Waterford FC are delighted to announce Tommy Lonergan has put pen to paper to make his loan move permanent at the club, signing a multi-year deal.
Longeran joined the Blues at the start of the year from Fleetwood Town FC – initially on a season-long loan, as he now makes his move permanent with John Coleman’s side after signing a multi-year contract with the Blues this week.
The Blues number 18 has made an instant impact with the club since his arrival at the start of the season, firing in six goals in our Premier Division campaign – most recently a stunning header against Cork City FC last Friday to double our lead in our 2-0 Munster Derby win.
The Meath-native began his career in the St. Patrick’s Athletic academy after joining from Cherry Orchard, as the forward progressed through the Saints academy from U15 level right up to making his first-team debut in a 6-0 win against Bray Wanderers in the 2021 FAI Cup.
Lonergan departed for UCD AFC for 2022, where he made a long-lasting effect for the Students, as he netted the deciding goal in the 2022 Promotion/Relegation final against the Blues in Richmond Park to help the students return to the top-flight of Irish football, before the sides swapped places twelve-months later as the Blues defeated Cork City to return to the Premier Division.
After an impressive one-year away from St. Patrick’s Athletic, Tommy made the return to Inchicore for the start of the 2023, where he made 36 appearances across all competitions – 31 of which came in the Premier Division.
Tommy ended his time at the Saints on a high, by scoring late on against Bohemians in the 2023 FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium, as the Saints defeated their Dublin rivals on a 3-1 scoreline to pick up their fifth FAI Cup.
Lonergan departed the Saints for Fleetwood Town at the beginning of 2024, a season that saw him net his first goal for the Cods in their final game of the season against Burton Albion at Highbury Stadium, before making the move to the Blues at the start of 2025.
Tommy’s ability was noticed early in his career, as he was rewarded with an International call-up to the Republic of Ireland U16 side, and has progressed through the U18s, U19s & is now an U21 Irish international. To date, impressively Tommy has netted eight times for his country in 16 appearances across all age groups.
The forward netted on his debut for the Blues, firing home a close-range header in our opening-day 3-2 win away to Sligo Rovers FC at The Showgrounds back in February, as he continues to lead the Blues line alongside skipper Pádraig Amond where they have built up a strong connection together.
Speaking to the club after making his move permanent, Tommy spoke of his excitement to be at the RSC on a permanent basis:
“It was the right timing for me now to make my move permanent. Since I’ve come into the club I’ve loved my time here. I feel like the supporters have really brought me into the club, along with the players & staff. I have loved my football here, so it was a no brainer.
It’s a really exciting time for the club, there’s a lot of good young players here along with the experienced players in the dressing room. I want to help the team win games, score goals, get assists – just impact the games and get wins”
Listen to Tommy’s full interview below:
