The Southend squad celebrate after their deserved play-off win over Bohs. | Photos: Noel Browne
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If ever a group of players deserved to win a trophy it was the Southend United team who were crowned Rexam Youth A champions in Ozier Park last week. They have been through hell and high water during the past season, and at times it looked as if they might end up with nothing to show for their efforts.
Many of them have suffered heartache in recent months, losing out to teams in the latter stages of both the FAI and Munster Cups, and also missing out on a Waterford Youth Cup final appearance on penalties in the semi-final.
One wondered how they would cope if they lost this play-off. How much more could they take? Paddy Carey and Keith Green had the task of lifting them for this league decider and what a job they did. The tangerine-clad warriors dominated the game from start to finish and Bohemians could have no complaints whatsoever about being denied a league and cup double.
The cup champions were overrun all through this contest, and it came as no surprise that scenes of high emotion followed the full-time whistle and the presentation of the league trophy. Many of the players’ parents were present to congratulate their sons on a result which has lifted the club out of the doldrums.
Having been relegated from the Premier League for the first time in their history, this was just what Southend United needed and on the evidence of this display the future is bright for one of Waterford’s oldest clubs.
See The Munster Express newspaper for full match report.
