Academy Round-Up (25/8/25) - Semi-final Success for the 17s

In scenes of great joy on Sunday afternoon, Waterford FC’s Under 17s boys celebrated reaching the Mark Farren Cup final for the first time in eight years as they edged out UCD in extra-time to win their semi-final 3-2. Neither side could gain control in the frenetic opening stages, but Orion Cala eventually broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when he slotted coolly past goalkeeper Karl Andrade to give Waterford the lead at SETU Arena. UCD seized upon a loose back-pass shortly before half time to earn a penalty which Hugh Martin converted to equalise.

The visitors went ahead in the 62nd minute when Luca Kelly took advantage of a defensive error to score. The pressure was on Waterford now, but they didn’t break and some shrewd substitutions helped them draw level just seven minutes later. Temmy Gazal outpaced the defence and delivered a perfect cross for Bobby Keohan to power a header to the corner of the net. It remained 2-2 until the whistle and thirty tense minutes of extra-time were required.

Waterford’s Igor Bacela made some quality saves before the Blues made the all-important breakthrough in the 104th minute of play. Ben Fahey, who caused UCD all sorts of problems when he came off the bench, was the hero with a great headed goal from captain Gavin Mitchell’s sublime cross. Waterford’s defence held firm under heavy pressure in the second half and the final whistle was greeted with unbridled elation. Derek Hearne’s Blues will now face St Patrick’s Athletic in the final after the Dubliners’ 4-1 win against Bray Wanderers earlier in the day.

 

Ben Fahey was the goalscoring hero to send the Blues into the final (Rav Kaptures)

 

The Under 14s were also victorious against UCD on Sunday. This time it was a 2-1 comeback win at Marley Park in Dublin. Nathan Power with both goals and Billy Carney both assists for the Blues who have now won a staggering thirteen of their last fourteen games.

On Saturday, the Under 17s girls played a thrilling 3-3 draw with Bray Wanderers at SETU Arena. Missing a number of key players, Waterford fell behind to a fourth-minute goal by Elsha Murphy. Emma Bibby equalised with a curling effort from the edge of the box and the Blues went ahead shortly before half time with an excellent breakaway goal – left back Meadbh Doherty bursting forward and squaring for Eva O’Gorman to finish. The home side deserved their lead having hit the woodwork twice in the half, but two quickfire goals from Isabella MacLeod had Bray back in front by the 57th minute. That lead didn’t last long though as Jodie Roche smashed the ball to the roof of the net on the hour from a Megan O’Regan delivery. 

The Under 15s maintained their 100% record in the second group phase with a 1-0 win away to Limerick FC in Charleville. Aaron Brennan scored the only goal midway through the first half when set up by Kian Renwick. Six wins from six now for the impressive young Blues.