2009 Squad
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Michael Devine Squad number: 1 Sponsored by: Perennial Freight Mick returns after a very successful spell at Turner’s Cross, picking up a league winners medal in 2005, the FAI Cup in 2007, and the Setanta Cup in 2008. He also scooped the SWAI Goalkeeper of the year award in the title winning season. Rock solid, dependable, and capable of spectacular agility, he also has a bark that can be heard the length of the pitch, with which he marshalls the defence to great effect. Will always be remembered for the string of 8 clean sheets in the last 8 matches that delivered the Blues from beyond the grave in 1999. Mick is also the club captain this season.
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Kevin Burns Squad number: 17 Sponsored by: The Tower Hotel Kevin comes into the squad on the back of a string of exceptional performances between the sticks in the inaugural Under-20 season, where he displayed outstanding athleticism, lightning quick reactions, and a good head for organisation. Kevin spent seven years at Seaview Celtic, and was signed for the U-20s after a single season at Tramore AFC. The youngster will no doubt also play a key role in this year’s young Blues side, while relishing the experience of learning alongside one of the legends of the game.
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Kevin Murray Squad number: 4 Sponsored by: John Thompson Kevin became Stephen Henderson’s third signing when he was snapped up from under the noses of Cork City in the middle of January 2009. The tall centre half was the rock of Henderson’s defence at Cobh, and already this year has begun to forge a solid partnership with Kenny Browne. Powerful, strong in the air, well able to play ball on the deck, and with an excellent football brain, Kevin has the potential to become a Blues legend.
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Kenny Browne Sponsored by: Tom O’Brien Construction Signed from local side Bohemians in 2004, and gradually forcing his way into the senior squad, ‘Fletch’ became a fixture in the first team in the 2006 season. An injury ravaged 2007 limited his appearances, but last year saw his talent blossom with a series of immense performances for United. Though David Breen jokingly said that he had a pain in his back from carrying Kenny, in fact the pair formed a solid partnership at the heart of the Blues defence. Tough in the tackle, commanding in the air, and with a good football brain and an eye for goal (four to his name last campaign), Kenny has for a long time been a real fans’ favourite, and one of the most talented players in Stephen Henderson’s squad.
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Kieran Fitzgerald Sponsored by: O’Driscoll Glazing Kieran joined the Blues in 2006 from local side Villa FC, and briefly moved to Kilkenny City on loan in February 2007, returning to the RSC before the end of the season, when he made the step up to become an integral member of the senior squad. A strong player, ferocious in the tackle, good in the air, and with a desire to get forward in support of the attack, the local youngster has the potential to be one of the Blues stars of the future. Though chances at his favoured right back position had been somewhat curtailed last season, he shone in the role whenever called upon, and also performed admirably on the right side of midfield when required.
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Declan Woodgate Sponsored by: McDonalds Declan was promoted to the senior set up in January of 2009 after an impressive season with the Under-20 side. Having lined out for the senior team on a couple of occasions two years ago, he has some idea of what to expect this year at the higher level, and the manager has no worries about his ability to make the step up, citing the young full back’s superb attitude and willingness to simply get on with the job in hand. Strong, quick, and with a more than decent passing ability, Declan will have no problems lotting into the mean Blues back line.
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Seamus Long Sponsored by: Nivea For Men The talented defender signed from Douglas Hall at the end of January, and is thought by many to have been the outstanding player in the Munster Senior League for the past two seasons, culminating in his scoring the winner of the LSL in the Inter-League Cup Final in 2008. Previously Seamus has featured in Shamrock Rovers’ 2006 promotion winning side, and prior to that spent two seasons at UCD. Though a natural at right back, Seamus is equally adept on the left, and at centre half, and in addition is comfortable at right or centre midfield.
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John Kearney
Sponsored by: Design & Display Along with Graham Cummins, John was the first new face to be brought into the squad by Stephen Henderson for the current season. The midfielder has bags of ability on the ball, and is at his best as the creative heart of the team, pulling the strings from the centre circle. Also likes to get forward, and has already got off the scoring mark. This year he has shown another string to his bow as an accomplished left back.
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Alan Carey Squad number: 2 Sponsored by: F.L.I. Environmental Alan is back for his second stint at the RSC, having arrived here from Cork City for a couple of seasons in 2004-2005, including the run to the Cup Final. A right back at the time, Alan moved up the touchline in his time at Cobh, developing into a fine right sided player, and scoring some spectacular goals from free kicks, something he has continued to do in the blue shirt. This year he has returned to the right back position, which he has nailed down for most of the season. Was club captain at Cobh in 2007.
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Paul McCarthy Squad number: 8 Sponsored by: Sully’s Snooker Club Paul played part of the 2005 season with the Blues U-21 squad, and was called into the senior side on several occasions that campaign, before briefly returning to his hometown club Tramore. Signing a new contract in 2006, he quickly established himself in the first team, and has been pretty much a regular fixture ever since. Last season Macca suffered a horror fracture of the ankle, compounded with torn ligaments, which kept him out of the side for much of the year. A strong-running midfielder, with an excellent engine and a great football brain. Played through the pain barrier for the Blues this year, but eventually underwent adductor muscle surgery in August which will unfortunately keep Paul out for the remainder of the season.
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Dave Warren Squad number: 33 Sponsored by: n/a Dave started his career at Mayfield United as a central midfielder, before moving to Wrexham FC in 2000 for two seasons. After a frustrating time at Wrexham he returned home and signed for Cork City, but there too found first team opportunities limited, and soon moved to Cobh Ramblers, initially on loan. Having moved into a striking role his career flourished at Cobh, famously including a double hat-trick in an 8-1 demolition of Monaghan United. In 2007 Dave signed for the Blues. Initially used wide in midfield, he soon settled back into to his original central midfield role, putting in a string of immense performances in that berth. After parting company with United after the 2008 season and taking a break from football, the Blues faithful were delighted to see him re-sign in June of 2009. Strong, tough in the tackle, with a seemingly unlimited engine, and an eye for goal, Dave’s return is a majoe boost to Waterford’s push for promotion this season.
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Stephen Grant Squad number: 12 Sponsored by: n/a Stephen returned to the RSC in the July 2009 transfer window, having played here for three seasons between 2004 and 2006, and he adds hugely to Stephen Henderson’s options in both attack and defence, as he can fulfill any role in midfield. Possessing great energy and mobility, Stephen tackles well, loves to get forward in support of the attack, and has an eye for goal. Originally signed from Waterford Bohs, he spent a season at Kilkenny City in 2007, before joining Tramore AFC for the 2008/09 season, helping them to take the Junior League Premier title in May. In September 2004 he scored one of the quickest ever goals at the Brandywell, in the first minute of the Derry City v Waterford United match, only to have it chalked off as the tie was abandoned due to floodlight failure after 19 minutes. In February 2006 he was a late call-up to Don Givens’ Ireland U-21 side for the Madeira Tournament, playing in all three games, and scoring the first goal in the 2-1 win in the final match against Portugal as Ireland went on to win the tournament.
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Paul Walsh Squad number: 20 Sponsored by: n/a An exceptionally talented midfielder, Paul has starred for Limerick on many, many occasions since he joined them last season from Waterford Bohemians, mainly in his preferred role on the right wing. He is comfortable anywhere across midfield or up front, and with great pace, first touch, skill on the ball and a very attacking frame of mind, he is a wonderful addition to the Blues’ attacking arsenal. The 21 year old hails from Grantstown Village in Waterford City, and is currently attending the University of Limerick, where his is in his final year.
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Kevin Waters Squad number: 11 Sponsored by: Azzuri Kevin is the longest serving member of the Blues squad, having signed in 1999 from Clonmel Town. Once established in the senior team, he was virtually ever present on the left side of the Blues midfield, and picked up a First Division Championship medal in 2002/03, along with three Junior International caps. ‘Blondie’ left for Limerick in 2007, and he was the Shannonsiders’ top scorer that year before returning to the RSC at the start of last season. Strong in possession, and comfortable mixing it in the middle or running the wing on the left, Kevin’s prowess from dead ball situations adds another dimension to the Blues attack
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Gary Dunphy Squad number: 16 Sponsored by: Alpha Design A strong pacy midfielder who has the ability and vision to turn any game, Gary initially signed for the Blues in 2005 after a stint at Celtic, but was released the following season. Returning in short order to the U-21 setup, he played his way into the senior squad for the start of last season, featuring regularly. A neat passer who likes to link up play and to push forward in support of the attack, Gary adds a different dimension to the Blues midfield when selected. He also possesses an ice cool temperament from the penalty spot, and is the first choice penalty taker when available, having scored four times from the spot last season.
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Paul Carey Squad number: 14 Sponsored by: Gregory’s Menswear Paul is the third member of the squad to make the step up from the U-20 set-up, and like Declan Woodgate he is now a fully senior player. He was hugely impressive last season for the young Blues, prompting Stephen Henderson to snap him up without delay. Seemingly most comfortable in the middle of midfield, he is equally adept down the right side, and even starred on the left wing in a couple of pre-season cameos. Determined, tenacious, and with an abundance of ability, Paul is definitely one for the future.
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Joe Mulcahy Squad number: 7 Sponsored by: The Irish Daily Star Joey is in his second season with the Blues, having spent time at Shelbourne and his home club Kilkenny City. He has established himself already as an important member of the squad, putting in some impressive performances when called upon, whether from the start or from the bench. Used primarily as a right-sided midfielder in the senior side, Joey captained the U-20 team from a central midfield berth in 2008, driving his team on with maturity, strength, indefatiguable running, and a love of getting forward to join in the attack.
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Willie John Kiely Squad number: 9 Sponsored by: Tony Burke EZ Living The young Blues striker, a natural poacher with a nose for goal, started his career at local clubs Ballinroad, Abbeyside and Waterford Bohs before heading for Dublin and Cherry Orchard, where he won a SFAI Cup winners medal. From there he moved to Aberdeen, starring for their U-19 and reserve sides, but was released in the summer of 2007. Turning down a move to Drogheda, he signed for the Blues in early July. The Abbeyside native started brightly last season but tailed off somewhat towards the end. This year, though, he has been a revelation up front, banging goals in for fun, and his duel with Graham Cummins for the top scoring award has been a feature of the season so far.
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Graham Cummins Squad number: 15 Sponsored by: The Tweedy Group Graham joined the Blues in January of 2009, as Stephen Henderson’s first signing along with fellow ex-Rambler John Kearney. Initially forging a great partnership with Kevin Murray at the heart of the defence, Graham was soon moved up front, and took to the role like a duck to water. He has all the attributes of a great centre forward: quick, strong, possessed of a great touch and pass, superb positional sense and a cool finish. He is in with an excellent chance of finishing the season as the league’s top goalscorer.
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David Grincell Squad number: 10 Sponsored by: Morris’s DIY A skillful, speedy striker who has shown his goalscoring ability at every club, David signed for the Blues after stealing the show in the 2006 Munster Youths Cup Final for Tramore, and in 2007 spent time on loan at Kilkenny City to gain senior experience. Last season he was used very sparingly at first by manager Gareth Cronin, coming off the bench on no less than 16 occasions before getting his first start. The 15th of those occasions is forever burned in the memory of those that witnessed it, however, as Grinny came on against Longford Town to score one of the goals of that or any season, a 35 yard volley that screamed into the top corner. Further double strikes against Fingal and Limerick 37 bolstered his reputation as one of the most exciting talents in the League of Ireland. Has suffered somewhat this season due to the outstanding form of Cummins and Kiely up front, but recently got off the mark in the league with a goal of the season candidate against Finn Harps. Suffered a horror double fracture of the wrist in the first match against Crumlin United in August, but has made a rapid recovery, and returned to action against Harps in Ballybofey in October.
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Vinny Sullivan Squad number: 18 Sponsored by: A Blues stalwart for many years, Vinny re-signed at the end of August 2009, a welcome addition to the squad, particularly after the injury to David Grincell. He began his career at Dungarvan United, moving to Celtic and then Livingston in Scotland before returning home and signing for the Blues in 2002. Apart from one season with Cork City in 2006, he spent all that time at the RSC until the end of last year, and finished top goalscorer in many of those years, including his debut season, and the last two. He returns from a total break from soccer, having spent the early part of the year playing Gaelic football for Dungarvan. A proven goalscorer at League of Ireland level, with pace, presence, and seemingly endless stamina.
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