Waterford FC would like to pass on our deepest condolences to the family & friends of our former academy & first-team goalkeeping coach, Billy Hearne, who sadly passed away yesterday.
Billy was a long-serving proud member of our club as a goal-keeping coach for our first team, along with various underage sides throughout the years. Billy was a member of the backroom-team that won the 2019 SSE Airtricity U19 League.
Billy became Waterford United FC’s Head of Goalkeeping Development in 2016, staying in the role when the club re-branded to Waterford FC, showing his excellence in the academy through developing goalkeepers for the first team and further.
In total, Billy spent over 17 years involved with the Blues across every level of the club, before retiring from his coaching duties in 2020 and enjoying his Friday nights from the stands of the RSC.
Along with Waterford FC, Billy was also a great servant to his schoolboy club De La Salle FC, as a valued player, coach & committee member across five decades.
Billy played an important role with the FAI over the years, being at the fore of the successful Emerging Talent Programme which has produced many international-level players across many age groups.
Waterford FC Chief Operating Officer Richy Walsh commented on Billy’s sad passing, mentioning:
“Everyone here at Waterford FC is deeply saddened to hear the news of Billy’s passing.
Billy was a fantastic man, a great character & an excellent coach. I had the pleasure of being coached by Billy as a player and worked alongside him with our first team & academy sides also.
A real footballing man who gave so much to football & players over the years – especially within our own club and his beloved De La Salle FC.
He will be deeply missed by all, and we share our condolences with his family during this difficult time.”
Ar dheis Dé raibh a hanam.
