Bolger Cup semi-finals this weekend

With the two outstanding group games remaining now played since last week, the scene is set for the two semi-finals of the Bolger Cup which will be played this coming weekend. The semi-final pairings are very interesting and both games see the losing team of the past two years and last year’s winners kept apart. Holders Brideview will have Inch as visitors to Leonard Fraser Park and Cappoquin/Inch will play host to the losers for the past two years, Valley Rgs A - so we should have two exciting games on Sunday. We will report on both games in the notes next week.

Ww are delighted to congratulate WW/ EC Junior League secretary, Sean Sheehan, who was elected onto the Executive of the Munster Football Association at their council meeting held in Charleville last Thursday night. Due to Covid, this was the first face to face meeting of the MFA since January 2020. Since then, council meetings and the MFA AGM were held via Zoom calls.

However, it was back to all league representatives getting together on Thursday night and while Sean had been proposed some weeks back, it was ratified at this meeting. This is a very important role in the MFA administration, as all eleven leagues have now been joined by the Women’s Leagues in the province and the MFA Council is now a much bigger council than previously. As the WW/EC Junior League is not only the smallest league in the province, but in the country, and to have a representative on the MFA Executive is an honour, not only for Sean himself, but also for the league.

We have heard that there is a new sub-committee being put in place for the FAI and that that the WW/EC will be represented on this committee. We will give more details when we have the full story. Suffice to say, the WW/EC Junior League is still to the fore in what we call the new FAI.

In our Blast from the Past this week, we continue to look back at season 2013/14.

BOLGER CUP RESULTS Valley Rgs A 2 Kinsalebeg 0

Played under lights at Cappoquin last Tuesday night, last year’s beaten finalists Valley Rgs A led by a goal to nil at half-time. Kinsalebeg tried hard in the second half for the equaliser and Valley had to defend strongly, but with two minutes remaining the Conna side scored to progress to a Bolger Cup semi-final.

We got the report of the game from Kinsalebeg, but unfortunately Valley did not bother to contact us with the scorers. The Valley club will be fined as per league rule for failure to phone in result to the league PRO.

Cappoquin/Railway 4 Valley Rgs B 0

This was the last of the group games, played under lights at Cappoquin on Wednesday night week and the win saw the home team top their group and have home advantage in the semi-final against Valley Rgs A.

Unfortunately, neither club bothered to send in the result of the game to the league PRO, who had to contact the committee for the result. Both clubs will be fined as per league rule.

PREVIEWS

This Sunday morning the two Tony Bolger Cup semi-finals will take place. The final will be played on Sunday, 10th October at Fitzgerald Park at 11am.

Brideview v Inch

The cup holders and group winners, Brideview, have home advantage against Inch on Sunday morning. The Tallow side went on a scoring spree in their group, scoring ten times away to Kinsalebeg without reply, but then drew at home with neighbours Valley Rgs A 3-3. The goal difference was enough to see Brideview top the group. Inch on the other hand in their group defeated Valley Rgs B, but lost to Cappoquin/Railway and the combination team then defeated Valley Rgs B and topped the group, with Inch as runners-up.

Brideview are the Bolger Cup masters having won the trophy on 17 occasions, losing two finals. Last season’s final was only played in June and saw the Tallow team defeat Valley Rgs A 4-1.

This season they played their first game when defeating Kinsalebeg and a few days later played at home to Tramore AFC in the Munster Junior Cup and while playing well for 50mins, the fitness levels of the visitors told and Tramore went on to score seven goals to Brideview’s lone goal, scored by Michael Curley from the penalty spot. The following Wednesday night, Brideview played at home to Valley Rgs A and the game ended in a 3-3 draw.

Inch come to Tallow with one win and a loss in their two group games. They won at Conna against Valley Rgs B 4-2 and then lost 4-3 away to Cappoquin/Railway.

This will be Inch’s second consecutive Bolger Cup semi-final. Last August they had home advantage against Valley Rgs and though they took an early lead, lost 1-2. Many of that team will be playing with Inch including Leonard Byrne who scored two goals in the defeat to Cappoquin/Railway. Leonard we believe is the longest serving player at present in the league.

Brideview’s record in the Bolger Cup and home advantage should see them into another final.

Cappoquin/Railway v Valley Rgs A

Valley come to the Danes Field hoping to make their third consecutive Bolger Cup final. Two years ago they lost out to Cappoquin/Railway 2-1 at Fitzgerald Park in October 2019. The Conna side were firm favourites but came up against a Cappoquin/Railway side who took their chances. Last June at Lismore they lost to Brideview 4-1 in the final. No doubt they will want to make amends this year.

Valley are also involved in the Munster Junior Cup when they will have home advantage against the Villa from Waterford. Valley had a bye in the 1st round of the FAI Junior Cup and as we compile our notes, we do not know who they will play in the 2nd round.

Valley Rgs and Brideview are two of the most experienced clubs in the league. Their team has players who have been involved in the Bolger Cup for the past two years and this should stand to them on Sunday.

We have not seen or heard anything of Cappoquin/Railway, only they defeated Inch 4-3 in their opening group game and last Wednesday, defeated Valley Rgs B 4-0. They did surprise Valley two years in the final and no doubt with victories in their two group games and home advantage, they can enter the game with a degree of confidence.

Not an easy game to call, but we make Valley, with their experience to get through to another Bolger Cup final.

FIXTURES

Tony Bolger Cup semi-finals: Brideview v Inch 11am, Cappoquin/Railway v Valley Rgs A 11am.

SYMPATHY

We were saddened to hear last week of the death on 14th September of Billy Kennedy, formerly South Mall, Lismore and Washington St., Cork.

Billy worked in Dublin for many years and was transferred to the CSO Office in Cork and only retired a few years ago. Billy kept in touch with this correspondent on a regular basis re the happenings in Lismore AFC, the WW/EC League (Red House League) and of course, Waterford FC. An avid Blues fans through the years, Johnny Matthews, Peter Thomas and Alfie Hale were some of his idols and he enjoyed nothing more as to when the Blues were victorious, especially against Cork Hibernians or in later years, Cork City.

Billy enjoyed meeting Matthews and Thomas when they played cricket with Lismore in the late sixties and early seventies. Some of his stand out moments were when Waterford played each August during the Lismore Festival against Cork Hibernians and Limerick at the cricket pitch.

Billy loved to talk of the “infamous” game at Flower Lodge on 16th April, 1972 that saw Waterford come from two goals down and ten players to defeat Hibs 2-3. Needless to say there are plenty of us Waterford supporters who still get pleasure and enjoyment speaking of that game. When Hibs’ manager Dave Bacuzzi died in April 2020, Billy rang us in case we were not after getting the sad news. Billy was off reminiscing of the Flower Lodge game once again.

As regards the WW/EC League, Billy worked with two former league officials. Pat Casey who was treasurer and Tony Horgan who was referee and was kept up to date with all the happenings in the league. He was a member of the Cork Branch of Chelsea and travelled to many of their home games.

To his sister Marian, his brother Joe and the extended Kennedy family, we send sincere sympathy and we will miss those text and phone calls from Washington Street. Ar dheis Dé ar a anam.

OVER 35 LEAGUE

We wrote last week of the league’s proposal to run an Over 35 league this season, starting in a few weeks time if enough clubs will show an interest. The committee have already been in touch with clubs and they are inviting clubs/teams to enter the inaugural WW/EC Over 35 League. We have been asked to remind all those interested to make contact with the league before Friday, 24th September.

The games will be played midweek on AstroTurf with a format of all teams playing one round of fixtures for seeding purposes and then splitting into two divisions with all teams reverting back to 0 points.

For clubs interested in entering team/s they will need to have a home fixture pitch (Astro) suitable for midweek games. This league is open to all teams regardless of what the club’s name is as long as the home fixture pitch is within the WW/EC territory. This is open to new entrants who have not got a league affiliated club at present, so please pass the word around.

As the plan of the committee is to get the league started in early October, all are asked to contact Sean Sheehan, hon secretary WW/EC Junior League, before this Friday, 24th September. Full details will be made available at the next delegate meeting on Monday, 4th October at the Hall in Piltown, Kinsalebeg.

DELEGATE MEETING

There will be a delegate meeting of the WW/EC Junior League on Monday, 4th October at the Hall in Piltown, Kinsalebeg hosted by the Kinsalebeg Celtic. As this will be the first meeting since the new season commenced, it is imperative that all clubs are present. Cup competitions, the commencement of the league and the proposed Over 35 league will all be on the agenda.

AIRTRICITY LEAGUE

What a game we had at the UCD Bowl last Friday night in the Extra.IE FAI Cup quarter-final that saw Waterford come from behind twice to defeat the students with a last minute goal. This was as exciting and nerve biting cup game that one could wish for. This cup game was always going to be a tough fixture for the Blues as the students are playing well in the 1st Division, battling for one of the play-off places.

They lived up to our expectations as they attacked Waterford from the off with ex Blues player Collie Whelan causing the visiting defence many problems. He opened the scoring for the students after just 8mins when he got the better of Halford and gave Murphy no chance in the Waterford goal.

Manager Marc Bircham made a switch in his defence and this seemed to settle the Blues and they began to make inroads. The UCD defence must take blame for the equaliser which arrived on 36mins when, what can only be described as poor defensive work, saw Junior Quitirna pick up a loose pass and he ran into the area and shot into Lorcan Healy’s net. Waterford got on top and should have taken the lead a few minutes before half-time when a brilliant cross by Evans was just missed by the inrushing Isaac Tshipamba.

The students took the lead four minutes after the restart. Whelan started the movement with a brilliant run that saw him glide past a few Waterford tackles and he passed to Kerrigan who found the corner of Murphy’s net with a brilliant strike. Waterford had to hit back and they did when Mutswunguma was fouled in the area and Phoenix Patterson despatched the spot kick. This was turning into a real full blooded cup tie with end to end play from both teams.

Waterford then had to depend on the man who we have dubbed the best ‘keeper in the league, Brian Murphy, as he was called upon to make two crucial saves. Whelan was put through but Murphy was out of his goal to save the one-on-one situation. Then UCD were awarded a penalty with under 20mins remaining and Whelan saw his spot kick brilliantly saved by Murphy and tipped round the post at the expense of a corner. With 10mins to go, Healy saved well from Mutswunguma. Time was running out and we were expecting a replay at the RSC on Tuesday, when on the stroke of the 90th minute Patterson broke loose and crossed for Mutswunguma to put the ball into Healy’s net. There were 4mins of injury time to be played and UCD were awarded a free from just outside the area, but the Waterford defence held firm and when Rob Hennessy blew the final whistle, there was delight and relief on the faces of the Waterford team and backroom staff that they had reached the last four for the first time since 2008.

Waterford join Bohemians, St. Patrick’s Ath. and the winners of Dundalk at home to Finn Harps, who will have played their replay on Tuesday night.

Our Man of the Match award has to go to Waterford’s Brian Murphy who was outstanding, not just for the penalty save, but his overall game.

We have to be honest, he had a real challenger in UCD’s Collie Whelan. The ex-Waterford player was outstanding and while he saw his spot kick saved, he was the driving force behind all of the students’ attacks. It was obvious to all present why he is held in such high regard by Ireland U21 manager, Jim Crawford and his assistant, Alan Reynolds. Both were present at the game and Whelan must have impressed them.

This week, Waterford return to league football when they play the first of nine remaining league games and Drogheda are visitors. This will be the fourth meeting, with Drogheda winning at home in the first game 1-0, they then came to the RSC when Waterford fielded their U19 team and the Drogs won 0-7; then two months ago in Drogheda, Waterford won 1-2. At present, Drogheda are fifth from bottom, but eight points clear of Waterford who are third last. Two results from last week went the Blues’ way, when Finn Harps lost at home 1-2 to Bohemians and Sligo won at home 2-1 against Dundalk.

With nine games to play, there are 27 points available, but being realistic, half of those should see them safely in the Premier next season. Let us hope they can get all three points on Friday night.

Saturday week, Waterford travel to the Showgrounds to play Sligo followed by a home game against Derry and then we believe what is the big game, at home to Finn Harps. October is going to be a very important month for Waterford as there is so much to play for. All home games have now taken on a must win scenario and try and pick up a point, or better again three points, on the road. Much football to be played yet.

Cork City make the trip to the Markets Field on Friday night to play Treaty Utd. On their last visit to the Limerick venue in April, Treaty came out on top 2-1 against a disappointing City side. The league table show a win for Treaty will almost guarantee them a play-off spot while for City it will take a number of results going against the four or five top clubs to give them a chance of the play-offs.

Colin Healy is definitely building a young team for next season but the current season is turning out to be a disappointment.

Cobh Ramblers, already out of the cup and sitting second last in the table, have Bray as visitors to St. Colman’s Park on Saturday night. The visitors are still in the hunt for a play-off place for promotion and will start favourites and on current form, should take all three points.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

This week, we continue to look back at season 2013/14 with the Ned Barry Cup which was sponsored by O’Neill Sports.

LISMORE WIN BARRY CUP

The Barry Cup commenced Saturday, 11th January with Cappoquin winning at home to An Ghaeltacht 1-0.

The following day Kinsalebeg lost at home to Railway Athletic 1-2.

On 19th January, holders Lismore travelled to Ballymac to play Pinewood and in a game we reported on, the visitors won a cracking cup tie 1-2 with the result in doubt up to the final whistle. Castlebridge won at home to Clashmore 3-1; Brideview A defeated Kilworth at Tallow 4-2 and Valley Rgs B won at Conna v Brideview B 2-1. At Sexton Park, Inch won the local derby against Mogeely 1-0, Valley Rgs A won away at Fermoy against Caherdrinna 0-6.

The second round was played on 23rd February with a shock result at Cappoquin when the home team lost to Valley Rgs B 1-3. Valley A travelled to the Castle Farm ground and lost 7-2 to Lismore.

Railway Athletic and Castlebridge drew 2-2 aet at Cappoquin, with Railway winning the penalty shoot-out 4-1. In Tallow, Brideview A defeated Inch 6-2.

The first semi-final was played at Cappoquin with Lismore defeating Valley Rgs B 3-0. Dec Ryan, Shane Bennett and an o.g. for Lismore.

The second semi-final was played the following day, 16th March at Kinsalebeg where Railway defeated Brideview A 4-2 with S Kennefick, D O’Keeffe, J O’Keeffe and K O’Sullivan scoring for Railway, while Michael Curley scored both Brideview goals, one a penalty.

The O’Neill sponsored Ned Barry Cup final was played at Tallow on Sunday, 6th April. Lismore and Railway finished level 2-2 aet and Lismore won the penalty shootout 5-4.

The report from the game notes that the pitch was in excellent condition considering the heavy rain of Saturday and Sunday morning. Railway took the lead after only three minutes when a ball over the top saw Killian O’Sullivan leave the Lismore back four for dead, as he raced into the area and scored past the advancing Barry. Barry then made two great saves, both from O’Sullivan and Railway were totally on top. O’Sullivan did score again from a Danny O’Keeffe pass. Indeed, the report of the game continued to tell us Railway were the better team in the opening half and should have been more than two goals in the lead.

The second half saw a rejuvenated Lismore and they attacked immediately and seven minutes after the restart, Gavin Pratt scored to cut the deficit. As the game progressed, it was obvious Lismore were taking a hold on the game and they started to use the flanks and from a cross into the area, Kevin O’Donoghue headed the equalising goal. This was the full time score and 20mins of extra time failed to separate the teams and then it was onto penalties. The first six spot kicks were scored, 3-3, the fourth kicks were saved by both ‘keepers and the fifth kicks were scored. Sudden death saw Barry save Railway’s sixth and Lismore score and the cup was on its way back to Lismore for a third consecutive season.

A very sporting final, disappointing for Railway, but Lismore showed once again they are never beaten in a cup final. Killian O’Sullivan was voted Man of the Match.

Lismore captain Alan landers set a record, captaining Lismore in the three cup victories and also captained Blackwater when they became the first winners of the Barry Cup. A captain’s record that is unlikely ever to be equalled in the league.

Lismore - Steve Barry, S Flavin, A Landers (capt), J Healy, E Walsh, B Landers, K Hayes, G Pratt, S Reaney, D Glavin, K O’Donoghue. Reserves - J Shanahan, P Quinn, C Tobin, F Daly, Seanie Barry.

Railway Ath. - A Dwyer, J Flynn, P Coughlan, L McLoughlin, J Landers, D Dransfield (capt), S Kennefick, D O’Keeffe, K O’Sullivan, R Duggan, K Power. Reserves - J O’Keeffe, K Farrell, S Power, D Browne.

Referee Joe O’Riordan, assistants Eamonn Cusack and Maurice Hartnett.

CAHERDRINNA DEFEATED IN FINAL

The Kelly Kitchens Perpetual Cup commenced in February and is a competition for teams knocked out in the 1st round of the Ned Barry Cup.

Clashmore at home defeated An Ghaeltacht 3-2. Mogeely drew at home with Caherdrinna 2-2 and the visitors won the penalty shoot-out 5-3. Brideview B at home defeated Pinewood 2-1.

On March 16th, Kinsalebeg had home advantage against Kilworth, but the visitors conceded the game as they did not have enough players.

The two semi-finals were played on 27th April. Clashmore and Kinsalebeg played out a 2-2 draw at Clashmore. The penalty shoot-out saw Clashmore win 4-1.

The second semi-final was played at Tallow with Brideview B losing to Caherdrinna 2-3 - S Price, J Fitzgibbon and J O’Shea scored for the winners.

The Kelly Kitchens Perpetual Cup final was played at Clashmore on 4th May with Clashmore defeating Caherdrinna 3-1. Two goals from substitute Paul O’Connor and a penalty from John Murphy were the winners’ scorers, while Bill Daly replied for the losers.

Clashmore - D Curran, D Byrne, G Hogan, J Murphy, S Fraser, J Walsh, A Trihy, S Dalton, P O’Rourke, M Walsh, A Curley. Reserves - JP Carey, B Ansboro, P O’Connor, A Duggan, V Coonan.

Caherdrinna - C O’Donoghue, T Walsh, K Masterson, M O’Rourke, J O’Donoghue, J Fitzgibbon, T Graham, B Daly, E Murphy, J Frewen, J O’Shea. Reserves - B English, B Martin, C Peppard, JJ Graham.

Referee was Dec Fogarty, assistants were Seamus Forde and Anthony Kelly.

The Golden Boot winners for season 2013/14 were - Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier Paul O’Brien Brideview, 14 goals; Lismore House Hotel 1st Division Killian O’Sullivan Railway Athletic, 17 goals.

The Player of the Year Awards, selected by the referees - Premier Michael Curley, Brideview; 1st Division Killian O’Sullivan, Railway Athletic.

Next week we will write on the Fraser Cup, the U17 League and the FAI Youth Inter League.