Braces by Connor Parsons and Ronan Coughlan, plus Eddie Nolan and Roland Idowu strikes, ensured it was another RSC trip to forget for Finn Harps as Waterford cruised to a 6-1 victory.

Having lost the two previous meetings this season 11-1 on aggregate, if Harps were haunted going into this fixture, it immediately showed. 

A tepid start punished instantly by a beautifully executed, curler into the top corner from Connor Parsons as Waterford hit the front three minutes in. 

Romeo Akachuwu was proving a real thorn in the side of Harps’ defence as the home side started like a team keen to atone for last week’s loss to Cobh Ramblers.

As the hosts racked up the corners, gamely defended by a battered away side, they next came closest after a scintillating counterattack, Parsons poking it through to Roland Idowu only for Noe Baba’s block. 

But that was rendered immaterial seconds later as from the resultant corner, Harps hesitant in their clearing and punished as the ball dropped perfectly for Parsons who poked home his second.

Having enjoyed a brace against them in Finn Park, Ronan Coughlan then joined the party, strolling through non-existent tackles, setting himself calmly and slotting past Heimer with nonchalant ease. 

Deja va for Dave Rogers and Finn Harps fans at the RSC. 

On the half hour though, Harps had reason to cheer, referee Marc Lynch pointing to the spot after Sean O’Donnell was scythed down in the box.

Captain Ryan Flood coolly converted from twelve yards as Harps pulled one back. 

And they almost surrendered it but Idowu was denied Waterford’s fourth by the woodwork.

Coughlan blazed high from close range but despite their ten corners, half time arrived with Waterford only 3-1 up. 

Killian Cantwell nearly extended the Waterford lead moments after the resumption, but Harps almost halved the gap, Flood unlucky to see his set piece strike woodwork.

But Coughlan snaffled up a chance fifty-seven minutes in, bagging his brace, as he hunts down the First Division goals record with a vengeance.

As the rest of the second half threatened to peter out, Coughlan spied his hattrick with a sniping, venomous free kick that Heimer saved but with his defenders again statuesque, defender Eddie Nolan, only on the pitch a matter of minutes, gleefully gobbled up the rebound.

Youngster Adam Queally then made his Waterford debut, but another substitute set up Waterford’s sixth, Thomas Owula chasing hard and crossing in where Idowu, having ran hard all night, finally got his goal, much deserved for a tenacious performance, rounding off Waterford’s excellent evening.

Up next are home ties, Waterford welcoming Longford Town whilst Finn Harps face a challenging match to improve their home form, Cobh Ramblers visiting Finn Park next Friday night. 

They will be relieved to not have to journey to the RSC again this season, 7-1 and 6-1 defeats making it thirteen conceded in two games there, an unlucky ground indeed for the Harps.