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As we continue the build up for Saturday’s MU17 Mark Farren Cup Final agaist St. Patrick’s Athletic, we caught up with Waterford FC Academy Manager Mike Geoghegan to look ahead to this weekend’s game.

For the first time in eight years, Waterford FC will face off in the Mark Farren Cup final against St. Patrick’s Athletic FC – a competition the Blues won in 2017 defeating Sligo Rovers FC 4-2 at home at the RSC.

Ahead of Saturday’s showdown at the Carlisle Grounds in Bray (kick-off 3:30pm), Waterford FC’s Academy Manager spoke to us where he gave us his thoughts ahead of Saturday’s final, and what it means to be involved in such a prestigious event.

“Its very exciting for the academy to have these type of big days out – rewarding players and staff for the hard work they put in over the year” Mike mentioned. “It gives us a chance to showcase our players and to see how they match up against another top academy in St. Patrick’s Athletic FC”.

The Blues have earned their place in this years final after defeating Treaty United, Cobh Ramblers, and UCD on their way – wins that Geoghegan felt were deserved ourely on their performances alone on the pitch. “It is well deserved [reaching the final]. We got two wins away at Treaty United (1-4) and Cobh Ramblers (0-1) which are not easy places to go; Cobh in particular was a game we had to battle to win by a single goal. We met a UCD team in the semi-final that were unbeaten for the season and top of Tier One and we got a deserved win on the day (3-2).”

Saturday’s opponents St. Patrick’s Athletic have built an academy which have become a constant threat across all age groups of League of Ireland football in recent years – with former Saints first-team captain Ian Bermingham now leading their academy as their Head of Academy Football. Geoghegan told us of what type of side the Blues will be up against in Bray this weekend: “There is no doubt St. Pat’s will be a tough game. All their teams are well coached & well set-up, and this Saturday’s game will be no different. A lot of their squad have been in-and-around the Ireland underage international squads so we will have to be at our best. They will not give us anything, but I think we are good enough to edge it on Saturday”.

We asked Mike what it would mean to the academy as a whole to emerge victorious on Saturday – an achievement that would mark another historic day for Waterford FC. “It would be great for the players to win on Saturday as it will build confidence for the future.”

Geoghegan concluded with mentioning the competitive nature of the squad that has pushed each other week on week this year, saying: “It will be a difficult day for lads who don’t make the match day squad despite their efforts & for others who may not get on the pitch on the day so we need to manage that side of it. A special mention to MU15 player Joel Obesie who has been excellent for the MU17’s in recent games, but is suspended for the final on Saturday.”

Saturday’s Mark Farren Cup Final against St. Patrick’s Athletic FC at the Carlisle Grounds, Bray, (3:30pm) will be broadcast live on LOITV from 3:15pm. For those attending the game, adult tickets are priced at €5 with U12s priced at just €2 – all tickets can be purchased at the gate on matchday.