Sean Boyd pounces at the death as Shels finally break home hoodoo and Waterford hearts

Shelbourne finally improved their home form at Tolka Park, ending a winless run with a 2-1 victory over bottom side Waterford. Waterford looked set for a point after Will Jarvis scored early, but Padraig Amond equalised within two minutes by finishing Benny Couto’s low cross following a quick counter-attack. Shelbourne then increased pressure late in the match, making attacking substitutions and building sustained attacks in the final stages. Evan Caffrey struck the bar as the home side pushed forward. Sean Boyd scored the decisive injury-time winner from close range, securing the win and lifting Shelbourne’s home record.

"Fresh from scoring a hat-trick on his Ireland debut last weekend, the Championship-bound attacker looked on from the stands at Tolka Park as Sean Boyd smashed an injury-time winner to end the curse. Bottom side Waterford appeared to be hanging on for a precious point that would have injected life into their desperate cause. They had cancelled out Will Jarvis' first-half opener within two minutes, with Padraig Amond pouncing for an equaliser before the break."

"But Shelbourne piled on the pressure late on, as boss Joey O'Brien threw a slew of attackers into the mix off the bench - and Boyd weighed in with the winner. Shels were determined to build on last week's victory away to St Pat's and finally rid themselves of that unwanted winless tag at home. And they were good value for their lead in the 37th minute."

"Jarvis prodded the ball home after a good move with JJ Lunney and then Harry Wood centrally involved. Shels fans must have felt their side was sitting pretty. But although Waterford are rooted to the foot of the table, they will always carry a threat with ace poacher Amond in their ranks. The veteran striker stepped up and equalised within two minutes, stabbing home Benny Couto's low cross after a swift counter-attack."

"But the arrival of last week's match winner Daniel Kelly and Mipo Odubeko gave Shels a boost in the second half with Evan Caffrey going close as he crashed a shot off the bar. And the pressure was mounting in the final throes as Shels peppered the Waterford box, paving the way for Boyd to apply the killer finish at the death from close range."

Read at Irish Independent