Stradbally upset the cup odds to defeat the champions
Stradbally team celebrate their victory over Tramore AFC to win the WSFL Waterford FC Under 15C Cup Final at Graun Park. Photos: Paul Elliott.
Second-half goals from Eoin Keane and Adam Raher ensured that Stradbally were celebrating a second cup final success in as many days as they claimed the WSFL Waterford FC Under 15C Cup with a 2-0 win over league champions Tramore AFC at Graun Park on Sunday afternoon last.
With the seaside outfit having much of the early play, they couldn’t turn possession into chances despite been unlucky to win a clear early penalty when Brooklyn Jacob was tripped in the area, but the referee was unwavered.
It was Stradbally that had the first chance of the game on five minutes when Eoin Keane cut in from the left, but the Tramore keeper Zach Power made a smart save before Jacob was clipped when he cut from the left only for play to continue.
The same player was in the thick of the action once again five minutes later when he took a pass from Shay McGrath, but the attacker blazed a shot inches over the crossbar before the latter had an effort saved on 18 minutes.
Tramore keeper Power came to his sides rescue with a fine save on 24 minutes when Sean Coffey linked up well with JP Curran, but this shot was well kept out, before Roan Doherty and Sam Aherne both had good chances for the hosts however, they failed to find the net.
David Prout carved out a big chance for himself two minutes into the second-half when he got free in the area, but his shot was also kept out by the Stradbally keeper Andrew Drohan before Adam Raher got free out on the right only have his shot just clear the crossbar.
Wesley Oare sent over a teasing 45th minute cross that picked out the run of Finn Naughton in the area only for his effort to be saved before Brooklyn Jacob found space for himself in the area two minutes later, but keeper Andrew Drohan did well to keep the ball out once again.
It was Stradbally that struck for the lead goal on 55 minutes when Eoin Keane latched onto the ball on the right-side of the penalty rea after a ball from Ryan Keegan, and after bringing the ball onto his left-foot, he gave keeper Zach Power no chance at all with a stunning left-footed strike from the top of the area.
With Tramore pressing in a bid to try force the game into extra-time, Stradbally secured the win in the final minute when Keegan played the ball forward that wasn’t dealt with by the Tramore keeper and Adam Raher slotted the ball to the back of an empty net to secure the win.
After the game, a delighted Aidan Breen picked up the WSFL Waterford FC Under 15C Cup from Waterford Schoolboy League chairman Davy Cullen as his side took the chances when they mattered to leave the seaside with cup glory.
Andrew Drohan, Cian Coleman, James Crowhurst, Aidan Breen, Ollie Crowhurst, Ryan Keegan, Adam Raher, Sean Coffey, Niall Ronayne, Eoin Keane, JP Curran, Will Lennon, James Keane, Colum Power.
Zach Power, Finn Naughton, Matthew Collery, Roan Doherty, Aidan O’Neill, Adam Hannon, Shay McGrath, Sam Aherne, Ryan Fitzgerald, Brooklyn Jacob, Jack Hayes, TJ Behan, Wesley Oare, Mateus Kuminski, David Prout, Jonathan Brown.
Eryk Adamczyk assisted by Adam Walsh and Gary Torpey.
