Author: crusadersafc

Azzurri Division 4 League

Crusaders AFC 1 – 3 Tramore AFC

Those who persevered through the end-of-day traffic jam in Butlerstown were privileged to see an exciting game in Whitfield Park on Wednesday evening as Crusaders entertained Tramore in the 11th round of the Azzurri Division 4 league.

From the kick off, playing into the setting sun, and despite missing a number of regulars, Crusaders seemed intent on making a mockery of both sides’ league positions, with chances falling to Paul Dower, Mark Kennedy, John Rockett and Shane Hunt. However, Tramore’s keeper was up to the challenge on the night, producing a string of saves to keep the Seagulls in the game. At the other end, Paul Lawrence was rock solid on the goal, ably assisted by a makeshift central defence pairing of Austin Hanrahan and Peter O’Byrne.

The second half saw Tramore strike first, a well-worked move down the left resulted in former Crusaders David Kent nodding home from close range. After further chances at the other end from Patrick Egan and Brian Scott, Tramore extended their lead after a goal mouth scramble resulting from a corner.

On 46 minutes, Shane Hunt finished with style, latching onto a deft through ball from Gary Grant to lob the Tramore keeper from 20 yards, reducing the deficit and sparking hope of a revival. Yet more chances went unclaimed, with Duckie, Frank, Patrick, Mark, Brian and Barney all attempting to force an equaliser.

With almost the last kick of the game, Tramore scored a third, resulting from a quick break down the right wing.

A throughly entertaining watch full of chances and played in the best spirit of the game. Crusaders showed their creative side on the night, engineering more chances than perhaps at any other time this season, but found that Lady Luck had deserted them in front of the goal on this occasion.

Star Player: Shane Hunt

Below are our remaining September fixtures, leading up to a massive Super Saturday on 4th October, when both the 4th division team and the 2B team are in action, the latter as we enter this season’s Munster Junior Shield!

There was no jackpot winner this week, but we did have one “match 3” winner, Ms. Julie Brophy. Congrats Julie.

Next time out, on 23rd September, the jackpot will be a whopping €1,500. Get your tickets from any committee member, or play online (link in CLUB SHOP above).

Azzurri Division 4 League

De La Salle 1 – 0 Crusaders AFC

With the boys in green huffing and puffing their way around Yerevan yesterday evening, the real cultured fans made their way to Williamstown to see some real football. And whilst the early kick off presented a few traffic problems, the squad were present and ready to meet their hosts head-on for 6:30pm. A few even had time to stretch!

The team had a slightly different feel to it, with full backs David Power and John Rockett raiding the wings and covering the flawless Kent and O’Byrne in the middle, with Deep Purple Lawro on goal. Barney and Austin assumed their usual positions in the middle, flanked by the evergreen Duckie and and Duracell Hunty, with target man Dower and physio’s dream Egan up top.

The first half was well balanced, with Crusaders nullifying much of what the home side could manufacture, whilst mainly restricted to shots from distance themselves courtesy of Dower, Hunty and Egan.

As the light started to fade over Williamstown, a few more COYBIG fans managed to make their way to the game to catch the second half. Special mention here to Paul O’Neill, fresh from knee surgery, who ditched the crutches and made his way to the halfway line to support the team. With Dower unfortunately troubled by his Cadbury Flake-like calves once again, and a number of other age-related niggles impacting fitness, Mark, Brian, Ersoy and Norman added “fresh” legs. However, with 15 minutes to go, having looked comfortable up to this point (several saves from Lawro, last ditch O’Byrne tackles and a gymnast-like goal line clearance from Gary Kent aside), disaster struck as De La Salle took the lead with a well worked goal that simply couldn’t have been prevented.

The boys threw everything at the home side for the final quarter hour, but couldn’t claw back the goal. Best effort came from the Rockett, who tested their keeper from 35 yards.

Azzurri Division 2B League

Crusaders AFC 5 – 1 Dungarvan Celtic

Late last March, our 2B squad suffered a knock when they visited Dungarvan Celtic and came away with a 3-1 defeat. At the time, it was a game tinged with regret – some sloppy play led to goals for Celtic, and we were too shy in front of goal ourselves. For the return fixture, the lads were driven to ensure there would be no regrets.

In the run up to the game, training in Whitfield Park focused on playing to our strengths, whilst also neutralising the threat from Dungarvan’s well oiled gameplan. And the hard work paid off in spades.

Straight from the the kick off, the message was clear: This game would be played the way we wanted to play it! At the back, Captain Cian and Jordan were in complete control, mopping up everything that was thrown at them. Sean and Kav at full back were exceptional in both defence and attack, and Paddy was rock solid between the posts. The intricacy of play in middle between Tommy and Odhran created chance after chance for the front three, who duly obliged with five between them (Zak and Cam with 2 a piece, Ben with the other).

Special mention to David Cheasty for his disruptive influence in midfield, and who, on another day if he hadn’t been wearing his GAA boots, might have seen his name on the scoresheet.

Thanks to everyone who came out to watch. Your support on the line is always appreciated.

The W&DJL have released fixtures for the next 4 weeks, and it’s going to be a busy period at Whitfield Park with home games on the 6th, 17th and 27th of September. Our travels will take us to Williamstown, Dungarvan and Abbeyside. Finally, on 4th OCtober, we’ll make our bow in this season’s Munster Junior Shield away to the winners of an earlier fixture between Bohs and Carrick.

Your support is always appreciated!

Our 2B squad are next up, with a home fixture this coming Saturday against cup finalists Dungarvan Celtic. Kick off @ 2pm.

Wednesday evening sees the visit of Red Star for a mid-week 4th division clash.

No winner of the jackpot this time around (26th August), which means the next draw will be for €1,400. Tickets are now available from committee members or at the link on the Club Shop page.