2011 Preview: Waterford United
Credit:
Waterford United
Year founded: 1930
Major honours: Premier Division Champions: 1965/66, 1967/68, 1968/69, 1969/70, 1971/72, 1972/73. FAI Cup : 1937, 1980. League Cup: 1974, 1985. First Division: 1989/90, 1997/98, 2002/03.
Stadium: RSC
Manager: Stephen Henderson
Captain: Kevin Murray
Transfers in: Conor Sinnott (Drogheda United), Kenny Browne (Sporting Fingal), Keith Quinn (Sporting Fingal), Dwayne Wilson (UCD), Michael Rafter (Colchester United), Lee Chin (Wexford Bohs), Shane Dempsey (North End United).
Transfers out: Liam Kearney (Dandenong Thunder - Australia) , Alan Carey (Cork City), Timmy Purcell (Released), Vinny Sullivan (Cork City), James O'Sullivan (Released), Chris Konopka (Released), Paul MCCarthy (Tramore AFC), John Kearney (Australia), John Hayes (Released), Kevin Waters (Released).
Last season ultimately ended in failure for Waterford United as they failed to gain promotion to the Premier Division. Finishing just three points behind Derry City in the table, they were defeated by Monaghan United in the First Division play-off. A season that promised so much in way of performance, goals and pretty solid performances came down to the team’s inability to break down and beat a solid Monaghan United side on four occasions.
A big squad turnover has seen a relatively new side coming into the new season and with little time to gel together. The loss of John and Liam Kearney is huge to the club but holding onto top scorer Willie John Kiely was an important piece of business. The addition of Conor Sinnott and Keith Quinn should bring a high tempo to a young and talented midfield with Paul Murphy’s work-rate up front sure to pose problems for opposing teams. The biggest transfer in was the return of local boy Kenny Browne to the heart of the defence after a season with Sporting Fingal.
With a squad of 20 players, Stephen Henderson now has the quality back-up players required to deal with injuries and suspensions. David Breen’s return to the Blues will also add vital experience to this young squad. The First Division will prove an even more difficult task this season with up to 6 teams challenging for promotion, only time will tell if Waterford United can go one better this season and return to the Premier Division.
ExtraTime Prediction: 2nd.
Year founded: 1930
Major honours: Premier Division Champions: 1965/66, 1967/68, 1968/69, 1969/70, 1971/72, 1972/73. FAI Cup : 1937, 1980. League Cup: 1974, 1985. First Division: 1989/90, 1997/98, 2002/03.
Stadium: RSC
Manager: Stephen Henderson
Captain: Kevin Murray
Transfers in: Conor Sinnott (Drogheda United), Kenny Browne (Sporting Fingal), Keith Quinn (Sporting Fingal), Dwayne Wilson (UCD), Michael Rafter (Colchester United), Lee Chin (Wexford Bohs), Shane Dempsey (North End United).
Transfers out: Liam Kearney (Dandenong Thunder - Australia) , Alan Carey (Cork City), Timmy Purcell (Released), Vinny Sullivan (Cork City), James O'Sullivan (Released), Chris Konopka (Released), Paul MCCarthy (Tramore AFC), John Kearney (Australia), John Hayes (Released), Kevin Waters (Released).
Last season ultimately ended in failure for Waterford United as they failed to gain promotion to the Premier Division. Finishing just three points behind Derry City in the table, they were defeated by Monaghan United in the First Division play-off. A season that promised so much in way of performance, goals and pretty solid performances came down to the team’s inability to break down and beat a solid Monaghan United side on four occasions.
A big squad turnover has seen a relatively new side coming into the new season and with little time to gel together. The loss of John and Liam Kearney is huge to the club but holding onto top scorer Willie John Kiely was an important piece of business. The addition of Conor Sinnott and Keith Quinn should bring a high tempo to a young and talented midfield with Paul Murphy’s work-rate up front sure to pose problems for opposing teams. The biggest transfer in was the return of local boy Kenny Browne to the heart of the defence after a season with Sporting Fingal.
With a squad of 20 players, Stephen Henderson now has the quality back-up players required to deal with injuries and suspensions. David Breen’s return to the Blues will also add vital experience to this young squad. The First Division will prove an even more difficult task this season with up to 6 teams challenging for promotion, only time will tell if Waterford United can go one better this season and return to the Premier Division.
ExtraTime Prediction: 2nd.
About Brendan White
Brendan White is Extratime News Editor and is responsible for the news section of Extratime.ie. Brendan also covers matches in Dublin and Waterford. You can contact Brendan on twitter @whitebrendan. View Full Profile