FAI Cup Second round/ Tolka Rovers 2 Waterford United 2: The romance of the cup was very much in evidence last night as Tolka Rovers almost brought off the first big shock of the second round at Frank Cooke Park.
Twice they came from behind to deservedly earn a replay next Tuesday night against a Waterford side that struggled to mirror their Premier reputation.
Whether Tolka Rovers can match this intensity again remains to be seen but they must be given tremendous credit for their application. They attacked every ball, distributed intelligently and caused endless headaches for the visiting defence.
Ray Whelehan was immense in midfield and, along with winger Ger McCarthy and Chris Barbour, orchestrated his side's best work. Despite dominating and forcing Waterford deep, Vinny Sullivan fired home for Waterford after Robbie Hedderman's cross was poorly dealt with in the box.
However, Rovers' confidence never wained and they were rewarded just after the hour when Whelehan unleashed an unstoppable shot from distance. Just as the celebrations were dying down Waterford regained the lead when Dave Warren's 30-yard effort hit the net.
With eight minutes remaining Kenny Browne and John Hayes combined to bundle Ray Kearns's cross over their own line.
TOLKA ROVERS: Cranley; Muleady, P Quinn, Cummins, B Kelly (Garvan, 69 mins); McCarthy (G Quinn, 69 mins), Whelehan, Barbour, Kearns; D Kelly (Doyle, 80 mins), Maher.
WATERFORD UNITED: Delaney, Flynn, Hedderman, Browne, Hayes (Keely, 84 mins), Warren, Mulcahy, McCarthy, Sullivan, Harte (Kavanagh, 55 mins), Brosnan (Scully, 72 mins).
Referee: T Connolly(Dublin)
