WIT who defeated CIT (2-1) in their Premier Division College University soccer League match played in Carriganore
Wednesday last proved to be a red letter day for the Waterford Institute of Technology because all three of their teams were in action in Carriganore and all three came out on top in their respective grades.
Cork IT provided the opposition in all three games. The Premier League team, playing under the guidance of manager-coach Paul O’Brien faced tough opposition from their Leeside opponents but they edged out a superb victory thanks to two well taken goals from the former Waterford United and Wexford Youths player Shane Nolan.
Danny O’Connell scored for Cork IT.
This game was in the balance right up to the final whistle but a strong defence well marshalled by Ian Sinnot and Nathan Brennan gave goalkeeper Matthew Connor plenty of protection during the course of the 90 minutes.
The WIT squad was as follows:
Matthew Connor, Niall Kennedy, Nathan Brennan, Ian Sinnott, Shane Mackey, Conor Coad, Cian Morton, Danny Carroll, Niall McCabe, Shane Nolan, Adam Prendergast, Graham Byrne, Roy Butler, Gavin Purcell, Ben Hickey, Sean Fitzgerald, Final score. WIT 2 Cork IT 1.
Next into action was the WIT Division 2 outfit and they also came out on top. This team are managed and coached by Deckie Howlett and they were never in any real danger against the visitors and a brace of goals from Hayden Galibert gave the hosts all three points. Final score WIT 2 Cork IT 0.
The Division 2 squad was as follows. Darragh Collopy, Joe Curran, Michael Walker, Daryl Carroll, Oisin McCathnaoil, Ben Dunphy, Kareem Abdol, Tom Doyle, Mrk Hayes, Steven Joy, Seanie Martin, Warren Vereker, Graham Kelly, Ian Redmond, Hayden Gailbert, Luke Doherty, Shane Walsh, Eoin Doyle.
The Division 3 team had high hopes of making it a great day for WIT and they took the field under the guidance of John Douglas and played out a thrilling seven goal thriller and also took all the spoils on offer.
Jason Goodison notched two goals in this encounter and Liam McMullins and Mark O’Hagan also chipped in with a goal apiece.
John Kennedy (2) and Kevin O’Sullivan were the net finders for Cork IT.
Final score. WIT 4 Cork IT 3.
Speaking after the three games John Douglas who is also the Football Development Officer at WIT admitted it was a wonderful day for the local institute. “It’s not often that you get days like this but I knew that all three teams were really up for their respective matches. There was a great buzz in all three camps before the games and the future looks good for the campaigns ahead. All of our teams this season look well balanced and when you look at the Premier League squad they have plenty of players who play with Waterford United and some more of them are involved with Wexford Youths.
Robin Croke, the Sports Director at WIT echoed the view of John Douglas. “I have been watching the three teams training hard since the last week of August and Paul O’Brien, Deckie Howlett and John Douglas have expressed their delight at the effort all of the players have put in during the past six or seven weeks. It’s a long season ahead but going on the displays today it should prove to be an enjoyable one and hopefully a successful one”.
