Waterford United’s third pre-season match ended in defeat to Tramore AFC at Graun Park tonight, though the Blues will be less interested in the result, and more in the superb match they were given by the in-form Seasiders, with the league opener fast approaching.

United were forced into an early, and as it turned out hugely significant, alteration before a ball was kicked, when Josh Byrne was asked to deputise in goal for Tramore, who had lost their ‘keeper to injury at the weekend. An outstanding performance from Byrne, behind a staunch home defence, kept United at bay for the entire first half. Superb saves from Paul McCarthy, Willie John Kiely, McCarthy again, and an astonishing one-hander from Gary Dunphy, kept the home goal intact. At the other end, Chris Konopka was quickly out to smother Christopher Grace’s close-range effort early on, but he was powerless to prevent Grace slamming home a header at the far post from Leigh Quilty’s right-wing cross on the stroke of half time.

The second half (which saw the home team come out in their yellow kit for reasons unknown) began with the Blues quickly on the attack again. McCarthy’s strong drive was deflected just over, and from Kevin Waters’ resulting corner kick, Seamus Long crashed a header off the near post with Byrne rooted. Unfortunately for the Blues, shortly afterwards, on 52 minutes, a slight lapse in midfield concentration saw them slip further behind, as Colin Walsh got free down the left and centred low for Micheal Downey to stab home on the run from eight yards out.

The Blues finally got their rally underway when Vinny Sullivan pulled one back on 77 minutes, taking David Grincell’s chipped pass expertly, and turning to lash his volley past Byrne from 12 yards out. United kept up the pressure, but the Tramore defence proved impossible to break down again, and Byrne produced one more save of real quality when he somehow turned Water’s 20-yard drive around his right post.

So it remained 2-1 to the Seasiders, but for the Blues, in truth, it was more about the test they were given by a superb Tramore side, by far the sternest of the pre-season to date. For the fans too, it was nice to see so many former Blues on the opposing side, including David Breen who was guesting for the Seasiders on the night.

Tramore AFC: Josh Byrne, Ross Douglas (Colin Walsh h/t), Craig Maher (Evan Connolly 72), Stephen Grant, Michael Grant (David Breen 43), Martin Whelan (John Butler h/t), Francis Rockett, Robbie Phelan, Chris Grace (Micheal Downey h/t), Leigh Quilty (Sean Browne h/t), Joe Watson (Michael Kavanagh h/t)

Waterford United: Chris Konopka; Paul Carey (Alan Carey h/t), Kevin Murray, Seamus Long, Kevin Waters; Timmy Purcell (John Kearney h/t), Gary Dunphy (Gary Keane 62), Paul McCarthy, Liam Kearney; Willie John Kiely (David Grincell h/t), Vinny Sullivan – subs not used: John Hayes, Gareth Cambridge