April is a busy month for our 2B panel in the Azzurri 2B league, where squad depth will be tested to the extreme.
After our upcoming FAI Junior Cup fixture away to Southend this Sunday morning, and a potential follow-on cup fixture the weekend of 11th April, we return to league action when we host St. Saviours in the league on 18th followed by a trip to Abbeyside on Wednesday 22nd before welcoming Dungarvan Utd. to Whitfield Park on Saturday 25th.
The Azzurri 4B fixtures for April are out, and have thrown up some exciting ties. Last season’s winners, and our quarter final opponents Villa play host on 11th April, and our near neighbours Ballyduff travel to Whitfield Park for a visit on 29th April. Both evening kick-offs (please note times).
An emphatic start to the new season yesterday from our 2B team with a strong win against our visitors from Stradbally. Ahead after 2 minutes, the outcome was assured by half time with several well-worked goals including a hat trick from Mr. O’Connor in what was a fine team performance across every position on the field. Newcomers Evan and Ray stood out, as did Ben Kavanagh and Tommy & Odhran in the middle.
Our opening league fixtures for the 2026 season have been pushed back from their original dates by 2 weeks in a bid to allow pitches the chance to dry a little…
Our 2025/26 Munster Junior Shield run came to an end at the quarter-final stages yesterday when we came up against a powerful Shannon Town unit in Co. Clare. In front of a large local crowd, our opponents showed their class with a well-drilled display, playing a very clever game to maximise their home advantage and the difficult conditions underfoot. We wish them the very best for the remainder of the competition and their season.
As the last remaining Waterford side in the competition, we can be immensely proud of our squad. During the run, they deservedly dispatched higher division local opposition (Carrick United and Tramore AFC), experienced the high of winning a tense penalty shoot-out at the amazing grounds in Ballingarry, put on a show for Waterford at Ozier Park in an impressive win over Bandon AFC and proudly represented the W&DJL against opposition from Clare, Cork and Limerick.
A special thanks to the amazing support which made the long journey up the N24 yesterday to cheer on the boys; your encouragement was hugely appreciated, and it was great to see the red and blue scarves and colours on the sidelines.
This young squad, packed with ability and determination, will learn from yesterday’s experience and become a stronger unit as a result. 
Crusaders AFC 