Waterford's Thomas Croke feels the full-force of this tackle from Galway's Jason Finn for which he recieved a yellow card. | Photos: Noel Browne
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It was meant to be a great day for Waterford youth football. Easter Monday saw the re-opening of Ozier Park, and it has to be said that the famous old lady of soccer in Waterford looked better than ever. The famous venue was in sublime condition, and the revamped playing surface was a joy to behold.
However, when the game got underway it was clear to see that the Galway visitors were a top-class outfit and they duly went on to book a place in the final against either Cork or Wicklow.
A very strong breeze blew a gale throughout, and the team from the West of Ireland won the toss and decided to play with the advantage of the elements – a vital factor in their triumph. They led two-nil at half-time, and the fact that Waterford missed a penalty during the opening 45 minutes meant the home side had a mountain to climb in the second period.
When the visitors scored once again soon after the change of ends the game died a death and what was supposed to be a red letter day for Waterford football turned out to be nothing more than a damp squib.
The local side were dealt a double whammy before the game even got underway. Star midfielder Liam O’Rourke failed a fitness test and another top-rated player, Adam Heaslip, had injured his shoulder the previous Saturday playing Gaelic Games. Their loss proved too much of a handicap for Waterford and as a result the prospect of playing the final in Ozier Park disappeared in the breeze. It was very much as case of ‘Gone with the Wind’.
See The Munster Express newspaper for full match report.
