Villa win an epic U15C final full of cup magic
Villa lift the WSFL Waterford FC Under 15C Cup after final victory over Ballyduff after extra-time at Graun Park.
A cup final brimming with drama, quality and sheer heart delivered a cracking spectacle at Graun Park, where Villa FC C eventually overcame a gallant Ballyduff side after extra-time in a game packed with thrills, spills and moments of pure magic.
Played at a relentless pace from start to finish, both sides served up a contest full of brilliant goals and brave defending, with momentum swinging wildly before Villa struck decisively in extra-time to seal the silverware.
Villa made the ideal start, striking inside five minutes. Mark Epshtein split the Ballyduff defence with a perfectly weighted pass, and Alex Griffin showed composure beyond his years to tuck away a precise finish past Rowan Kearley.
Ballyduff responded in determined fashion. Luke Walsh was a constant threat down the left and created a good opening for Matthew Masterson, whose effort drifted narrowly wide. It set the tone for a lively spell as the game opened up.
Villa threatened again through Arthur Tszampel, who fired narrowly over from distance, but Ballyduff keeper Kearley soon produced a moment of real class. He made a superb double save—first denying Luiz Henrique Silva Ferrari with a strong hand before throwing himself bravely at the feet of Frano Ciglar to smother the rebound.
Chances continued to flow. Hayden Scadding showed neat skill to create space for Gleicivan Junior Silva Costa, who saw his effort flash just wide, while Ballyduff nearly struck before the break when Masterson again went close following good play from Walsh.
Villa doubled their lead three minutes into the second half. Silva Costa turned provider this time, delivering into the danger area where Dylan Farrell was perfectly placed to fire home from close range.
At 2-0, Villa looked in control, but Ballyduff had other ideas.
Driven by sheer determination, they began to force their way back into the contest. Walsh led the charge, Roche provided support, and their persistence paid off on 57 minutes. A clever pass from Daniel Roche released Jack Connolly, who hammered an unstoppable finish high into the net to reduce the deficit.
The momentum shifted. Ballyduff surged forward and felt they had equalised when Ryan O’Rourke’s thunderous strike crashed off the underside of the crossbar and appeared to cross the line, only for play to continue. Villa survived again moments later when Cian McGuire produced a vital point-blank save to deny Roche.
Then came the moment of the match.
On 67 minutes, Matthew Masterson collected the ball 30 yards from goal and unleashed a stunning strike that soared over the keeper and dipped into the net—a goal of real quality that levelled the game at 2-2 and sent the tie into extra-time.
With Ballyduff now full of belief, the game hung in the balance—but the drama was far from over.
Villa struck a decisive double blow at the start of extra-time. Within seconds, Bartosz Adamiec delivered a ball forward that deceived Kearley and bounced into the net. Barely a minute later, Gleicivan Junior Silva Costa produced a spectacular long-range effort that flew in off the underside of the crossbar.
Those two quickfire goals ultimately proved the difference.
Ballyduff refused to give in and battled right to the final whistle, throwing everything forward in search of a way back. They died with their boots on, but Villa held firm in the closing stages to secure victory and lift the cup after an unforgettable encounter.
Rowan Kearley, Cormac Murphy, Liam Phelan, Leo Taylor Jenkins, Sam Colfer, Killian Walsh, Daniel Roche, Luke Walsh, Matthew Masterson, Jack Connolly, Ryan O’Rourke. Subs: Daniel Murphy, Bobby Reid, Bartosz Sawicki, Dylan Cooke Whelan, Maciej Etmanski.
Cian McGuire, Denise Dodoc, Oran Morrissey, Arthur Tszampel, Alex Griffin, Dylan Farrell, Robbie Tobin, Mark Epshtein, Gleicivan Junior Silva Costa, Elwin Vinoj, Bartosz Adamiec. Subs: Eoghan Dunphy, Frano Ciglar, Hayden Scadding, Luiz Henrique Silva Ferrari.
Thomas Barry, assisted by Jason Fleming and Stephen Drummy.
