Match Report - Kilbarry Rangers 3-2 Abbeyside

We welcomed a tough Abbeyside team to the RSC this week with a depleted squad. Only 12 players on the card + 2 coaching staff in case of emergency also with stand in Conor Houlihan on goal it was gonna take some grit to get through this game.

First a minutes silence was held for Dale Byrne who was a fantastic member of the football community here in Waterford who recently passed away. RIP Dale.

We found it hard to break down a stubborn Abbeyside defence despite dominating possession for long periods. Abbeyside then took the lead with a well taken goal and we went into half time 1-0 down.

Some home truths were told during the break and the lads were challenged to show guts and guts they did show!

Almost immediately after the half time whistle a fantastic run from Jack Walsh down the right wing and a clever pull back saw Jamie Regan make a fantastic late run and he kept his shot low and hard to draw us level at 1-1.

And shortly later we were in the lead. From a corner Conor Hennessy done fantastically well to keep the ball alive and it was Jack Quinn who got his head on the ball and it looped over the keeper for 2-1.

Abbeyside levelled later in the half which was disappointing having done the hard part but it was Jack Quinn once again who came forward and a shot from range looped over the keeper for 3-2.

We managed to see the game out comfortably after this and made it 2 wins from 2.

It was not easy given the circumstances, the lads were first to admit it wasn’t one of our better performances but to win given the circumstances is a fantastic achievement for the lads. They really stepped up when they had to. Well done lads. Again special mention to Conor Houlihan stepping in goal, Houly used to be a keeper so it wasn’t the biggest deal and he played well but we’re sure he’s keen to get back to doing what he does best, putting the ball in the net! Onto Villa next week!