Crusaders AFC

09/10/2026

On Sunday morning, Seaview Celtic, currently riding high in the Waterford & District League 1B will host our own Division 2B Champions-elect in the 2nd round of this season's MIG.ie Munster Junior Shield.

This promises to be a classic, with both sides recently in top form.

Kick off at 11am; all support welcome! 🔵🔴⚔️

28/09/2026

26/9/26: Remember the date, the day that bridged a 29-year gap for Crusaders AFC with Eoin Hayes' 2B team securing the Azzurri Division 2B title.

Long seen as one of the most competitive divisions in Waterford, Hayes insisted last January that the league title was the only priority for 2026. Twelve games, thousands of miles and a current winning streak stretching back to early May, Crusaders can now be crowned the undisputed winners of the 2B division.

Up against Kilbarry Rangers on their own patch at the immaculate RSC, the Keith Fitzgerald-manicured surface was conducive to good football and it didn't take long for the goals to come, Zak O'Connor kicking things off with his first after 2 minutes. More were to follow from Ray Balogun and Evan Kiely (2) before Zak completed his hat trick on the stroke of half time.

This reporter found it challenging to select the best players on the day, as there wasn't a single performance that wasn't near perfect across the squad. These men came to Kilbarry with only one aim: 3 points. This was never in doubt after less than 15 minutes as Kilbarry, recent 2nd Division Cup Winners, were chasing shadows from the kick off.

The full time whistle brought a loudest cheer of the day, and what followed with celebrations, ch*****ne and Frankie Valli will be etched in Crusaders history for many years to come. Not a single player on the 2B panel was alive the last time Crusaders AFC brought silverware home to Whitfield Park. Tramore's own Jim Heylin, a direct link with the team from 1997, shed a tear as he departed the RSC stating "Are ye all going back to Shefflins?"

A 29-year gap has been bridged, the clock has been reset! Crusaders AFC are back in the winner's enclosure, this time to stay!

28/09/2026

Azzurri Division 4B Update

Red Star 1 - 1 Crusaders AFC

In blustery conditions on Sunday last, our 4B men continued their quest for silverware this season with a potential six-pointer against Red Star in Williamstown Sports Complex. Shy of a few regulars, manager Mark Kennedy cobbled together a solid team, with Niall Kelly between the sticks, Shane Hunt returning from suspension to accompany Austin in the middle, and Gary Kent rolling back to clock to 1999 with an appearance up front.

The Crusaders men got off to the best possible start, terrorising the Red Star defence with Kent's pace, Kennedy's presence and Patrick Egan's calm head. Duckie, on loan from Leanne for 2 hours, played Stromboli at the back, pulling the strings and controlling the play, alongside PK, Jason and Paul "Steve Austin" O'Neill at the back. Jay Mullowney was a revelation on the wing, and Brian "Hothead" Scott and Juber "Garmin" Nunes were critical to the final result with their fresh legs coming to the team's aid when needed.

Egan got the team in front early on, at a time when the months of rondos and tippy-tappy football at training three-nights-a-week was showing benefits, as Crusaders sought to capitalise on an evident lack of pace in the home side's defence. However, Red Star's resilience got them back into the game shortly after halftime, and only for the liquid reflexes of Niall on goal, it would have been a different end result. Claiming his MOTM ch*****ne afterwards in front of his Kilkenny contingent, Niall said "I was born for days like today".

Honours even in the end, another point for Crusaders.

26/09/2026

25/09/2026

Huge Weekend Ahead...

On Sunday afternoon, the 4B panel take on Red Star in Williamstown in a massive six pointer. The pressure on both sides Sunday afternoon will be intense, so get there early in what is certain to be a sell-out game.

Our 2B squad are also in action this weekend, taking on the newly crowned 2nd division cup winners Kilbarry Rangers at the Regional Sports Centre in what could be a history-making game for Crusaders... 👀

🔵🔴⚔️

25/09/2026

...and then there were 3 (or 4, although Nicky & Anne will have to share the prize if they win)!

22/09/2026

Big day in the McDonald house. 😎

Happy birthday Duckie!

18/09/2026

Happy birthday