Youngest Blues Delighted with Double English Class

All League of Ireland academy fixtures were postponed on Saturday with the League taking the decision due to uncertainty of potential disruption to the national roads network. That gave three Waterford FC teams (the men’s Under-20s and 15s and women’s Under-17s) an unwanted weekend off, but three more teams were able to fulfil their fixtures on Sunday.

There was a dramatic late win for the Under-14s (main picture) with Aaron English’s second goal of the day sealing a thrilling victory. The young Blues hosted Klub Kildare in SETU Arena on Sunday and a very positive start saw them create some early half chances. Kildare tried to get a foothold in the game, but some solid defensive work and a willingness of all the Blues players to pressure the ball aggressively kept them in check. Playing into the breeze, Waterford were deserving of their opening goal in the 30th minute when a Terry Renwick free kick from the left was helped on by Enoch Mich and ex-Southend United schoolboy English was the first player to react to the breaking ball to slot home.

The Blues stayed in control of the game until the 75th minute when an unfortunate slip by a Waterford defender allowed Kildare striker Calvin Kelly Smyth to break away and finish past the goalkeeper. Derek Browne’s team showed great character to bounce back looking for a winner, crafting several good chances and testing Kildare goalkeeper Filip Majdak, whose save against Mich was a particular standout. 

The visitors’ resolve was eventually broken in the final moments when a corner kick from Renwick was met at the near post by English with a fantastic glancing header to seal victory and a deserved three points for the young Blues. They were elated with a battling squad performance including strong contributions from Rory Crowley, Liam Dooley and Ryan O’Neill making their way back after injury. 

 

Ruby Norris (wearing number 20) lining out for the Girls in Green

The Under-23s were denied a win in the Women’s Development League by two late goals at SETU Arena. Hillary Dumevi gave the Blues a 21st-minute lead against St Patrick’s Athletic before Nwa Keshani levelled five minutes before half-time. The hosts were back in front within sixty seconds, however, when the prolific Kate Tomkins netted to leave Brendan White’s team ahead at the break. Emma Bibby, who earned her first call-up to the first last week against Shelbourne, extended the advantage with thirteen minutes remaining from a Sophie Poole pass. Credit to St Pat’s who kept battling and claimed an unlikely point with those late goals from Marian Bissett and Grace Kelly.

Under-17s player Ruby Norris played half an hour as a substitute for the Under-23s in that game after winning two international caps the previous week. A current student of Scoil Mhuire, Carrick-on-Suir, Ruby played in two friendly matches against Switzerland for the Republic of Ireland Under-16s. A classy midfielder, the former Piltown AFC player started for the Girls in Green in a 1-1 draw in the first game and, the following day, was a 60th minute substitute in a 2-2 draw. 

Unfortunately, nothing went right for the Under-17s boys on Sunday as they fell to a disappointing 5-0 defeat away to Klub Kildare. They refocus ahead of a big derby game at home to Wexford next weekend.