Waterford FC can confirm that Academy Manager Mike Geoghegan & Head of Academy Coaching Sean Geoghegan have concluded their roles with the Blues this weekend, following the closing weekend of the 2025 League of Ireland Academy season.
After spending over 7 years with the Blues overseeing the Waterford FC Academy structure, Academy Manager Mike Geoghegan has called time on his 8-year journey with the Blues academy.
Having come in ahead of the 2019 season, Mike took over as our MU13’s manager, with Sean joining him to start his coaching pathway alongside each other.
While academy structures & focus became more prominent across clubs in Ireland, Mike took on more of the admin side of the department as Academy Manager, focusing on relationships with parents & players, whilst Sean took up the Head Coach role of the side initially. Fast forward to the beginning of 2025, and Sean took up the role of Head of Academy Coaching where he turned his primary focus into coach development, whether through reviews, watching sessions or coach education – Sean provided a pathway plan for not only the players but coaches too across all age groups within the academy.
When asked on the time they’ve had within their roles, both Mike & Sean had the highest of praise for their time at the academy, with Sean saying 2025 was “probably up there with one of my favourite years of the seven involved being able to have a hand in every single team and work with coaches primarily. It’s more about working with coaches rather than the kids per say. I’d still dot in and take sessions and do sessions with other coaches. It’s been fun seeing the coaches grow throughout the year as well. We’ve tried to do different things like coach education sessions, and then we had more detail on the periodisation plans which has allowed me to really step in and allow me to hone in on the more day to day and principle of play and everything we’re trying to do on the pitch.”
Many of the Academy Graduates Blues fans have witnessed develop into first-team players over recent years have had the bearing of hard work in the background by both Sean and Mike. The duo worked closely with Romeo Akachukwu while he was a Blue, before his record-breaking move to Southampton FC – in fact they travelled to Southampton earlier this month to watch Romeo face European giants Real Madrid FC in their U21 Premier League International Cup meeting, where Romeo played a crucial role guiding the Saints to an impressive 1-1 draw.
Along with Romeo, Mike and Sean both worked closely with Jason Healy, Ronan Mansfield, Jesse Dempsey, Adam Queally, Sean Keane and more recently Mohammad Oladiti – all who have represented the Blues at first-team level across recent years. “We’ve seen them get better and get good and the weaknesses they have – you’d wonder how far the lads will go and it’s great to see from our perspective”, Mike commented when asked on working with those players.
When questioned on their highlights from their time in the academy, Mike mentioned the years of working closely with his son Sean, mentioning “getting work closely together for the 5 or 6 years with the team without killing each other! Also small things like when the kids come in and shake our hands and know us by name, and even with the coaches sitting down with them before training having a coffee almost brings you back into a dressing room setting as a player with the banter & enjoyment. Then to the players, seeing their development, watching them grow & develop as individuals but also in a team setting, it’s pleasing.”
Sean mentioned his day-to-day dealings gave him the greatest satisfaction, having “relationships with those who really care about the academy with everyone working towards the same goals. Everyone here loves football, they want to do the best for the kids. It’s the relationships with people that I will miss the most, and I’m proud that we’ve helped turn here into one of the best academies in the country.”
The pair concluded by thanking everyone who they’ve had the chance to work with within the academy, whether it’s current coaches, volunteers or parents to those who had been involved previously. “We would like to thank everyone – there’s probably too many names to mention individually – but even from Jamie Dalton in the S&C Department and the role that plays in our academy now to Craig Shead who has done phenomenal work with our pre-academy, and just all coaches & parents who have been so respectful to towards us”.
We asked some of those who worked closest with Mike & Sean over the last seven years to give a word of appreciation to the duo.
Ronan Mansfield
Mike and Sean have played a huge role in my career so far, having come in as a shy country lad at u14s to getting into the first team I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the countless hours of work Sean and other coaches put in with me on the pitch. I also wouldn’t be where I am today without Mike always being there to help and advise me on how to get better and how to get closer to where I want to be. The work Mike and Sean put into this academy should never go unnoticed as the academy wouldn’t be where it is today without them. Thanks for everything.
Jason Healy
I started from U13 coming from Southend to Waterford and I was lucky enough to work under both of them where both of them have contributed into where I am today and to what I have achieved so far whether it was international caps for Ireland or first team appearances for Waterford coming the whole way through the academy set up which is a credit to both of them for making these dreams a reality. The support they have given me throughout the years has been immense with Waterford covering games the extra sessions and all the hours they put in to developing me as a player on the pitch and travelling up to Northern Ireland to watch me and Adam Queally play the Victory Shield with Ireland just shows the type of people they were as it wasn’t just on the pitch they helped me but also off it and I’m so greatful to have gotten that support through all the years.
Adam Queally
I started my journey with the academy at 13 under the guidance of Sean & Mike, and I worked with them since that day until now. Without a doubt I wouldn’t of achieved anything in football to date without Mike & Sean’s support and backing. The two boys put so much work into it that goes unnoticed most of the time and it is only when I got a bit older I realised the work thet did for me with football, but also outside of it they offered me a lot of stuff including work & education outside of football. They really looked after me and took care of me in a lot of ways over the past few years and I can’t thank them enough for what they have done for me – I’m sure we will always keep in touch. Thank you very much Sean & Mike.
Romeo Akachukwu
Firstly I want to say a huge thank you to Mike and Sean for everything they’ve done for me over the past number of years. You both have somehow managed to deal with me from the age of 13 all the way through to 18 – which some may say deserves a medal on its own! In all seriousness, Mike and Sean played a massive part in my journey. You both coached me, pushed me, believed in me and gave me a platform to express myself. The things I learned from you both will stick with me, not just in football but in life. I’m genuinely grateful for every bit of time, effort and patience you invested in me. It’s sad to see you both depart from the club as you’ve done great work for myself and all the lads in the academy. Finally I just want to give massive thanks to you both for all your dedication and effort for me!
Sean Keane
Sean and Mike were the two people who brought me into the academy when I was 12 years old. They were then my head coaches the whole way up until I was about 18. They played such a pivotal role in mine and all my teammates growth within the game. They had us for the most important years in our career. They gave up so much of their own time to help us grow as players and people and for that we’ll all be very grateful. On behalf of me and all my teammates, we’d like to thank them both for everything they’ve done for us. It’s been a pleasure playing for and learning from you both.
Craig Shead (Head of Academy Recruitment)
Best wishes to both Mike and Sean. The time and commitment you’ve given to this academy and club over the last eight years has been incredible. You set the standards, the structure, and the heartbeat of the academy. Most people will never really understand the hours, the effort, and the care it took to bring it to the healthy place it’s in today. On a personal note, I can’t thank you both enough. Your support and guidance, both as a coach and as a person helped me grow and thrive in an environment I loved being part of. Being trusted to build the pre-academy was a real honour, and getting to do it alongside the two of you is something I’ll always look back on with huge pride. Thank you from me, and thank you from the hundreds of players, parents, and families across the South East who’ve benefited from the foundations you built. You’ve made a lasting impact on so many young footballers. You’ll genuinely be missed. You never did it for the praise, but you deserve every bit of it.
Xander Coolbear (MU14 Head Coach)
Its been a privilege to work with Mike and Sean over the last few years. You can see the passion and care they had for the academy, club, players and staff. Giving countless hours on and off the pitch. Always wanting whats best for academy and club. Both helping bring the academy to where it is now as one of the top academy in the country. The work they have done is hugely appreciated by staff,parents and players. They will be missed.
Derek Hearne (MU17 Head Coach)
Just to wish Mike and Sean best wishes in the future and thank both for the hard work they’ve done with the Waterford FC academy. Over their time there they have really brought it forward. I’m coaching in Academy over 6 years and they have always been on end of the phone for advice or guidance and it was an honour to have their trust in me to name me as the MU17’s manager the season gone.
Jamie Dalton (Head of S&C)
Congratulations on a fantastic job. Working beside you both the past seven seasons, witnessing your hard work and commitment has been an incredible experience. Growing the academy to the strongest it has ever been and always putting the players first. You have always created an environment where not only the players but the coaches are encouraged to grow and develop. Thank you for trusting in me allowing me to develop my role and for pushing me to be better. You should both be very proud the terrific job you have done. The very best for the future.
Everyone associated with Waterford Football Club would like to thank both Mike & Sean Geoghegan for their time, efforts & dedication to our academy over the course of the last seven years to help it grow from where it was to where it is now. We wish them both the very best going forward.
