Sully Strikes and Eva Unleashes - Academy Round-Up (31/8/25)

Waterford FC’s Under 20s had a resounding 4-1 win over Galway United at SETU Arena on Saturday. Pressure from captain Seán Keane forced the visitors into conceding an own goal just one minute into the game to give Eddie Nolan’s team an early lead. However, Galway could have drawn level in the seventh minute only for an excellent penalty save by Jason Healy. The Blues pushed on in a very impressive performance and doubled their lead eight minutes before half-time when Shane O’Sullivan (pictured above by Noel Browne) persevered to finish low with his left foot after three shots were blocked by Galway defenders.

Despite now facing a stiff breeze, it got even better for Waterford early in the second half when Jan Wozniak was alert to follow up a block and score the third. The Blues defence was outstanding throughout with Keane, Adam Queally and Alan Zborowski dominant in the middle and wing backs Adam Coyne and Shayne McDonald in fine form. The rout was complete when O’Sullivan scored his second goal with fourteen minutes remaining following a surging run by Fidel Pululu. United got a consolation goal through Ross Ward, but this was a very strong and controlled win for the Blues – many of whom are pushing for first team action.

Jess Lawton’s Under 19s were desperately unlucky to fall to a 2-1 defeat away to league leaders Shamrock Rovers on Sunday. Katie O’Reilly gave Rovers an early advantage, but Caoimhe Carley equalised quickly for the Blues, assisted by Kate Tomkins. It was a tight affair to the end with the hosts missing a penalty, but Chloe Ibezim broke Waterford hearts in the 94th minute with the winning goal.

 

Sophie Moran battling Shamrock Rovers with the Under 19s

 

The Under 17s boys have a hectic schedule at the moment. Having won their cup semi-final last week, Derek Hearne’s side continued their all-island invitational tournament in Belfast on Sunday with wins against Portadown (3-1) and Glenavon (5-1) as well as a 1-1 draw with Coleraine. In between those, they’ll have been disappointed to lose a league match 2-1 to CK United on Thursday night when the busy fixture list caught up on them. Dan Ponce De Leon gave Waterford the lead, but Carlow-Kilkenny went on to win with goals from Timmy Adeleye and Axel O’Rock. 

Waterford’s Under 17s girls also had a break from the league with a development weekend in Abbotstown and the novelty of facing new opponents. Brendan White’s team started with a 2-2 draw with Galway United with the goals coming from Jodie Roche and Kate Dalton. Next up was a 2-1 win against Sligo Rovers with Emi Adebayo and Lucy Doyle scoring. Finally, they wrapped up a very successful outing with a 1-0 victory over Mayo thanks to a 25-yard rocket into the top corner from Eva O’Gorman.

Cormac Lowry kept up his recent goalscoring run with the Under 15s’ equaliser in a 1-1 draw away to CK United. Good build-up play from Temmy Gazal and Kealan Brennan led to Lowry taking down a lofted pass beautifully and striking a composed finish to the bottom corner with his left foot after Patryk Werra had given the hosts the lead. Craig Shead’s side are still in a strong league position in second place in the table with Gazal, Jack Ryan and goalkeeper Conor Murphy all standing out. 

Unfortunately, the Under 14s boys’ dreams of winning the Eddie Wallace Cup came to an end at the semi-final stage when they lost 2-0 to a very strong St Patrick’s Athletic side in Blanchardstown. Two first half goals from Matt Canny did the damage, but the Blues will rue their luck on the day. Billy Carney was terrific in midfield, Nathan Power was very unlucky not to score, Jack Barden was quality and Aedan Sumner made brilliant attacking runs for Xander Coolbear’s Waterford.