We made the trip to sun kissed Connors park for the first game in our quest to retain the cup and the lads were forced to dig deep for the win to advance to the quarter finals.
We dominated the opening 15 minutes playing some brilliant football on the immaculate surface but sadly failed to turn possession into any clear chances.
The home side got on top in midfield and forced us on the back foot for the remaining of the half pressuring us into hurried passes and clearences.
We opened the scoring against the run of play when a long clearance upfield seemed destined to land safely in the Villa keepers hands but Lee Tracey chased the lost cause to just get a toe to the ball before the keeper and nudge it into an empty goal.
The home side responded immediately with sweeping moves up the pitch and when a quick ball split our defence the cross to the back post was met by Villa striker for the easiest of finishes for the equaliser.
Few harsh words at half time took a while to sink in as the home side continued to hold the ascendancy in the opening 10 minutes of the second half and took the lead when a brilliantly struck corner made it’s way to the net via the back post .
Not for the first time this season our lads had to go deep into the well to find a way a back and it was a mighty response.
The thoughts of a cup exit spurred the lads into action and a deep cross from the left wing was finished superbly with the coolest of headers by Dan Fewer.
A tactical reshuffle in midfield allowed the lads to play on their terms for the remainder of the game .The passing, chasing and tackling was top quality and the lads efforts were rewarded when Lee forced a defender into a mistake to dispossess him and play a ball across the box and a retreating defender was adjudged to have handled the ball.
Lee made no mistake from the spot by firing high into the net to put us 3.2 ahead .
The remainder of the game was real end to end stuff and some outstanding defending by Padraig Delahunty ensured the Villa attack were denied scoring an equaliser.
A good tough cup game that the home side were unfortunate to lose.
Last league game takes place on Wednesday in Kilmacow at 6.30 , a win will keep us top and force Johnville to win their remaining two games to deny us the title. Our lads have given us some terrific displays of football all season and matured into a serious team so it would be greatly appreciated if we could get as much support as possible in Kilmacow on Wednesday.

When you are in form you are in form and this side go from strength to strength. Today we faced tough opposition who were unbeaten in the league since September of last year St. Paul’s.. 5 wins on the trot sees us climb the table. We put in a performance today which was by far the best this group of players have put in together a little of the track that we went one down here… however starting in Goal where Captain Adam Conway put in another great performance with great aerial presence and communicating with the defence. A defence that kept this strong attacking team at bay all day…. right back Ciara O’Keefe was outstanding. St Paul’s switched players on that side more than twice cause they couldn’t pass her. The same to say for Denis Kinsella at left back who is on fire.. Central defence which is a mean one for any attack were superb today. Mikey Cronin is made a steel and backs out of nothing and was excellent. At his side was Tom Conway who put in his best performance to date and won absolutely everything coming out to meet the ball and breaking down attacks. We played a new three way system in the middle of the park today. Liam Hogan was excellent involved in everything and never put a foot wrong… Work horse Alex Bailey was also outstanding as part of this and too much to handle for the opposition involved in everything and creating many attacks. Lee Freyne made up the three and he was an absolute joy to watch today playing a passing game that was so impressive.. we won a free after St. Paul’s got the opener and Lee Freyne buried it from 40 yards. Some great attacking play involving a hugely impressive Sean Lennon giving a pass to Lee who gave a brilliant ball to Alex Bailey who scored an absolute screamer from 25 yards out. Sam Hartwell playing upfront as the lone striker is giving defences a nightmare since he returned after injury and got our 3rd goal after a great run. Eoin O’Callaghan can’t stop scoring and he made it 4-1 to see us out. Mike O’Keeffe and Emily Blackmore came into the game and added fresh legs towards the end and created many chances seeing off St. Paul’s. Impossible to name a player of the match today as they all deserved it!!…. away to Villa next Saturday which should be a cracker… well done to all and great to see the travelling support.

Due to Bournemouth slipping up and Wolves also not winning we had 9 fallers today.

We travelled to abbeyside on a beautiful sunny morning which was perfect for a game of football. The lads started brightly and dominated from the start. A quick goal by Jamie Croke set the tone and we peppered the home goal . The opener was quickily followed up by a long range effort from centre half Liam Joy. Ben Brennan was like a livewire cutting through their defence at will before crashing home a 3rd. A fourth followed before half time with a Ben shot being turned home by Jamie 4.0 at the break. We continued to press in the second half but playing up the hill the chances werent as plentyful. Anil Ramaswamy curled a fantastic free off the upright half way through the half before Robbie Doherty converted from close range to complete the scoring 5.0.
Solid performance from the entire squad man of the match Ben Brennan.
Seaview away next Saturday in what should be a cracker.
Big thanks to JP Byrne for his common sense approach to refereeing this morning, this man has a big future in the game.

Tomorrow:
U12 away to Abbeyside,
kick off 10.30
U14 away to St Paul’s,
Kick off 12.30

Sunday
Youth Cup away to Villa, kick off 2pm

Monday
U15 home to Bohs, kick off 10.30
Please try get out and support our schoolboy and youth teams.

Over the last three days the Viking cup at u12,u13 and u15 have been taking place in WIT and we had 3 representatives playing with the Waterford squads. Mia Ponce de Leon at u12, Emily Blackmore at u13 and Ciara O’Keeffe at u15. All three girls played well against top class opposition.

Former Mooncoin Celtic player Niamh O’Keeffe now playing with Piltown also played at u15 level with Kilkenny.

Big representation from our small little village. Well done girls.

Our u10 girls took part in a blitz in the WIT Carriganore complex today in glorious conditions. Our two teams played three games each and put in excellent performances against bigger and more physical opposition. Big thanks to all parents for supporting them and also a massive thanks to Dee Travers, Mossie O’Donnell, Trevor Cronin and Ritchie Lynch for looking after the teams. Good experience gained by the girls.

The best of luck to the Waterford Girls squads and especially our ownEmily Blackmore l, Mia Ponce de Leon and Ciara O’Keeffe as they compete in the Viking cup in the WIT Carriganore today and tomorrow.

Our u11s who finished off their training blitz this evening with two cracking games.

Big well done to all the kids and also to the coaches for the great work put into the group.

A little update for our 300 Club members. This months winnings was 302 euros and 7 daily millions tickets no winnings on the daily millions so total to date is 2212 euros.

It’s growing and as always, thank you for your support. The next monthly draw will take place Sunday 28th April in Doyles Bar.