The points were shared in the RSC as returning Will Jarvis will have to wait for his first 3 points back at the club courtesy of Tommy Lonergan’s header to split the points.
Waterford F.C 1
Shelbourne 1
The League of Ireland is back after a long 3-month hiatus. In this opening night tie, a revamped Shelbourne made the trip to the south-east to take on Jon Daly’s Waterford side on Friday Night, under the lights.
Waterford went into the game with 7 new signings and 2 returning players in McMullan on loan and Conan Noonan in the Starting XI. The home side set up in a 4-4-2 formation, with a whole new back-line on display with the usual strike partnership of Lonergan alongside League Top-Scorer in 2024 and 2025 and club captain Pádraig Ámond.
Shelbourne boss opted for his usual 3-5-2 formation, with the only new face in the team to kick-off their league campaign being the League of Ireland record signing Odhrán Casey slotting in at centre-half alongside Paddy Barrett and Kameron Ledwidge.
The game started with an eerie look of smoke surrounding the field of play, blocking the view of spectators watching with and without the screen, even setting off nearby smoke alarms.
Shelbourne came out the gates very composed, keeping the ball incredibly well without Waterford having a sniff.
This repeated theme of Shelbourne continued throughout the second half, the away side started to pick up the pace after the 10th minute, attacking with more authority.
This change in intensity came to fruition as the visitors were the first to strike the back of the net in the 2026 League of Ireland Premier Division, in the 13th minute, Daniel Kelly’s cross was cleared poorly by John Mahon who allowed Kerr McInroy to have a shot on the edge of the area. The strike was unsuccessful and after a poor header from Benny Cuoto and poor control from Carty, Mipo Odubeko attempted a bicycle kick, the attempt was lackluster, but fortunately fell to John Martin who calmly slotted the ball in the bottom-left corner to make it 1-0 Shels.
This dominance continued as Waterford struggled to retain the ball, resorting to long balls after only a few passes. The Blues also attempted to counter-attack but were stopped in their tracks with one of these forcing an exceptional Odhrán Casey interception.
The second-half involved more of the same themes, as Waterford looked to try to contain Shelbourne without having much of the ball. Jon Daly clearly chose to go more attacking making a triple substitution in the 53rd minute.
However, it was not long after their fortunes would turn around as Conan Noonan whipped in a lovely free-kick from the left-hand side which met the head of Tom Lonergan, Speel managed to get his hands to it but ultimately it was not enough to prevent The Blues going level.
This goal did the world of good for Waterford as they played with a lot more composure and confidence, while still prioritising Shelbourne as their primary target.
Shels, much like the first half, chose to direct their plays down the wings, with one big chance coming from a Ledwidge cross that was directed into the hands of McMullan via Odubeko’s head. The credit though has to go to Jon Daly and his sides compact set-up, discipline and ability to deal with Shelbourne’s crosses.
Will Jarvis and Rodrigo Freitas were introduced to try to find Shelbourne a winner, Jarvis looked sharp and was trying to make things happens, including a shot from outside the box which sailed just over the top-right of the post. Shels’ efforts however were not enough to separate the two sides.
Overall, a draw is a a fair results for both sides due to Shelbourne’s control of the game and chance creation and Waterford’s ability to keep the visitors at bay.
Man of the match: Jack Henry-Francis was key in midfield in today , all be it Harry Wood’s skill and flair, Henry-Francis’ control and composure on the ball made him key to the way Shelbourne played, it’s simply quite rare to see him lose the ball.
Waterford (4-4-2): Stephen McMullan, Luke Heeney, John Mahon, Hayden Cann, Benny Cuoto, Conan Noonan, Cian Barrett, Evan McLaughlin, Conor Carty, Tom Lonergan, Pádraig Ámond (C) Subs: Sam Glenfield for Cian Barrett (53′), Jorgen Voilas for Conor Carty (53′), Trae Coyle for Evan McLaughlin (53′) Bookings: Cian Barrett, Tom Lonergan, Conor Carty, Sam Glenfield, John Mahon.
Shelbourne (3-5-2): Wessel Speel, Odhrán Casey, Paddy Barrett, Kameron Ledwidge, Milan Mbeng, Harry Wood, Jack Henry-Francis, Kerr McInroy, Daniel Kelly, Mipo Odubeko, John Martin Subs: Rodrigo Freitas and Will Jarvis for John Martin and Daniel Kelly (66′), Maill Lundgren and Sean Gannon for Harry Wood and Milan Mbeng (80′), Sean Boyd for Mipo Odubeko (83′) Bookings: Will Jarvis, Sean Boyd.
Referee: Lucas Keating
Attendance: 3232