Tramore secure a memorable cup final triumph with late goals
Tramore captain Mocheál Ó Cuilleanáin with the Woolfson U15A Cup.
Tramore AFC produced a superb second-half display to overcome Villa FC 3-1 and lift the Maurice Woolfson U15A Cup in an entertaining final at Graun Park.
Among the best contests of this season’s Schoolboys Cup finals programme, both sides played with great intensity and attacking intent throughout. While the opening half was evenly balanced, Tramore's stronger finish saw them deservedly emerge as champions.
Villa made the brighter start and almost opened the scoring inside two minutes. Max Chren released Freddie Breen, whose low effort was well saved by Tramore goalkeeper Charlie Mahon. Moments later, Mahon was again alert, racing from his line to clear the danger as Conor McLoughlin chased a long Joey Robinson pass.
Tramore gradually took control in midfield through Billy Flynn and Micheál O’Cuilleanain, with forwards Ryan Allen, Louis McDonald and Daniel Roche causing constant problems for the Villa defence.
Their pressure paid off on 20 minutes when Flynn threaded a superb pass into Allen’s path. The Tramore striker showed great composure, firing home from a tight angle to give his side a deserved lead.
Villa responded impressively and were back on level terms five minutes later. Goalkeeper Kajtek Splawski launched a long kick downfield and McLoughlin reacted quickest, beating Mahon to the bouncing ball before forcing it into the net for 1-1.
Both teams continued to create openings in an entertaining first half, but neither side could find a second goal before the interval.
Tramore were the stronger side following the restart as O’Cuilleanain and Flynn dominated midfield and supplied a steady stream of chances to the attack.
Daniel Roche came close on 48 minutes before Samuel Bekel produced an excellent recovery tackle. Two minutes later Roche was denied again when Splawski saved well and Kayden English completed a superb goal-line clearance from the rebound.
Villa remained dangerous on the counter attack and almost went ahead on the hour mark, but Gabriel Parish was denied by an excellent save from Mahon.
That proved a crucial moment. On 66 minutes Tramore regained the lead when captain O’Cuilleanain collected possession on the right, cut inside and drilled a powerful left-footed effort into the bottom corner.
Villa pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Tramore sealed victory in the closing stages. Roche used his strength to hold off the Villa defence before rifling a left-footed strike into the far corner to make it 3-1 and spark celebrations among the Tramore supporters.
The final whistle confirmed Tramore as worthy winners after an outstanding second-half performance. Following the presentation ceremony, Waterford Schoolboys League representative Mary Ray presented captain Micheál O’Cuilleanain with the Maurice Woolfson U15A Cup.
Kajtek Splawski, Kayden English, Yago Barbosa, Maksym Indiuchenko, Samuel Bekel, Joey Robinson, Erik Moldovan, Max Chren, Conor McLoughlin, Freddie Breen, Gabriel Parish. Subs: Rhys Hughes, Shay Eldridge, Alan Maryniak, Archie Kelly.
Charlie Mahon, Ryan Rogers, Finn Halpin, Jimmy Brophy, Billy Flynn, Ryan Allen, Micheál O’Cuilleanain, Daniel Roche, James Cullinane, Louis McDonald, Jay Lyons. Subs: Harry Stubbs, Dylan Collins, Ruby Starmer.
Noel Connolly, assisted by John Walsh and Trevor Hartery
