Author: crusadersafc

With several tough pre-season training sessions under the belt, our 4th division team travelled to Dungarvan on Sunday morning to take on Abbeyside in the season opener. Manager Johno Moran had been busy in the close season, bringing some new faces into the squad, though a change of fixture and date in recent days didn’t help player availability on this ocasion.

The fantastic backdrop of well equipped Dogleaf Park provided the setting, the sun was out and conditions were slightly soft but conducive to 4th division football. The team picked itself, with Crusaders bringing the bare 11 players to the game.

David Power started on goal, wearing his trusted Pioneer badge, with Trevor Power and debutant Peter O’Byrne on fullback duty, and Andrew “Sir Bobby” Titley behind Paul O’Neill forming the back four. Austin “Healy” Hanrahan and Captain Barney Barnaville were flanked by Patrick “Hyrox Harry” Egan and John “Night Feeds” Rockett with Aurel “Jimmy” Llushkaj and Norman “Deano” Dean providing the attacking options up top.

Despite a strong start up the hill, Crusaders fell behind to two quick goals in the 11th and 12th minutes. Indeed, it seemed that a lack lustre warm up might cost the team early on as muscles not worked since October were heard creaking. However, a worldy from Egan two minutes before the break got the boys back on track and undoubtedly forced the home team to rethink their second half approach.

The second half saw the Whitfield men start strong, playing down the hill. The play was evenly distributed across both wings, with strong performances from O’Byrne, Egan and Aurel in particular. The ever-willing Norman ran himself into the ground, not allowing Abbeyside to transition as they wanted, and O’Neill and Titley were quickly developing a partnership which will undoubtedly prove invaluable as the season progresses.

A last minute converted penalty left the final score at 3-1 to Abbeyside, a deserved win but perhaps the scoreline flattered to deceive as it arguably didn’t reflect the workrate and the chances created by Crusaders.

With no game scheduled (currently) for next weekend, Johno will be able to work on a few minor details in training to knit together the performances today’s effort deserved. The difference a couple of substitutes would have made in Abbeyside is immeasurable, as fresh legs on the home side were possibly the difference in the end.

The next draw takes place on 11th March. Top prize is €5,200. Be in it to win it!

All funds raised by the club are invested into the development of Whitfield Park. This past month, we’ve seen thearrival of new nets, building supplies and new fixtures for our toilets. None of this would have been possible without our Lotto funds, so thank you very much for playing.

Remember, if you play online – https://bit.ly/waterfordsportslotto – be sure to select “Crusaders AFC” from the menu.

Our 4th division team will kick off their season this coming Sunday morning in Abbeyside in a change to the previously scheduled game. Details below.

Our 2B squad got their inaugural season underway on Saturday last with a home game versus St. Saviours. Due to the recent inclement weather, the game was moved to The RSC to safeguard the surface at Whitfield Park for the weeks ahead, and the Kilbarry venue was treated to a feast of football with both teams giving 110% in their first games of the new season.

Manager Kevin Murphy had a near full-strength panel to work with, and the new 2025 season kit also got its first outing. The gaffer kept the opposition guessing by strategically delaying the naming his starting XI until just before kick off (with rumours of an inability to work the FAI app wide of the mark)!

As one pitchside know-it-all remarked afterwards, this was a classic game of three halves. In front of a large crowd, the Crusaders settled into their rhythm straight from the kick off, with Odhran O’Donnell, David Cheasty and Sean Halpin pulling the strings in midfield, the ever-willing Zak O’Connor making the hard yards up front, and Jordan Wall and Captain Cian O’Neill snuffing out any hint of danger at the back. With several chances coming their way, it was only a matter of time before the Whitfield men got on the scoresheet, and this duly happened after 21 minutes when a well worked move from back-to-front was expertly dispatched by Ben Brophy, served up to him on a plate by Zak.

On 35 minutes, the game shifted from a free-flowing feast of football to a battle royale, with 2 yellow cards flashed, one for each side. The visitors were coming back into the game at this stage, as the ball moved from the surface to the sky. Halftime came and went, but St. Saviours continued the 2nd half where they’d finished the 1st and got their equaliser on 48 minutes.

Crusaders rallied after this, regaining control of the ball and dictating the pace. Up to this point, fullbacks Jim Brennan and Devin Enright had been the busiest players on the field, repelling each wave of attack successfully. David Cheasty was giving his opposition number a lesson in how to play the game, and Eoin Daly was running wild on the right wing. Paddy O’Neill on goal was also having a great game, but this came to a premature end on 59 minutes when both he and the opposition striker had a coming-together in the box; a red card each duly followed forcing the manager to rely on his pre-match planning as he reshuffled, bringing Joe Barry and Donagh O’Connor into the game.

The noise levels faded in the away dugout as they tired on and off the pitch, with the Crusaders’ legs benefitting from rainy evenings spent sprinting up Train Hill. Luke McCarthy and Jordan Daniels came into the game in tactical changes as Murphy shored up the defence and watched his charges reclaim control of the game for the last 15 minutes. Chances for Zak, Sean and Odhran went close but ultimately at 1-1, the draw was a fair result.

Next up for the 2B team is another home game, 15th March @ 2pm versus De La Salle.

Our upcoming 2B fixture on 1st March has been moved from Whitfield Park to the Regional Sports Centre. See below.

The 2025 season is edging closer by the day…our first fixtures are out. The 2B squad will face two tough opponents in St. Saviours and De La Salle on the 1st and 15th March at home, while our 4th division squad will travel to near neighbours for their perennial clash with Ballyduff. Mark your diary!

As we continue to get ready for the new season, our Sunday Club regulars are busy with landscaping, pipework, painting and general maintenance work.

If you’d like to spend a few hours helping out in the fresh air, we start at 10am each Sunday until the end of February.

Please support our fundraising efforts at Crusaders AFC by participating in the Waterford Sports Lotto initiative. There’s a generous prize on offer each fortnight, and the participant clubs – including Crusaders – benefit with every ticket purchased. Funds from this Lotto enable the works at Whitfield Park, such as grounds maintenance and the purchase of equipment.

With the new season nearly upon us, it’s important that all players get their details into their managers ASAP (check your team WhatsApp groups). The leagues start on 1st March, so registrations must be complete well in advance.