Academy Round-Up (17/8/25)

Muhammad Oladiti (pictured above by Paul Elliott) scored his second goal since returning home to Waterford last month when he drove a terrific free kick through the wall from twenty-five yards, but it wasn’t enough to stop Cork City edging an exciting Munster derby 2-1 in Bishopstown. The hosts took the lead after half an hour when Rhys Kelly-Noonan flicked a header in from the near post, but Oladiti (back from Shamrock Rovers) deservedly levelled early in the second half. Waterford defended impeccably throughout, led by Sean Keane, and Igor Bacela was excellent in goal, but they were caught on the break late in the game when Jayden O’Donovan curled in a superb winning goal.

First teamer Navajo Bakboord played for the Under 20s again this week with the Suriname international replaced by Adam Coyne for the second half. Eddie Nolan's side began with a trio of Adam Queally, Keane and Alan Zborowski in the centre of defence, while Bakboord and Shayne McDonald were wing backs. Oladiti and Callum McFadden anchored the midfield with Shane O'Sullivan influential behind a front two of Jan Wozniak and Aaron Cass. Orion Cala replaced Cass at half time after the latter had sustained a nasty headinjury that required eight stitches in hospital. Bobby Keohan and Alex Sheehan also came on during the second half.

The Under 17s girls bounced back from their first defeat of the league’s second phase with a 1-0 home win against CK United. The speedy Rachael Duff scored the only goal when she raced onto a long pass over the top by Kate Tomkins and finished from a lightning-fast breakaway. New signings Sophie McCabe and Demi Murphy impressed, while another newcomer, goalkeeper Sophie Carroll Lawler from Dungarvan United, came off the bench and made a fantastic save from a header to maintain the clean sheet. 

The Under 15s had a great comeback win on Saturday against Klub Kildare at SETU Arena to make it five wins from five in Tier Two South. Mark Greene gave Kildare an early lead, but skipper Cormac Lowry brought the Blues level on the stroke of half time. Aedan Sumner put Waterford ahead on the hour from a Tiernan O’Brien assist and Billy Carney, stepping up from the Under 14s, wrapped up a good 3-1 win in the 73rd minute.

 

 

Sunday saw Waterford’s Under 17 boys taking part in a new all-island development day at Abbotstown. Eight clubs each from the League of Ireland and Northern Ireland Football League met in Dublin this weekend and will do the same in Belfast on the 31st of August. The Blues were unlucky to draw 0-0 with Larne having dominated throughout, but beat Cliftonville 3-0 and Linfield 1-0. Benny Martin, Orion Cala and Jack Barden scored the goals against Cliftonville, with Julian Power excelling in midfield, and captain Gavin Mitchell’s penalty was enough to get the better of Linfield. Under 15s players Joel Obiesie and Cormac Lowry were outstanding all day too. 

The Under 19s were involved in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Peamount United in Carriganore on Sunday. Cliona Kearney gave the Blues a very early lead, but Peas equalised through Sorcha Melia just short of the hour mark. Melia was the league's Player of the Season at Under 17s when she played for Shamrock Rovers last year. Waterford went back in front with two quickfire goals when Kate Tomkins scored in the 71st minute and Kearney got her second four minutes later. Unfortunately, the Dubliners fought back once more with Ruby Gallagher netting an 84th minute penalty and the same player levelling the game in the final minute of play. 

Finally, there was success in the Eddie Wallace Cup for the Under 14s as they beat Galway United 2-1 at home. Captain Billy Carney scored his second goal of the weekend to give Waterford a 13th minute lead when he reacted fastest to Evan Scully’s blocked shot. The visitors were level by half time through Keating, but Charlie Flynn volleyed home a spectacular winner after 70 minutes from a Tommy Hayes cross.