SSE AIRTRICITY FIRST DIVISION leaders Waterford consolidated their place at the summit after putting six past Roddy Collins’ Athlone Town.
The guests were two goals in front after 18 minutes with John Martin grabbing them both. When Mark O’Sullivan added a third later in the half, it was already damage-limitation for the home side.
They did rally after the break and Walter Invernizzi twice hit the woodwork. But, by that stage, David McDaid had made it 4-0 before Martin completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot with an hour on the clock.
Invernizzi managed a consolation in injury time but Waterford still had the final word as Dean Walsh added a sixth for Alan Reynolds’ side.
Stephen Henderson’s Cobh Ramblers remain two points behind after they dug deep to rack up a 1-0 win at home to 10-man Wexford.
Ian Mylod scored the all-important game-winner with 11 minutes remaining while the guests saw Andrew O’Connor red-carded late on.
In the night’s other fixture, Shelbourne and Longford played out a scoreless draw. The hosts had James O’Brien and David O’Leary both sent-off and played over an hour with nine men.
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