Brideview win to go top as Ballyduff secure big win

Brideview went top of the table on Saturday with their win away to Dunmore East, while Ballyduff Rovers had a wonderful win on Sunday away to the Villa, with Tireoghan Flynn the hero for the village side, scoring a hat-trick. Cappoquin/ Railway lost at home on Sunday to Red Star.

We give a report on the Munster Senior Cup semi-final that saw Waterford defeat Munster Senior League team Rockmount, to set up a final against Kerry FC.

This Sunday, the Waterford Junior League will play the semi-final of the Oscar Traynor Cup against the Donegal League at the Athlone Stadium.

In our Memories section, we continue our look back at season 1992/93.

Finally, we take this opportunity to wish all our readers a very happy, holy, enjoyable and safe Easter.

SYMPATHY

Sincere sympathy through our notes to former Red House League and WW/EC Junior League secretary and treasurer, Paddy Mason, on the death of his brother, Jer Mason, Barrack Street, Cappoquin.

We extend our sympathy also to Jer’s wife Eily, sons Mark and Trevor, daughter Gillian and brother Noel and the extended Mason and Landers family. Ar dheis Dé ar a anam.

WATERFORD LEAGUE Dunmore East 2 Brideview Utd 4

Brideview travelled to Dunmore East on Saturday last and came away with the three points in Division 2A to go top of the league.

The Tallow team started off in an attacking mode from the opening whistle and goals from Gavin Fives, Eoin McGrath and Kieran Crawford without reply from the home team, had them in a comfortable lead at half-time.

The second half saw the home team piling on the pressure to get back into the game and they were rewarded with two goals, the second scored from the penalty spot and all of a sudden it was 2-3, with Brideview holding a slim advantage.

But the Tallow team were awarded a penalty and Mark Stewart scored to give them breathing space and at the final whistle, the win and the three points on 2-4 scoreline. The Tallow team have a three point advantage over joint second placed Stradbally and Red Star.

This coming Saturday, Brideview will travel to play Kilmacow with a 4pm start.

Villa 3 Ballyduff Rovers 3

On Sunday afternoon, Ballyduff Rovers travelled to Connors Park to play the Villa in Division 3A and caused a shock taking all three points. Both teams played attacking football but on 35mins Ballyduff goalkeeper Hans van de Ven had to come off injured and was replaced by Florence Flynn, with Barry Casey coming off the bench. Just on the blow for half-time, Ballyduff scored through Tireoghain Flynn, 0-1 at half-time.

But the Villa hit back early in the second half and scored twice in quick succession in the opening ten minutes to take the lead. However, Ballyduff Rovers were not for giving up and chased the equaliser and ten minutes later, the teams were level when Tireoghan Flynn scored.

We now had a game on our hands as both teams threw caution to the wind with plenty of chances at either end. With just two minutes remaining Flynn scored for the visitors to complete his hat-trick and more importantly, the win for Ballyduff Rovers.

Congratulations to Ballyduff on this victory and to Tireoghan Flynn on scoring a hat-trick. Rovers have no game this weekend.

Capppoquin/Railway 3 Red Star 7

Capppoquin/Railway played Red Star at the Danes Field on Sunday morning in Division 3A and lost out.

The home team took the lead when Mark Ronayne scored, but the visitors hit back and scored three times before the break for a 1-3 half-time score.

Early in the second half Oisin Coffey scored to cut the deficit to the minimum, but Red Star then scored four more goals before Caoilean Foley scored at the very end, to leave the full time score 3-7.

Cappoquin/Railway have no game this weekend.

In Division 2B, Lismore will travel to the Orchard in Tramore to play Tramore Rgs on Saturday with a 2pm kick-off.

MUNSTER SENIOR CUP - LOCAL INTEREST

Waterford FC played Rockmount from the Munster Senior League in the semi-final of the Munster Senior Cup at the RSC on the Monday of the St. Patrick’s weekend and came out on top 3-0.

Having played and drawn with Dundalk in the Premier league on the previous Friday, the Waterford management decided to give the U20 team the opportunity to impress manager Keith Long and this they did. It must also be recorded that Rockmount did not field their first eleven either, as they themselves are still involved in the FAI Intermediate Cup.

But one name stood out for us from the Cork based team was former Regions Cup international captain, Ken Hoey, who is still playing for the Munster Senior League team, although not always on the first team. Those of us who have followed the Irish amateur teams through the years will have known of the wonderful service Ken Hoey has given to the green jersey.

Waterford goalkeeper Oisin Aldred was alert to make a double save early in the game and the Blues were awarded a penalty when Evan Geary was fouled in the area and the spot kick was converted by Colum Flynn. Republic of Ireland international Romeo Akachuhwu then found the net to give Waterford a two goal advantage. The third goal was scored by Dylan Warren from a Calum Costello pass to give the Blues a deserved victory 3-0 at the final whistle.

Waterford will now play Kerry FC in the final.

This was a very good win for the young Blues and we were delighted to see three players who commenced their football careers in the WW/EC League Schoolboy League. Goalkeeper Oisin Aldred and midfielder Evan Geary both played for Lismore AFC, while Ronan Mansfield from Cappoquin/ Railway is a squad member with the Waterford senior team in the Airtricity League. A short few years back we remember listening to a well known underage committee member in the WW/EC Schoolboys/Schoolgirls League say publicly it was only a matter of time before there would be a player/ players playing League of Ireland football. How true his words were and we are delighted to be able to report here of the success of these three players.

We must also mention here that Lismore U13 goalkeeper JJ Cahill is making a name for himself with two international trials already behind him for the Irish U14 team and we wish him the very best.

OSCAR TRAYNOR CUP

This Sunday, the Waterford League will play against the Donegal League in the semi-final of the Oscar Traynor Cup at the Athlone Stadium. We have written a number of times how delighted we are to see the Oscar Traynor Cup competition up and running again after the cancellation during Covid. While all leagues did not enter the cup this season, the competition was run provincially and has worked perfectly. The Waterford League won out in Munster defeating the Kerry League in the final, played at Fermoy, and then went on to defeat the Carlow League 3-1 at Ozier Park, setting up the semi-final this Sunday.

Donegal we believe will start as favourites having defeated a strong Leinster team a few weeks back. We know from past experience how strong the league is in the far north west of the country and Sunday’s game will be a real test for the Waterford side.

Kick-off on Sunday at the Athlone Stadium will be 3pm.

UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE

The UEFA Nations League commences in September with the Republic of Ireland in Group B1, along with England, Greece and Finland.

Ireland’s first game will be at the Aviva against England on Saturday, 5th September (5pm kick off). Three days later Ireland will also be at home v Greece.

The Nations League continues in October with Ireland playing two away games. On Thursday, 10th October v Finland (7.45pm) and on Sunday, 13th October v Greece in Athens (7.45pm). On Thursday, 14th November Ireland will be back at the Aviva for the visit of Finland (7.45pm) start and on Sunday, 17th November, Ireland complete their group games when they travel to Wembley to play England (5pm).

U21 EURO 2025 QUALIFIER San Marino 0 Ireland 7

Friday last saw Jim Crawford’s U21 team play San Marino at the San Marino Stadium in the Euro 2025 Qualifier and the Boys in Green had a fantastic victory that keeps them on course for qualification. They went into this game following a 3-2 defeat away to Norway and then an injury time draw at Turner’s Cross (1-1) to Italy.

The Irish were by far the better team on Friday night and the seven goals could easily have been more, so superior were the Irish. Rocco Vata scored a hat-trick with further goals from Sinclair Armstrong, Andy Moran and an o.g.. A comprehensive win for Jim Crawford’s team and they can look forward to rest of the qualifiers with confidence.

For the past two weeks we have spoken of the Women’s Euro 2025 Qualifiers that see Ireland in

Group A3 with England, France and Sweden. England are the current Euro holders and both France and Sweden reached the semi finals. This is definitely the hardest or strongest group of the qualifiers and it will take a very big effort from the girls in green to get out of the group. The top two in the group will qualify automatically and the third and bottom teams will play off to determine which team will go forward in the playoffs. So, there is plenty of international football to look forward to in the next number of months.

Before we conclude this segment regarding international football, we must mention the attendance at the Aviva last Saturday for the visit of Belgium. The attendance announced on the night was 38,128, with plenty of seats available. It may sound difficult to understand why the stadium was not packed with Belgium, ranked fourth in the world, and John O’Shea in his first international and the kick-off at 5pm, a time that suits all those fans travelling from the country, why then was this game not sold out? We think the answer is simple. Once again the FAI shot themselves in the foot. Supporters had to buy tickets for the two internationals, against Belgium on Saturday and against Switzerland on Tuesday. We spoke on Friday at the Airtricity

League game at Turner’s Cross to a parent who told us he could not afford to buy two tickets and travel to Dublin on Saturday and take time off work on Tuesday to go back to Dublin. He is a genuine supporter who had to fork out the entrance fee for himself and his 14 year son on Friday to see Cobh Ramblers in action because they are his club.

How many parents around the country are like him? Does the FAI CEO know any of the geography of Ireland? Well in fairness how could he, he doesn’t live in Ireland! We all remember the criticism of the old board. Have things improved with the new board? It is obvious it has not and as we compile our notes on Monday morning, we see the FAI are trying to sell tickets for Tuesday night’s fixture.

From all of this non thinking and planning by the FAI, we have plenty to write in the next few weeks.

AIRTRICITY LEAGUE

Because of the internationals last weekend there were no Premier games played, only 1st Division fixtures.

Waterford did play a Munster Senior Cup semi-final on last Monday week (as reported on) when they defeated Rockmount from the Munster Senior league 3-0.

It will be back to league football for Waterford with a double home fixture over the Easter period. This Friday night, Good Friday, Sligo Rvs are the visitors. Sligo had a very good win at home to Drogheda last Saturday week winning 3-1 and they leapfrogged Waterford into third spot by a point.

This is an important league game for the Blues and playing at home will be expected to take all three points. With two trips to the Showgrounds to be played between this and the end of the season, it is vital to get the win at the RSC. The Bit O Red had a mixed season in 2023 and they know they were lucky not to have been in the playoff with Waterford instead of Cork City. As a loyal Sligo fan informed us at the weekend, if it had been Sligo and not Cork City, Waterford would still have beaten Sligo as my colleague maintained the Blues were a much better team than Sligo. This season, Sligo following their victory against Drogheda, are in third spot and a win for Waterford will see them back in third place before they face Shamrock Rvs three days later.

Then on Easter Monday, Waterford will have the big game of the season so far when the league champions of the past three years,

Shamrock Rvs, are visitors with a 5pm kick-off. Anytime Rovers come to the RSC we can expect an atmosphere that no other club in the League of Ireland generates and with a time that will suit everyone, the RSC on Easter Monday will be rocking.

We take this opportunity to wish Waterford assistant, Alan Reynolds, the very best as he has become the manager at Bohemians. Alan will definitely be a loss to the Blues, but it was always only a matter of time before some club would come looking for his services.

Cobh Ramblers 1 UCD 2

There was a full 1st Division fixture list last Friday and we took in the Cobh Ramblers v UCD game that was played at Turner’s Cross. This was the Ramblers last “home” game at the Cross before they return to St. Colman’s Park on Easter Monday. We had seen Cobh the previous week in their 1-1 draw with Kerry FC at Mounthawk Park.

Friday night the Ramblers went on the attack from the start, but the UCD defence stood firm and created chances of their own. In fact, the students could easily have scored early on but Jack Doyle’s effort was scrambled away by the Cobh defence. The Ramblers then had a chance when Matthew McDevitt hit the side netting when in a good position. As the half progressed the Ramblers created many chances, unfortunately they did not have anyone with an eye for goal and at the break the game was scoreless.

The second half started with UCD playing much better than in the opening 45mins, but Cobh withstood the pressure and should have scored in a breakaway, but the student’s keeper Kian Moore saved from Bosnjak. However, the Ramblers did not have long to wait as Jack Larkin took a pass from McKevitt to hit the net.

They should have doubled the score minutes later when Dale Holland raced into the area, got around the keeper but from a very tight angle in front of the shed, the ball rolled across the front of the goal and wide. A real let off for UCD.

This seemed, with three substitutions at the same time, to spur them on and all of a sudden they started to attack quickly from the back and Cobh began to fall back, allowing the attackers more time and the Ramblers were punished when Behan from a melee found the net.

Playing injury time UCD kept the pressure on the Cobh defence and from a free kick outside the box, they scored when Wells was allowed shoot and the ball ended in the net and Cobh had literally thrown away three points.

Not a good result for Ramblers who on the night deserved at least a share of the points, manager Gary Hunt was very disappointed with the result.

This weekend Cobh are doubly engaged. On Friday, they will be at the Carlisle Ground to play Bray Wanderers who lost at home last week to Wexford 3-4. On Easter Monday, Cobh will play their first game of the current season at St Colman’s Park with Athlone Town as visitors. We only have seen photos of the “new” Colman’s Park and it looks to be a wonderful set up. Kick-off will be 3pm.

Treaty Utd 0 Cork City 0

Friday’s game of the night was without doubt the top of the table clash at the Markets Field with league leaders Cork City playing second in the table Treaty Utd. With an attendance of over 3,100, unfortunately the game never lived up to the hype.

Our City colleagues kept us up to date on the happenings and informed us the rain was belting down at one stage and the game was suffering. There were chances created by both teams but the two defences held firm and at the final whistle the points were shared.

The respective hot shots, Enda Curran of Treaty and Jack Doherty of City, did not get the supply of ball either needed to show their goal prowess. Doherty did see his free kick in the last ten minutes whistle past a post with former City keeper Corey Chambers beaten. Chambers also saved from Evan McLoughlin at the expense of a corner. But overall from what we have been told, a draw was a fair result and no doubt Treaty manager Tommy Barrett, while disappointed not to get the three points, will be happy with a draw against a team who are fully professional. Cork City manager Tim Clancy will be happy to come away from the venue with a point to still remain top of the table.

This Friday, Cork City will have Athlone Town as visitors to Turner’s Cross and then on Easter Monday, will be travelling to Ferrycarrig Park to play Wexford with a 3pm kick-off. Those two games are important for City and if they can take six points this will definitely set them up for the rest of the season.

In the Women’s Premier Division, there is a full fixture list for this coming Saturday and two fixtures stand out to us, Peamount at home to Wexford and Shamrock Rvs at home to Treaty Utd.

MEMORIES - SEASON 1992/93

We continue with our look back at the 1992/93 season that we have been writing on for the last number of weeks. Last week we wrote on the 2nd Division which was won by Pinewood and the Ballymac team was promoted and we had a play-off that was needed for the runnersup spot between Cappoquin B and Glen View Utd.

We promised a reader on Sunday last we would give the two teams that played in the playoff that took place at Brideview Park on 18th April, 1993, with Fintan Murray scoring the all important goal in the 80th minute for the Cappoquin team. Liam Fraser’s report told us there was a good crowd at the Tallow venue for the game.

Cappoquin B - C Cullinane, L Lacey, E Buddin, D Power, M Lacey, K O’Donnell, F Murray, A McCarthy, R Walsh, D Mason, B O’Shea. Reserves - C O’Leary, P Cullen, C Barry, S McCarthy, D Morrissey.

Glen View - P Casey, G Power, M McBride, J Power, T Duggan, A Power, A Kett, T O’Donnell, P Hallissey, J D Leahy, P McGrath. Reserves - B Ormonde, M Crowley.

Next week, we will continue our look through the archives to help us remember some of the highlights through the years of the RHL and the WW/EC Junior League.