Waterford edged out by impressive Lisburn
The Waterford Squad that took on Lisburn of Antrim in the Under 12 Inter League Final at Evergreen Park on Sunday. Photo: Inpho.
This Under 12 side has made Waterford proud as they reached the final of the National Inter League with some excellent displays this season.
The win over Cork in the semi-final was one that this group of players will never forget. However in the final they came up against a very impressive Lisburn outfit who just had the edge on a very energetic Waterford side. The Waterford side managed by Darren Doyle and coached by Shane Power and Peter O’Hagan had done their preparation but really they knew very little about the team from Antrim.
The North of Ireland squad also prepared themselves well with an overnight stay in Waterford before making the short journey to Kilkenny and Evergreen Park. The sun was very strong for the 10.30am kick off and the heat definitely had a draining effect on some of the players.
The game was only four minutes old when Lisburn took the lead. Waterford conceded an early corner kick and when Darragh Ward clipped the flag kick to the far post the unmarked Jude Nelson had little trouble in side footing home from six yards.
This was a big blow to the Waterford side and in fairness it was one that they never really recovered from.
On 13 minutes Waterford put a cracking move together as they began to grow into the game. Liam Dooley played the ball into mid field and Aaron English moved into space before finding Jay Lyons, the striker peeled off to the far post but his header from ten yards was easily saved by Lisburn goalkeeper Luke Kane.
Waterford were back on the attack minutes later, Sean Cullinane found space down the right and his cross beat everybody and went wide of the far post.
On 23 minutes Lisburn went two up, Jude Nelson picked up the ball in front of the Waterford defence and clipped a deep cross to the far post and Adam Shields lost his marker before scoring with a left foot drive.
Waterford responded well and almost pulled a goal back two minutes later, Liam Dooley lifted a free-kick into the box but again Jay Lyons saw his effort saved by Kane.
Back came Lisburn and Nelson saw his shot beat Waterford keeper John Byrne but Dooley was well placed to clear off the line and keep Waterford in the game.
Waterford pushed everybody forward in search of a goal but Lisburn centre back Finlay Kane was nothing short of excellent in defence.
Lisburn defended well and played on the counter attack. Waterford rang the changes midway through the second half with Louis Daly coming in the wing and Sam Morrissey joining the attack.
It was Morrissey who had a chance to get the young Blues back into the game, he picked up a pass and took on the Lisburn defence but Luke Kane was quick off his line to save at the striker’s feet.
John Byrne, Liam Dooley, Theo Stamper, Rory Crowley, Kayden English, Sean Cullinane, Aaron English, Dale Redmond, Jay Lyons, Milo Walsh, Lukas Ronayne, Robbie McCarthy, Joe Kirby, Sam Morrissey, Bryan Lacey, Louis Daly, Joe Jackman, James Dalton, Conor Douglas, Danny Rakel, Eoghan Griffin.
Luke Kane, Jayden Sloan, Ryan Moore, Dexter Winters, Ciaran Smyth, Mark McKevitt, Senan McDonnell, Jade Nelson, Darragh Ward, Kai Cunningham, Finn O'Hara, Aodhan Aldridge, Finlay Kane, Jackson Shaw, Cameron Moore, Adam Shields, Che Clake, Tony Winters.
Dave Kitson. Assisted by Brian Harney and Brian Hand.
