Our academy boys were busy this morning with our u6 and u7 groups playing Carrick academy up in Tom Drohan Park. Goals, tackles, tears and smiles were the order of the day as the boys put all their training to test. Big thanks to Helen Russell and her helpers for hosting us.

Our u9s travelled to Ballyduff for a series of games and put in sterling performances in St Nicholas Park. Thanks to Ballyduff for having us.
Also a big thanks to all our own coaches for this morning, especially our younger helpers Jack Brennan, Sean Drennan and Aaron Mcloughlin.

Our under11s entertained Tramore this morning in Ashgrove and laid on two excellent games for the watching audience. Brilliant progress has been made by this large squad under the guidance of John Hearne and his coaches.

Best of luck to Emily Blackmore and Ciara O’Keeffe who line out tomorrow for the u13 and u15 Waterford Development Squads respectively against Cork in Carriganore at 2pm.

Tomorrow:
U11 home to Tramore, kick off 10.30
U13 away to Kilmac,
kick off 12.30
U12 Girls home to Carrick, kick off 1pm

Sunday:
4th division home to Dunmore, kick off 11am
2a home to Red Star, kick off 2pm
Youths away to Johnville, kick off 2pm
Best of luck to all sides this weekend.

Our u10 girls hosted Carrick this morning in cold conditions in Ashgrove. With all of these girls only starting out and underage for another couple of years they found the going tough against a physically stronger Carrick side. They battled from start to finish with all 16 girls doing well when given the chance. Back to the training pitch on Wednesday.

A disappointing result for the older lads where leaders De la Salle were lucky to come away with a draw. With a lengthy injury list already making things tricky, another couple of lads pulled up with injuries today to make matters worse. De la Salle took the lead in this one but it was Mooncoin Celtic who were putting on all the pressure. Gerry Walsh equalized from the penalty spot and only the woodwork on a couple of occasions denied us a winner. Not the result we looked for but a cracking display by the 13 on duty. Dunmore are next up next weekend.

Our U13’s squad took on Top of the table and unbeaten to date Kilmacow in Cold Wintery conditions in Ashgrove in the big South Kilkenny Derby . With Gaffer Derek Tebay away this weekend, Thomas O Brien and Catherine Blackmore stood up to the plate with a game plan and attempted to take the game to Top of the Table Kilmacow . Playing with the wind in the first half , we knew we needed a solid first half performance .The game started with both teams trying to get on top , with Kilmacow pushing foward early on to place a marker for the pace of the game. Mooncoin back four of Mike O Keeffe , Paddy Dermody, Ciara O Keeffe and Anthony Dunphy all stood strong and were not willing to give an inch and we tried to push the ball foward into our own half and see what opportunity might come our way. The pace of Stephen Brennan in the middle of the pitch was instrumental in getting the ball forward with Eoin O Callaghan and Mikie Cronin contesting every ball , our chance came in the 23rd minute when Mooncoin were awarded a corner. Eoin O Callaghan took the kick with Sherwan and Jason Ryan as the intended targets .He sent a beauty of a ball in that required any contact at all to finish to the net. The ball made contact with a Kilmacow defender and finished to the net . 1/nil Mooncoin . Mooncoin saw out the first half with Kilmacow having a couple of chances at an equalizer denied by quick thinking Keeper Jake Moore . At half time we knew that the second half would prove difficulty as we would be playing against a strong wind and the Kilmacow side that would be out to equalize and take control as quickly as possible. We started the second half full of belief with Ben O Hanlon breaking onto a lovely ball and pushing foward with Jason and Sherwan only to be denied by a vigilant Kilmacow defence . Both teams having a few chances in the second half and not being able to capitalize . The break came from Mooncoin when we were awarded another corner. Stephen Brennan sent the ball in … Sherwan was positioned to take a shot but an ever ready Jason Ryan got to the Ball and chipped it past the Kilmacow Keeper . The introduction of Emily Blackmore and Daniel Roberts rejuvenated tired legs and kept the play moving foward. Will Cudihy and Eoin Mcgrath came in to strengthen the defence . The lads saw the last 10 mins out determined not to let the lead slip and cleared any and every ball in their path. Every Mooncoin clearance in the dying minutes was met with loud cheers and encouragement from the parents and support on the line . This win meant the world to the kids , the coaches and the parents . And proudest of All was gaffer Derek Tebay who kept in touch for every minute of the Game…. Superb Performance all round with an excellent clean sheet for Jake aswell.

Our u11s travelled to play De la Salle in cold conditions but put in magnificent performances in both games with goals aplenty flying in.

Great win today in the cold & windy Alaska Park, hat tricks from Kieran, Rudi & 1 from debut Tom Conway. Put the game beyond Kilmac, a terrific squad performance well done all. Man of the match Kieran Fagan

A fitter and livelier Dunmore ran riot today with our boys conceding five for the second week in a row. Red Star await next weekend.