Season Preview: Waterford United
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Waterford United head into the new season as one of the favourites to win promotion from the First Division. The Blues will be eager to build on last season’s title challenge which saw them fall away in the last few games.
The first major piece of business by the Suirsiders in the off-season was the securing of manager Stephen Henderson on a one-year contract extension. The talented Dubliner has seen his stock rise steadily since leading the Blues on two cup runs and a promotion chase in his first season at the club.
The Blues boss has looked to strengthen his squad and managed something of a coup when he recruited former Cork City midfielder Liam Kearney from Derry City. The tricky winger is likely to start on the left with fellow new boy Gareth Cambridge filling the right wing berth.
Both players are very highly-rated and will be key if Waterford are to win the league, Henderson likes his wide players to take responsibility in the final third and provide the ammunition for the front men.
There have also been big losses however. Centre-back Kenny Browne, a regular contender for Blues Player of the Year, left for newly-promoted Sporting Fingal. And Graham Cummins, who was the club’s top-scorer last term, has also moved on.
Expectations are high at the RSC heading into the new season. Having watched their team come so close last year, Blues fans will be hoping to seriously contend for first place and there is a growing feeling that this could be their year. Midfield maestro Paul McCarthy has returned from the injury which saw him miss most of the latter half of the season. The Blues badly missed McCarthy in the run-in and many believe his injury cost the team promotion.
They will also be looking to centre-half Kevin Murray to produce another excellent year having been a revelation in his debut season at the club. Murray will have to step up and fill the void left by Browne, his relationship with new goalkeeper Chris Konopka will be crucial. They will need to develop a good understanding quickly and try to avoid the teething problems these new partnerships can often cause.
With the possibility of one or two more players to arrive before the season begins the Blues’ squad looks like it will have the depth and extra quality that it so crucially lacked at this time last year. With the First Division shaping up to be a hugely competitive league, Waterford look sure to have a big say on where the title will end up in November.
Team: Waterford United
Manager: Stephen Henderson
Players In: Chris Konopka (Sporting Fingal), Gareth Cambridge (Cork City), Liam Kearney (Derry City), Timmy Purcell (UCD), James O’Sullivan (Clonmel Town), John Hayes (Free Agent)
Players Out: Kenny Browne (Sporting Fingal), Graham Cummins (Cork City FORAS Co-op), Michael Devine, Joe Mulcahy, Declan Woodgate, Dave Warren, Kieran Fitzgerald, Stephen Grant (all released)
One To Watch: Liam Kearney
Prediction: 2nd
The first major piece of business by the Suirsiders in the off-season was the securing of manager Stephen Henderson on a one-year contract extension. The talented Dubliner has seen his stock rise steadily since leading the Blues on two cup runs and a promotion chase in his first season at the club.
The Blues boss has looked to strengthen his squad and managed something of a coup when he recruited former Cork City midfielder Liam Kearney from Derry City. The tricky winger is likely to start on the left with fellow new boy Gareth Cambridge filling the right wing berth.
Both players are very highly-rated and will be key if Waterford are to win the league, Henderson likes his wide players to take responsibility in the final third and provide the ammunition for the front men.
There have also been big losses however. Centre-back Kenny Browne, a regular contender for Blues Player of the Year, left for newly-promoted Sporting Fingal. And Graham Cummins, who was the club’s top-scorer last term, has also moved on.
Expectations are high at the RSC heading into the new season. Having watched their team come so close last year, Blues fans will be hoping to seriously contend for first place and there is a growing feeling that this could be their year. Midfield maestro Paul McCarthy has returned from the injury which saw him miss most of the latter half of the season. The Blues badly missed McCarthy in the run-in and many believe his injury cost the team promotion.
They will also be looking to centre-half Kevin Murray to produce another excellent year having been a revelation in his debut season at the club. Murray will have to step up and fill the void left by Browne, his relationship with new goalkeeper Chris Konopka will be crucial. They will need to develop a good understanding quickly and try to avoid the teething problems these new partnerships can often cause.
With the possibility of one or two more players to arrive before the season begins the Blues’ squad looks like it will have the depth and extra quality that it so crucially lacked at this time last year. With the First Division shaping up to be a hugely competitive league, Waterford look sure to have a big say on where the title will end up in November.
Team: Waterford United
Manager: Stephen Henderson
Players In: Chris Konopka (Sporting Fingal), Gareth Cambridge (Cork City), Liam Kearney (Derry City), Timmy Purcell (UCD), James O’Sullivan (Clonmel Town), John Hayes (Free Agent)
Players Out: Kenny Browne (Sporting Fingal), Graham Cummins (Cork City FORAS Co-op), Michael Devine, Joe Mulcahy, Declan Woodgate, Dave Warren, Kieran Fitzgerald, Stephen Grant (all released)
One To Watch: Liam Kearney
Prediction: 2nd
About Dean Hayes
Dean covers Waterford United and, due to a challenge from Gareth, writes in an increasingly Gonzo style. Having found himself with a considerable surplus of a culinary herb, Dean founded sister 'site extrathyme.ie some years … View Full Profile