as Waterford eased their relegation worries.

St Patrick's manager Pat Dolan's agitation was evident before the match even began with an astonishing piece in the match programme criticising Irish youth team manager - and manager of the Inchicore club for 10 years - Brian Kerr for insisting on employing the five-day international release clause which deprived St Patrick's of both Des Byrne and Robbie McGuinness, who are needed for next Wednesday's under-18 UEFA play-off in France.

And Dolan's ire was hardly damped by this patchy display against a Waterford side which came and got what they desired.