Under-19 League Semi Final:
Waterford v Drogheda United
(Sunday 20th October 2019 – RSC, 2pm)
A massive game for our Under-19 panel this Sunday as Drogheda United make the trip to the RSC. Following an impressive late win over Dundalk in the quarter final, the Blues will be hoping for a similar result but perhaps in not as late fashion. Drogheda have earned their spot in the final four with a fine win against Southern Division winners Cork City in Bishopstown two weeks ago and will come into this tie believing they can overcome another side away from home. In a big weekend for their club, their senior side played the first leg of the First Division promotion playoff.
Gary Hunt’s side have been in excellent form of late and will be delighted to have home advantage for such a big game. Speaking ahead of the game, Hunt insisted the lads are treating every game as a cup final. “We were delighted to get the result against Dundalk albeit in dramatic fashion but I felt we had done enough to deserve the win. Each game brings up a different opponent and it would be silly for us to think that home advantage gets us one foot in the final. The lads are extremely focused on the task at hand and are really excited to have the opportunity to play again in front of our home support but they are fully aware of the threat Drogheda will bring. I am looking forward to seeing how the lads adapt to this new opponent but at the same time showing the quality they have done so far this season.”
Colm Whelan will continue to lead the line and, having scored 26 goals so far this season, will be someone Drogheda will be keeping a close eye on. Other impressive performers the last day were central midfield partners Dean Beresford and Niall O’Keeffe. Both have made this position their own this season and the former has taken on captain duties in impressive fashion. Clonmel pair Jack O’Donnell and Sam Dwyer remain on the injury list and will miss out on the game but the Blues will have the same squad to select from as they did versus Dundalk.
Under-13 Shield Cup Semi Final
Cabinteely v Waterford
(Ballychorus, 2.30pm)
Also this Sunday, our Under-13s make the trip to the capital for their semi final against Cabinteely who topped their group last week after Shelbourne beat Wexford in the final game. Even though development is the focus for this fine group of players, it is welcome to be still competing at the business end of the season and the lads will be looking to add another good performance and in turn a positive result.
Consecutive wins over Kerry secured our place in the semi finals and the lads have been putting in some great work on the training ground. “I have seen these lads working so hard week in, week out at the WIT Arena and I am delighted to see them have the opportunity to still be competing at the business end of the season,” explained Hunt. The inaugural U13 league has been a great platform for the best players in the south east to represent the Blues and it has also seen as many as nine of the squad feature in national assessment weekends.
Get behind the Blues this weekend and show your support in two big games!
