Waterford FC 2
Kerry FC 1
A Calum Costello cracker proved the difference as Waterford FC won the Munster Senior Cup for the first time since 2013.
With 79 minutes on the clock, the youngster unleashed a vicious dipping shot towards goal from 30 yards, catching goalkeeper Aaron O’Sullivan unawares and sending the travelling Blues support into raptures at Turners Cross.
The Blues had the brighter of the opening exchanges as they were bidding for a 16th Munster Senior Cup, while the opposition, Kerry FC, were seeking a first major honour.
Gbemi Arubi went close with a fantastic acrobatic effort from a corner six minutes into the match, that strike grazing the top off the crossbar – before Connor Evans couldn’t get a clean touch on a superb delivery from Joseph Forde with the goal gaping.
Ryan Burke then went close with a free kick, before the deadlock was broken on the cusp of half time.
A long ball from Burke wasn’t dealt with by Ethan Kos, and Evans smelt blood, chasing down the Kerry defender and dispossessing him before bearing down on goal, calmly sliding the ball past the onrushing O’Sullivan to give the Blues the lead on 40 minutes.
It was 1-0 at the break and Waterford were value for that advantage, midfielder Basit Ishola particularly impressing.
Waterford were almost two to the good right on the resumption, but O’Sullivan stood tall when Kacper Skwierczynski looked destined to add a second.
That proved costly as Kerry began to knock at the door, Kennedy Amechi being denied by Matt Connor, but they didn’t have to wait long to blow the door open.
A superb delivery from Nathan Gleeson on the right flank evaded the Blues defence but not the opportunistic Ryan Kelliher, who was on hand to slide home the equaliser on 51 minutes.
A great ball from Costello threaded through substitute Anthony Adenopo, but he was denied by O’Sullivan as he tried to round the Kerry goalkeeper – still, Waterford responded well to the setback of conceding.
With the game looking set for extra time despite the Blues dominance, a moment of magic delivered the Munster Senior Cup back to Suirside – when on 79 minutes, Costello unleashed a stunning drive worthy of winning any game.
The winner it proved, as Waterford collected a sixteenth crown.
Waterford FC: Matthew Connor; Joseph Forde, Adam Queally, Ronan Mansfield, Ryan Burke; Mikey Carroll, Basit Ishola, Calum Costello (Dylan Warren ‘88); Kacper Skwierczynski (Calum Flynn ‘84), Connor Evans (Zak O’Sullivan ‘77), Gbemi Arubi (Anthony Adenopo ‘HT)
Kerry FC: Aaron O’Sullivan; Kevin Williams, Andrew Spain, Ethan Kos, Sean O’Connell, Daire McCarthy; Sean McGrath (Samuel Aladesanusi ‘79), Ronan Teahan (Cian Brosnan ‘83), Okwuy Okwute (Kennedy Amechi ‘HT), Nathan Gleeson; Ryan Kelliher
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea
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