Waterford FC are excited to announce our academy structure for the upcoming season, with competitive action getting underway for our MU14s, MU15s & MU17s this weekend.
Mike Geoghegan will continue his role as Academy Manager, with Sean Geoghegan overseeing the Academy Head Coach role. Craig Shead will return to the academy, acting as the recruitment & pre-academy manager.
Brian Murphy will over the goalkeeping department as Goalkeeping Head Coach, and will work closely with Derek Hearne, Mark Mason & Matt Connor. Jamie Dalton is the Head of Strength & Conditioning, along with Derek O’Neill & Vanessa McLoughlin named as the academy physios for the season.
MU20/MU17 Coaching Staff: AJ Murray, Daryl Murphy, Eddie Nolan, Kevin Condon, Robert Clifford & Nils Lukaku.
MU15 Coaching Staff: Paul Cleary, Gary Hearne, Sebastian Fialkiewicz & Davy Doyle.
MU14 Coaching Staff: Xander Coolbear, Paidi Power & Adam O’Grady.
WU19 Coaching Staff: Jess Lawton & Peter O’Hagan
WU17 Coaching Staff: Trevor Casey, Brendan White & Colm O’Neill
Academy Manger Mike Geoghegan gave his thoughts on what promises to be another exciting year for the Academy:
“We are all looking forward to the upcoming 2024 season. There is a great feeling around the club, and there is much needed stability.”
“Our sole aim is the development of young players, and we are delighted with Romeo Akachukwu’s progress and that he has being joined by Adam Queally and Jason Healy in full-time first-team training. We look forward to others progressing through the next season.”
“At the other end of the scale we welcome a talented group of 2010s drawn from 15 clubs in the region to begin their time with Waterford FC. We look forward to continuing the great work being done on the women’s side of the Academy.”
LOOKING AHEAD TO THIS WEEKENDS FIXTURES
MU15: Waterford FC vs Cork City FC
Our MU15 side host Cork City FC this Saturday in SETU Arena for their opening game of their EA Sports MU15 Group D campaign. Looking ahead to this game, Head Coach Paul Cleary gave us his thoughts on the season ahead:
“We are looking forward to the challenge of Cork City on Saturday. The lads have worked hard over pre-season, and they are excited to get going for the year ahead. The lads’ attitude has been super so far and it’s exciting now to get things going.”
MU17: Kerry FC vs Waterford FC
Our MU17 side make the journey to Tralee on Sunday to kick-off their season away to Kerry FC in their EA Sports MU17 Group C. Senior Coach Kevin Condon is excited for the group to get straight into the action on Sunday as they’re season begins:
“We have an exciting under 17 group with excellent potential across the squad. It is an opportunity for this group of players, many of whom have been with the academy for the last three to four years, to test themselves against high calibre opposition.”
“The under 17 league represents an underage competition which clubs take seriously with European qualification consequences and must be an environment this group embrace in order to thrive individually and collectively long term.”
MU14: Waterford FC vs Cobh Ramblers FC
Finally our MU14s kick off their first-ever competitive game for the club with a home game against Cobh Ramblers FC on Sunday at SETU Arena. Head Coach Xander Coolbear spoke about how the group are looking forward to getting onto the pitch on Sunday:
“Our U14s have had a good pre-season and worked hard. They are ready to get their season started against Cobh. It’s been great to see the development from the players. From when they first came into the club up until this point.”
“We are all looking forward to a great start of the season and seeing this group develop over the season.”
Best of luck to all our academy sides kicking off their competitive seasons in the coming weeks!
