Blast from the Past. Goals flow on rainy night at The Cross as Cork and Waterford play thriller in FAI Youth Championship

Blast from the Past. Rainy night at The Cross as eight-goal thriller in FAI Youth Championship ends all square. Long hat-trick in vain!

Pics 7th January 2004

Cork AUL   4 Waterford DL 4

Players make a dash for the comfort of the dressing rooms.

Douglas Hall’s star defender Seamus Long scored a hat trick but ended up with that losing feeling as the Cork AUL bowed out of the FAI national inter-league championship after Wednesday’s 4-4 draw with group winners Waterford at Turner’s Cross. The AUL needed a win to beat Tipperary Southern to the second qualifying spot.

But, to be fair, a home win was never on the cards, and indeed, a lively Waterford side led 4-2 at the end of the ninety minutes. It was a game that had more spills than thrills. There were not too many errors in the first half, but they came thick and fast towards the end.

The AUL fell behind in the 37^th minute, following a free from the left by Robert Koeghan. Conor Fell headed it on, and Daryl Kavanagh steered it home by the far post.

Waterford, with Ryan and Kavanagh prominent, looked the better side at the start of the second half but Cork got lucky in the 58^th minute when a clearance rebounded off ace midfielder John Kearney and ended up in the net.

The errors started midway through, and Waterford were first to benefit when Ian Ryan pounced and beat O’Donovan to make it 2 –1. Kavanagh then had a chance to extend the lead, but the Cork keeper made a brilliant save from the penalty.

The Waterford side that drew 4-4 away to the Cork AUL. FAI Youths Inter-league championship at Turner's Cross last Wednesday (7.1.04), AUL 4 Waterford 4, Billy Lyons.

The AUL had strong penalty claims turned down before they equalised in the 79^th minute, Long on target with a skidding low drive after Kearney had rolled a free to him.

Waterford though went ahead again in the 81^st minute when sub Gerry Connors lobbed O’Donovan and looked to have made it safe when a rocket on the turn by Ryan made it 4-2.

The AUL kept fighting and, in the first minute of injury time, Long drove home after a terrific through ball by sub Derek O'Sullivan. Three minutes later, Long equalised after an error in the Waterford six-yard box. But his hat trick wasn't enough on the night. 

Waterford were the best team in the group and deserved their place in the knockout stages. They finished with seven points from three games, Tipp had four, Cork three and the MSL one.

AUL full back John Lynch clears. FAI Youths Inter-league championship at Turner's Cross last Wednesday (7.1.04), AUL 4 Waterford 4, Billy Lyons.

Cork's Damien Kelleher under pressure.

Waterford's Kavanagh (10) can't believe it as his 20-yard free dips a fraction too late. FAI Youths Inter-league championship at Turner's Cross last Wednesday (7.1.04), AUL 4 Waterford 4, Billy Lyons.

The Waterford defence under pressure

Waterford's Paul McCarthy runs at David O'Keeffe (7). FAI Youths Inter-league championship at Turner's Cross last Wednesday (7.1.04), AUL 4 Waterford 4, Billy Lyons.

Cork striker Alan O'Mahony, outnumbered, outjumped.

Full-back John Lynch (Kanturk) on the ball for Cork AUL against Waterford. FAI Youths Inter-league championship at Turner’s Cross last Wednesday (7.1.04), AUL 4 Waterford 4, Billy Lyons.

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Cork's Brian O'Sullivan keeps a close eye on Billy Barron as the Waterford player gets to the ball first. 

Cork defender Brian O'Sullivan gets his header away.