Ronan Coughlan’s header twenty minutes from time gave Waterford the victory against an extremely stubborn Kerry in the RSC tonight.

A series of corners brought most of the chances for the hosts and on the 11th delivery the hosts finally got it right with Baggley playing a sublime ball in with Coughlan netting his 5th in four games.

Kerry defended well for the most part but did not create much against a side who are just a level above where they are as they continue to find their feet in the league.

Pre kick-off the home side held a moment's applause for Waterford man Craig Breen who tragically passed away yesterday, a nice gesture for a man who had connections to both of tonight’s locations.

The Blues got the game underway and in expected fashion dominated the ball, with Barry Baggley having the first effort for the hosts, a nice reverse pass slipped him in but he couldn’t connect well with the effort.

Giles Phillips had the first real test of the Kerry keeper, a great header that he managed to place low and hard but Guthrie was level to it just to keep it from going over the line.

As the half wore on Kerry continued to frustrate their opponents with the home fans getting quite restless with the Kingdom using injuries to take on a message from the boss along with fluids. The aim for Billy Dennehy at this point was to get in at the break scoreless and build off this positive.

The blues had a whole host of corners in the first half with most being met by the head of Giles Phillips but really not much threat to the scoreboard. They did just that with the hosts going in frustrated at the break scoreless.

Waterford continued where they left off in the first half with another couple of corners, bringing their total to nine before the 50th minute mark, but once again Kerry were able to deal with it.

Waterford made it to double digit corners before the hour mark as Idowu and Griffin who both did not show the talents they have tonight were replaced by Conn-Clarke and Parsons as the hosts looked to find a way through a stubborn Kerry backline.

It was in the 70th minute when the hosts finally took the lead after all their pressure. Barry Baggley to his credit kept delivering great balls in and on the 11th corner he found Ronan Coughlan towards the back post who headed back towards goal and found the net.

Ronan Coughlan had a massive chance to make it two but delayed on the ball for an eternity in the box as Vasiu ended up with a massive block for what looked like a certain goal.

Kerry pushed for a late equaliser changing to a 4-4-2 but were unable to create anything of note. The hosts would be happy to come away with the three points.
For Kerry it is a tough task as Galway travel to Mounthawk Park next week, whilst Waterford host Athlone Town.