U15s Report: Waterford 6 CK United 1

Waterford FC’s Under-15s got their 2026 campaign off to a terrific start with a commanding 6-1 win over CK United at SETU Arena on Saturday afternoon. Nathan Power continued his exploits of last year with a four-goal haul while James Ferncombe and newcomer Cruz Chong also netted in a near-perfect display overall. 

It took just ten minutes for Xander Coolbear’s Blues to open their account for the year when Power fired a low cross into the box and the in-rushing Ferncombe smashed the ball to the roof of the net. CK United had a great chance to equalise when Josh McEvoy played Tire Adeleye through on goal, but his shot went wide of Ronan Sullivan’s near post. The goalkeeper also showed good handling to hold Daniel Harrison’s strike before the Blues ran rampant in a four-minute blitz that put the tie out of reach. 

First, Chong doubled the lead in the 27th minute when he took a composed touch and finished after Aedan Sumner had done brilliantly to cut inside and cross for Chong to score against his former club. And, within sixty seconds, the Blues added another when Chong won the ball, received it back from Power and struck a shot off the inside of the post. That left Power with the simplest of finishes from inches out and he took no chances by claiming the first of his four goals. If that was one the striker could have scored with his eyes closed, his second, in the 31st minute, was the polar opposite as Power lived up to his name by blasting an unstoppable right-footed shot to the top corner from twenty-five yards for the goal of the day. 

 

Team photo by CianKellyPhotography on Instagram

It wasn’t all one-way traffic as Charlie Stamper had to recover well to force Adeleye wide when the United forward broke through on goal. However, it didn’t take long for Power to complete his hat-trick as he latched on to a superb pass from Will Hogan, played tantalisingly between the goalkeeper and last defender, for Waterford’s number nine to make it five after 39 minutes. 

Power almost increased his tally early in the second period when referee Luke Brennan allowed a great advantage when the attacker was fouled by Micheal Beagan just outside the area and went back to book the goalkeeper after Power’s shot was just wide. Instead, it was to be United who struck first in the second half. The impressive Kacper Futoma, who had been switched from defence to attack at half-time, turned and fizzed the ball to the net after a miscommunication at the back for Waterford when defending a McEvoy corner. 

That stung the Blues back into life and it was 6-1 just four minutes later. Rian Byrne, powerful and assured throughout at the back, sent a glorious long pass forward which drew the goalkeeper into a foul on Power. The result was a penalty, which Power despatched himself, but no red card as a genuine attempt had been made to play the ball. 

 

 

Waterford maintained a mature performance through the rest of the game - keeping the visitors at arm’s length with the industrious Billy Carney at the heart of probing possession. Danny Blake came closest to changing the scoreline when a sublime touch to control the ball allowed him to chip Beagan, but his effort came unluckily off the crossbar. Substitute goalkeeper Liam Murphy held a shot by Hugo Thompson with the final kick of the game as the whistle sounded on a very promising first outing for the Blues. 

Other notes: This team look to have the quality to do very well this year and are enjoyable to watch. Three Ireland internationals in Carney, Power and team captain Jack Barden provide a strong spine, but there is plenty more to the team with some other very exciting talents too. The defence was very solid as a unit and forced CK United into trying a lot of balls over the top which defenders and goalkeeper managed comfortably between them. Cruz Chong looks a very good signing and combined well with teammates in attacking situations. Aedan Sumner was very impressive on the right wing with pace, power and intelligent play while delivering two assists and Dylan Tobin linked up well with him on that side. Jacob Rose threw himself bravely into a couple of good blocks and Kristupas Narkevicius was a great physical presence when they came on so there is strength in depth too with Charlie Flynn and Donagh Beresford also making sure Waterford saw the game out in very mature fashion.

Ronan Sullivan, Dillon Tobin, Charlie Stamper, Rian Byrne, Jack Barden, Aedan Sumner, Billy Carney, Cruz Chong, Will Hogan, James Ferncombe, Nathan Power, Liam Murphy, Jacob Rose, Donagh Beresford, Kristupas Narkevicius, Charlie Flynn, Danny Blake.