Watergrasshill claim first points of U19 league season with victory over Mayfield

Mayfield 1 

Watergrasshill United 3

Watergrasshill United beat the hosts in their Daly Industrial Supplies U19 League 1A game at Mayfield Park last Saturday morning.

Before the game, there was a minute's silence for former Mayfield United player and committee member Willie Lettis. Manager Pat O’Flynn paid tribute to a great and wonderful club man.

"At Mayfield United, we were very shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Willie Lettis last Tuesday.

"Willie was a huge part of Mayfield United and over his years with us he served as player, treasurer and club secretary. More importantly, he was a great character and a gentleman.

“We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Kay, his daughter Gwen and his sons Colin and Ronan.

“May his eternal soul rest in peace,” a very emotional O’Flynn added.

Watergrasshill led 2-0 at halftime thanks to goals from Paul Budeiki and Cathal O’Brien.

They increased their lead through captain Alex Cronin. Mayfield pulled a goal back through Darragh O’Flynn and had a few chances to further reduce the deficit, however, Watergrasshill keeper Daniel O’Connor pulled off some good saves to ensure they went away with all three points.

Mayfield had the first sight of goal in the seventh minute when End Cungulo showed great feet on the left, but O’Connor made a fine save at his near post. 

Watergrasshill went in front four minutes later. Rio Horgan made a strong run into the box and squared the ball for Paul Badeiki to score from close range. 

They could have increased their lead in the 24th minute, Horgan played a delightful pass to Robert Flynn-McCarthy but his powerful was stopped by Mayfield stand-in keeper Sean O’Sullivan. 

They doubled their lead in the 43rd minute. Cathal O’Brien picked up a loose ball 25 yards from goal and he powered his effort into the net to give O’Sullivan no chance.

Watergrasshill started the second half on the front foot and increased their lead 3-0 four minutes from the restart. Badeiki raced down the left wing and put in an inch-perfect pass for their captain Alex Cronin to score from close range. 

However, the Mayfield boys made a great response and they pulled a goal back in the 54th minute when Christopher O’Keeffe whipped in a dangerous corner and Darragh O’Flynn was the first to react and smash his effort into the net. 

The game became very open after that goal, as Mayfield searched for another goal and they came very close in the 70th minute when Darren Brosnan's looping header was heading for the roof of the net, but Watergrasshill keeper O’Connor somehow tipped the ball over the bar.

They had another great opportunity five minutes later when O’Keeffe played another superb pass but Aedan Kiely-O’Maonaigh screwed his effort wide. 

In fairness to both sides, they played some good football in terrible conditions and when Watergrasshill Fionn Doyle flicked the ball over the head of O’Sullivan in the Mayfield goal in the 80th minute, it took a superb clearance off the line from Robert McNicholas to deny him. 

Mayfield put the visitors under the cosh in the final few minutes but they managed the game out to get their first three points of the season.

MAYFIELD UNITED: Sean O’Sullivan, Christopher O’Keeffe, Adam O’Connor, Robert McNicholas, Calum McCarthy, Darragh O’Flynn, Aedan Kiely-O’Maonaigh, Jacob Long, Darren Brosnan, Gerard Barrett, End Cungulo.

WATERGRASSHILL UNITED: Daniel O’Connor, Luke Good, Karl Manley, Robert Flynn-McCarthy, Alex Cronin, Rio Horgan, Paul Badeiki, Cathal Kirwin, Conor Webb, Cathal O’Brien, Liam Hadlow.

Subs: Alex Harrington for Kirwin (58), Ryan Egan for Hadlow (58), Fionn Doyle for Good (61), Alex Fitzgerald for Cronin (71).

Referee: Jason Creamer.