In a rare forward looking move, the eircom League has this
season set up an Under 21 League to replace the patchy Reserve
Division of the previous few seasons.
Divided up geographically in to three 8 team sections, the league
has admitted several non-league teams to make up the numbers, and
to fill in for three eL teams that for some reason or another
seem to think this is not a good idea, those being Kilkenny City,
Cobh Ramblers, and, surprisingly, Cork City. Derry City, after
playing one match, have for the moment withdrawn from the
competition following their much publicised financial problems.
The Western Section comprises Derry City, Fanad United (Donegal),
Finn Harps, Galway United, Limerick F.C., Mervue (Galway),
National University of Ireland Galway (formerly U.C.G.), and
Sligo Rovers. The North Leinster and District Section consists of
Athlone Town, Bohemians, Drogheda United, Dundalk, Home Farm
Fingal, Longford Town, Monaghan United and Shelbourne.
Waterford United find themselves in the South Leinster and
District Section, along with Bray Wanderers, Dublin University,
Evergreen (Cork), St. Francis, St. Patrick's Athletic, Shamrock
Rovers and University College Dublin.
Each team is allowed to field 3 over age players, so that these
games can also be used to rehabilitate players returning from
injuries or long suspensions
Although news of this league is going to be far harder to come by
than Division One news, I will endeavour to keep you as
up-to-date as possible with the young lads over the course of the
season.
| TEAM | pld. | W-D-L | F | A | GD | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shamrock Rovers | 10 | 6-3-1 | 22 | 10 | +12 | 21 |
| St. Patrick's Athletic | 8 | 5-1-2 | 25 | 8 | +17 | 16 |
| Evergreen | 11 | 4-4-3 | 12 | 12 | + | 16 |
| WATERFORD UNITED | 9 | 3-3-3 | 12 | 15 | -3 | 12 |
| Bray Wanderers | 9 | 4-0-5 | 13 | 18 | -5 | 12 |
| U.C.D. | 9 | 3-1-6 | 12 | 14 | -2 | 10 |
| Dublin University | 9 | 2-3-4 | 9 | 15 | -6 | 9 |
| St. Francis | 8 | 1-3-4 | 6 | 19 | -13 | 6 |
Sunday, 17/09/00: Shamrock Rovers 3 - 1 Waterford
United (Brian Mallon)
Sunday, 24/09/00: Waterford United 1 - 4 St. Patrick's
Athletic (Joe Watson)
An early goal from Joe Watson, after Jason Bowman's shot was only
parried, seemed to be sending Waterford on their way at Ozier
Park, but the Saints came roaring back to run out comfortable 4-1
winners. The Blues can take some comfort from the fact that they
were basically facing a Premier Division side, though, as the
visitors, who must surely have the biggest squad in the eircom
League, had a string of first-teamers on display, including
Trevor Wood, Shane Harte, Robbie McGuinness, Jamie Harris, Alan
McNevin, Michael Holt (1 goal), Padraig Drew (2), and Marcus
Hallows (1).
Team: Gavin Morris; John Paul Foley, Paul Leahy, Kevin
Whittle, Paul Cashin; Jason Bowman, Brian Mallon, Shay Dunphy,
Joe Watson; John Hudson, Anthony Power - subs: Damien
Driver, Liam McCormack, Brian Byrne, Anthony Fennelly.
Sunday, 01/10/00: Dublin University 0 - 0 Waterford
United
Saturday, 07/10/00: Waterford United 2 - 1 Evergreen (Joe
Watson 2)
Wednesday, 11/10/00: Waterford United 2 - 2 St. Francis
(Joe Watson 2)
Sunday, 15/10/00: Bray Wanderers P - P Waterford United
Saturday, 21/10/00: Waterford United 0 - 3 U.C.D.
Saturday, 28/10/00: Waterford United 2 - 2 Shamrock
Rovers (A Flynn, Deans (o.g.))
Sunday, 05/11/00: St. Patrick's Athletic P - P Waterford
United
Saturday, 11/11/00: Waterford United P - P Dublin
University
Sunday, 19/11/00: Evergreen 0 - 3 Waterford United (Joe
Watson 2, Barry Wood)
Saturday, 25/11/00: U.C.D. 0 - 1 Waterford United (Jason
Bowman (pen))