Bobby's Big Weekend and Super Sub Sarah

Academy Round-Up (8/9/25)

 

Bobby Keohan (number 7 above with Orion Cala) had an outstanding weekend with two great goals for two different teams. The former Bohemians schoolboy only turned 16 last month, but has been involved with the Waterford FC first team squad on several occasions and is thriving for the Under-20s too. An Ireland Under-16 international, Keohan produced moments of magic for both the Under-20s and Under-17s over the weekend. 

First of all, he struck a powerful shot into the top corner to wrap up a very impressive 4-1 win for the 20s at home to UCD on Saturday. The Blues had fallen behind after just six minutes to a goal from Mark Flood. However, Eddie Nolan’s side stuck to their task and were 3-1 up by half time. Having scored twice last week, Shane O’Sullivan hit the equaliser from a tight angle and centre back Ronan Mansfield gave Waterford the lead with a neat finish when the ball broke his way in the box. The third was a sweet strike by Mohammad Oladiti after a lightning-fast breakaway by Fidel Pululu. Keohan saved the best for last with his goal in the 81st minute ending any hopes UCD had of a comeback.

That’s now back-to-back wins for the Under-20s with the same scoreline as they get to grips with the elite phase of the league and reap the benefits of hard work in training with Nolan, Paddy Carey and Craig Dunphy. The Blues were particularly strong defensively on Saturday with Mansfield, Seán Keane, Adam Queally and first teamer Navajo Bakboord all excelling. 

 

Kate Tomkins in action for the U17s having made her first team debut on Wednesday

 

Keohan’s second goal of the weekend came in the Under-17s’ 1-1 draw with Shamrock Rovers at SETU Arena on Sunday. Scoreless at the break, the tricky midfielder seized upon a goalkeeping error to give the Blues a 55th minute lead. A mishit clearance fell to Keohan who immediately beat the keeper with a delightful left-footed chip. Table-toppers Rovers fought back and levelled through Alan Sattell in the 74th minute and neither team could find a winner. The Blues can now focus on their Mark Farren Cup final against St Patrick’s Athletic next Saturday at 3.30pm at the Carlisle Grounds which can be viewed live on LOITV.

Elsewhere, the Blues Under-15s got back to winning ways with a 3-2 home victory over Kerry. Tiernan O’Brien scored the opener shortly after half-time and Kian Renwick made it two from a Billy Carney assist. The prolific Nathan Power sealed the points with the third in the 72nd minute with Yuri Stashchak pulling two goals back for Kerry in the closing stages. That’s now seven wins and a draw from eight games for Waterford in Tier Two South.

 

Paige Gainfort protecting Waterford's goal for the U17s (Pic - Wexford FC)

 

The two matches involving the Waterford FC girls teams had fifteen goals combined in an exciting weekend. The Under-19s salvaged a hard-earned point from a spectacular comeback in an incredible 5-5 draw with Treaty United on Sunday. They had to battle back from arrears of 4-1 and 5-3 against the Limerick club. Caoimhe Carley scored the first equaliser from a Zara Corcoran pass in the 36th minute, but the Blues faced a three-goal deficit ten minutes into the second half after two goals each for Grace Ehinger and Lily-Anne O’Meara for the visitors. Defender Meadhbh Doherty, who played ninety minutes for the Blues women’s team against Peamount on Saturday, came off the bench to score twice and give the home side hope. Suvi O’Connor extended Treaty’s lead, but Issy Kenna pulled one back in the 85th minute and super sub Sarah Abullo rescued a draw deep into injury time. 

A Mia Whelan hat-trick won the day for Wexford in the Under-17s southeast derby on Saturday. The electric Rachael Duff gave Waterford an early lead when she raced down the line and slotted the ball to the bottom corner, but Whelan, who has been in unstoppable goalscoring form since signing in the summer, had Wexford ahead by half-time. Good work from Kate Dalton on the right wing created a chance for Jodie Roche to equalise from close range, but Whelan broke Blues hearts with her third goal in the 87th minute and was the difference between the sides.