Sporting Fingal tasted defeat for the first time in their pre-season programme on Saturday when Waterford United scored two late goals to win 3-1 at Cahir Park AFC. Liam Buckley's side open their Airtricity League campaign this Friday by facing champions Bohemians at Dalymount Park.
Cahir Park AFC of Tipperary hosted the Centenary Challenge match between Waterford United and Sporting Fingal on Saturday, another event in the calendar to mark 100 years junior football in Cahir.
Both teams were led onto the pitch by Conor Cotter of the current Park Under -11 squad and Megan Ward, from the Girls Under-13 squad – descendants of those who previously wore the Park jersey with pride.
Waterford led 1-0 at the break thanks to a goal on 25 minutes, but persistent pressure by Fingal early in the second half yielded a leveller through Gary O'Neill's penalty spot after Glen Crowe was tripped by Alan Carey.
Man of the match Carey regained the lead for the Blues on 78 minutes with a well-worked strike following a neat interchange and they added another late on to seal victory.
Special thanks from Sporting Fingal to Cahir Park AFC for staging the game at their wonderful facility and best wishes for the rest of their centenary celebrations.
Waterford United: Chris Konopka, Josh Byrne, Alan Carey, Kevin Murray, John Kearney, Kevin Waters, Paul McCarthy, Gary Dunphy, Liam Kearney, Vinny Sullivan, Dave Grincell, William Kiely, Paul Carey, Gary Keane, Declan Woodgate, Seamus Long, Gareth Cambridge.
Sporting Fingal: Brendan Clarke; Shaun Maher, Keith Quinn, Stephen Paisley, Lorcan Fitzgerald; Shane McFaul, Shaun Williams, Ronan Finn; Conan Byrne, Gary O’Neill, Glen Crowe.
Subs: Shane Barrett, Alan Kirby, Darren Quigley, Brian Gannon, Ger O’Brien, Kenny Browne.
Ref: J. McKell.
Sporting Fingal's opening six games of the Airtricity League Premier Division are as follows:
Friday, 5 March: Bohemians v Sporting Fingal, Dalymount Park (7.35pm)
Friday, 12 March: Sporting Fingal v Sligo Rovers, Morton Stadium (7.45pm)
Friday, 19 March: Bray Wanderers v Sporting Fingal, Carlisle Grounds (7.45pm)
Friday, 26 March: Sporting Fingal v Drogheda United, Morton Stadium (7.45pm)
Friday, 2 April: St. Patrick’s Athletic v Sporting Fingal, Richmond Park (7.45pm)
Monday 5 April: Sporting Fingal v Shamrock Rovers, Morton Stadium (Ko To be confirmed).