Sean Heaney joins Waterford on loan from Shamrock Rovers

Sean Heaney has made the move on loan to Waterford from Shamrock Rovers for the remainder of the SSE Airtricity League First Division season.

“I’m looking forward to it, and to start playing a few games. Obviously that’s why I’m here,” said Heaney to the club's official website.

“Hopefully (I can) help the club get promoted and I can pick up a league winner's medal out of it.”

21-year-old Heaney, who came through the system at St. Kevin’s Boys and has played at under-19 international level for Ireland, made his debut for Rovers back in 2013.

He made three cup appearances that year helping the team win the Leinster Senior Cup under manager Trevor Croly. The following year he played mostly in the First Division which contained a Hoops B team at the time.

He made 16 appearances in the lower tier along with four in the Premier Division. He scored in the top flight against Bray that season – the youngest scorer in the league for Rovers since 1989. Trevor Clarke, Aaron Dobbs and Aaron Bolger have all subsequently earned that honour.

This is the second time he has gone on loan from Rovers as he played with Shelbourne in 2015 when he racked up 25 appearances, scored twice in wins over UCD and Athlone Town, as the Reds finished fourth in the First Division.

“At Shelbourne in my previous loan spell we didn’t reach our expectations when our goal was to go get promoted that year.

“That didn’t work out for us but for myself, I showed I was more than capable of playing at this level.

“Hopefully I can push on now and prove to people that I can help get the club promoted and hopefully play in the Premier Division regularly next year.”

He made 15 league appearances, scoring twice, with Rovers last year when the Blues' current director of football Pat Fenlon was manager in Tallaght for much of the season.

He played in both legs of Rovers’ Europa League qualifier against Finnish side RoPS Rovaniemi.

“I had a great experience with Pat (Fenlon) last year, when I broke into the Rovers team,” said Heaney.

“He was the one that put me into the side and I’ll always be grateful for that. It’s got me here now and hopefully I can repay that faith and prove to him that I can help Waterford get out of this division.”

His game time this year has been limited in the league as Stephen Bradley brought in other defensive players into the club like Dan Devine and Roberto Lopes, along with the return from long-term injury of left back Luke Byrne.

Heaney has just three appearances in the Premier Division this season and was sent off in his only start, picking up two first half yellow cards away to St. Pat’s back in March.

“Waterford FC fans can expect to see 100% commitment on the pitch. I’m a big centre half who will attack the ball, win headers, win tackles and hopefully chip in with a few goals up the other end.”

Heaney’s arrival in Waterford comes at the same time as the club confirmed defender David Mulcahy’s contract was terminated by mutual consent due to Mulchay’s work commitments.

Heaney will come straight into the squad for Friday’s game against local rivals Wexford at the RSC.