Waterford lose Kennedy Cup Final
There was no joy for the Waterford team in last weeks National Kennedy Cup competition which was once again stage at UL Limerick. It is eleven years since the local league won this tournament but they certainly made all football lovers proud last week by reaching the final but once again the powerful Dublin League came out on top just as they did against Waterford in 2005. Waterford beat Inishowen 3-1 in the opening game thanks to two goals from Oisin Knox and one from Regix Madika. On Wednesday the West Cork League were the opponents and Waterford won that game 3-0 with goals from Dylan Swales, Regix Madika and Daryl Walsh. Later that evening the Cavan-Monaghan League were the next outfit to feel the force of the powerful Waterford team. Regix Madika opened the scoring after 13 minutes and then further goals from Dylan Swales (27 mins) and another Madiaka goal had Waterford in a commanding three goal lead at the half time break. Manus McFadden of Carrick United completed the scoring in the last minute.
That four goal victory saw Waterford sit proudly at the top of the group and a date with the Sligo-Leitrim was next up in the quarter-final on Wednesday, June 18th. Dylan Swales opened the scoring after only 7 minutes and that was to prove to be the only goal of an extremely tight game. At that stage manager Tom Browne made it clear and his charges were now really beginning play well and he admitted the``we respect everyone and fear no one''.
The sem-final clash with the home county Limerick on Thursday was a tough ask but again the young Blues struck early when Regix Madika found the net after only 12 minutes. Frantic efforts be the home side failed to produce and equaliser and the scene was now set for another final date with the old enemy Dublin who had defeated Kildare in their semi-final game. Back in Waterford the news was greeted with much delight and many people made last minute arrangements to get to Limerick on Friday last for the final which kicked off at 2pm. Once again Waterford scored early, this time after only 50 seconds when the captain Lee O'Connor scored from the penalty spot after Dylan Swales had been fouled. However a deflected free kick by the DDSL on 50 minutes levelled matters. Ten minutes from full time another deflection, this time a shot by Gavin Kilkenny was good enough to win the game for Dublin. It was rough justice for Tom Browne's men but as already stated they did us proud and everyone was very proud of each and every player. The Waterford squad was as follows. Ian Holloway(Carrick) Luke O'Brien(Ferrybank) Gary Crotty (Dungarvan) Darragh Power (Kilmacthomas) Lee O'Connor(Villa) Daryl Walsh (Tramore) Adam Conway (Villa) Lee Costello (Carrick) Jack Larkin (Tramore) Cian Kinsella (Carrick) Conor Whittle (Piltown) Dean Beresford (Ballinroad) Dylan Swales (Dungarvan) Robert Tobin (Piltown) Ben Curham (Villa) Manus McFadden (Carrick) Jason Goldsmith (Villa) Oisin Knox (Ferrybank) Brian Cooke (Villa) Regix Madika(Tramore).
