2012 Squad
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Packie Holden DOB: 10/06/1979 Sponsored by: Munster Green Homes
32-year-old Packie returns for his third spell between the sticks at the RSC, having first joined from Evergreen FC in 2003. A year at Cobh Ramblers in 2006 was followed by a return to Suirside, and then the short move down to the N25 to Wexford Youths, where he has spent the past three seasons. A strong, agile keeper, and a great shot stopper, the Kilkenny native also brings vast League experience to the United squad. He was voted Player of the Season by the Blues supporters in 2008, and by Youths fans in 2010. |
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Robbie Hughes DOB: 17/01/1992 Sponsored by: Perennial Freight
The highly rated Robbie Hughes signed in January from Shamrock Rovers. The Kildare native, only just 20, has played for Rovers U-20 and ‘A’ Championship sides for the past two seasons, and previously had experience of the FAI Cup with Cherry Orchard. Ready for the step up to first team football, Robert will be looking to make the Blues’ number one jersey his own this year. |
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John Frost Sponsored by: Nivea for Men
‘Frostie’ spent the first eight years of his career at the RSC, and returns after a six-and-a-half year absence. He joined St Patrick’s Athletic from United in the summer of 2005 for a successful three year spell which included an FAI Cup final appearance, and bettered that with Sporting Fingal, winning the Cup and gaining promotion in 2009. Last year he was a key part of Limerick’s excellent season that just fell short of the play-off places. The 31-year-old former Blues skipper brings a wealth of League experience to the young squad, complementing an all-action style and a never-say-die attitude that will significantly strengthen United’s backline for the coming campaign. |
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Seamus Long Sponsored by: Sully’s Snooker & Sporting Club
The talented and hugely versatile defender signed from Douglas Hall in January 2009, after two outstanding seasons at Munster Senior League level. Previously Seamus had featured in Shamrock Rovers’ 2006 promotion winning side, and prior to that spent two seasons at UCD. Though a natural at right back, he is equally adept on the left, and is also comfortable in midfield where he has lined out on several occasions for the Blues. His strong and solid presence at centre back or defensive mid will play a key part in the United defence this year. |
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David Breen
DOB: 04/04/1979 Sponsored by: Clem Jacob Hire
To a chorus of approval, David re-signed last season for his third spell with the club. Beginning his league career at Kilkenny City under Alfie Hale, he initially spent six years at United from 1999 to 2005, then a spell at Cobh Ramblers (under Stephen Henderson), before being brought back to the RSC by Gareth Cronin. In 2009 he moved to Wexford Youths, and played the following year in the blue and black of Athlone Town. The 32-year-old brings organization, defensive nous and vast experience to the squad. He has won the First Division title with both Waterford and Kilkenny.
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Peter White DOB: 03/08/1986 Sponsored by: Robert Thompson Funeral Directors
Peter began his career with his home club Carrick United and Kilkenny City before joining Limerick in 2006, remaining with the Shannonsiders until the end of last season, apart from a hiatus in 2009 when he lined out for Wexford Youths. Strong in the tackle, good in the air, and with a great engine, the 25-year-old made 29 League appearances in his first season back at Jackman Park, and 16 last time out as competition for places intensified. At home in a central defensive role, the versatile Tipperary man can also play at full back and in midfield. |
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Craig Burns Sponsored by: Tom Murphy Car Sales
Craig signed in January from his home town club Cork City, having previously had a spell at Dundee United. A strong central defender who is good in the air and with the ball at his feet, the highly-regarded Craig captained City’s FAI Youth Cup winning side last season, before being signed up to the senior team in the summer. |
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Paul Carey DOB: 12/01/1989 Sponsored by: Gregory’s Clothes for Men
Paul made the breakthrough to the senior squad from the U20 set-up two seasons ago, making 17 appearances on 2010, and 19 last year, mostly at right full back, where he put in some eye-catching performances. A versatile player, he is also comfortable anywhere in midfield, particularly in the centre where he starred many times for the young Blues. Determined, tenacious, and with an abundance of ability, Paul is definitely one for the future.
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Dylan Mernagh Sponsored by: McDonalds
Versatile defender Dylan also signed at the beginning of this year, having impressed with the Wexford Oscar Traynor side who he helped to reach a semi-final clash with the AUL in this season’s competition. Though Australian by birth, Dylan is very much a local lad, having played for many years with Villa FC’s underage sides, and along with John Frost and Daragh Walshe is also a member of the WIT team coached by Paul O’Brien. |
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Jamie Cross Sponsored by: Available for sponsorship
Jamie is another of the Blues Under 19 side to make the step up to senior level, doing so early this season in the Munster Senior Cup win over Castleview. With regular left back John Frost injured, Jamie slotted in with impressive maturity and poise, playing the full 90, and underlining the promise he has shown as a key part of Tommy Griffin’s side this season. Full of running, quick to get forward, and definitely one to watch for the future. |
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Lee Delaney
DOB: 16/06/1993 Sponsored by: Available for sponsorship
Lee is yet another of the precocious talents to advance to senior level from the Under 19 set-up. A relative late-comer to Tommy Griffin’s squad this season, the talented defender slotted in with ease to a team already bursting with talent, making a number of assured appearances at the back, and will surely continue to do so. This in turn has earned him an early call-up to the first team, and he was named among the subs for the opening league fixture. A new work situation meant that, as of July 2012, Lee could no longer commit the time required. The club were very sad to part ways, and wish him every success in his future.
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Stephen Mulcahy
DOB: 09/07/1987 Sponsored by: Available for sponsorship
Stephen started with Cork City, where he has played almost his whole career apart from a short spell at Cobh Ramblers. Returning to Turner’s Cross, he became a regular in the side in 2010, earning him two international caps with Paul Doolin’s U23s, including against England at the RSC. Injury blighted most of last season, and he has struggled to break back into the Premier side, so was signed on loan by the Blues to get some game time under his belt. A hugely talented and versatile player, Stephen can line out with equal ease at centre back, full back and in the middle of the park. Made his debut against SD Galway in mid-July.
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Gary Dempsey DOB: 05/01/1981 Sponsored by: Suirdzign
Gifted midfielder Gary returns for his second spell, having last worn the Blue shirt in the 2001-02 season, when he was voted Supporters Player of the Year. A move to the SPL saw him spend several seasons at Dunfermline and Aberdeen, and then a spell with Yeovil Town, before returning to St Pat’s in 2008. After a short stint back in the UK with Darlington he moved back to Bray Wanderers in the summer of 2010, becoming an instant hit with the fans at the Carlisle Grounds, winning their Player of the Year last year. The Wexford native, still only 31, will bring a wealth of experience to the heart of the Blues midfield, added to the full range of passing skills and exceptional vision.
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Paul Phelan DOB: 06/01/1985 Sponsored by: Morris’s Builders Providers
The 27-year-old signed last summer after an excellent season with New Ross Celtic – runners-up in the Wexford League, and semi-finals of the FAI Junior Cup, which of course set up a 3rd round FAI Cup clash at the RSC, in which he put in an eye-catching performance on the left wing. Previously he also had a spell at the RSC with the Blues U21 side. Paul has won multiple League and Cup medals with Celtic, and was capped for the Republic of Ireland Amateur side against Northern Ireland in 2009.
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Gary Dunphy DOB: 13/01/1988 Sponsored by: DVF Print & Graphic Solutions
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, and played his way into the senior squad for the start the 2008 season, featuring regularly. A neat passer, who covers huge ground to protect his back four, he also likes to link up play and to push forward in support of the attack, adding a different dimension to the Blues midfield when selected. He also possesses an ice cool temperament from the penalty spot. |
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Peter Higgins DOB: 04/05/1987 Sponsored by: Audi Waterford
24-year-old Peter, an attack-minded midfield player, and another Kilkenny native, signed in January of this year. A tough-tackling, all-action player, he starred for Tramore AFC in their Munster Youth Cup victory in 2006, before heading to Drury University in the US. While there he won an Inter-Collegiate championship, and any number of Collegiate representative honours, before returning home after four years. |
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Ben Ryan DOB: 19/01/1991 Sponsored by: The Daily Star
21-year-old attacking midfielder Ben Ryan returns to the Blues (where he starred in the Under-20 set-up in 2009) after a couple of years in the senior game with Wexford Youths. The Kilkenny native had a very good season with our closest neighbours last time out, making 28 league starts, and scoring six times, the highlight of which may well have been a stunning free kick to take all three points at the RSC in July. He also starred and scored in Wexford’s 4-1 Cup demolition of Derry City. |
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Peter Keegan Sponsored by: Uluru Restaurant
Dubliner Peter played at schoolboy level for Belvedere FC. Then, just like our other midfield Peter, he moved to star in US College football, for Genesee Community College in New York, captaining them to the final of a National Junior College Athletic Association tournament last November. An influential midfielder with an eye for the back of the net, his 7 goals and 6 assists in the Cougars’ 20 game season earned him a place in that level’s All-American team of the year. |
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Jack Doherty Sponsored by: Available for sponsorship
Along with Sean Maguire, Jack was promoted to the senior squad by manager Paul O’Brien at the end of August 2011. A Clonmel native, the midfielder starred with the Villa last season, was a member of the Waterford Schoolboy side which reached the Inter League Cup final in June, and impressed hugely during the U19s’ pre-season programme, so much so that the club moved quickly to sign him up until the end of 2012. He continues to perform outstandingly for the young Blues, and made his senior debut away to Limerick in the last match of last year. |
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Aidan McGrath DOB: 27/09/1993 Sponsored by: Available for sponsorship
Still only 18, Aidan has been a regular star for the underage sides for the past two seasons, in a number of positions, from up front to wide midfield and more recently as a more than capable full back. Whether in defence or midfield, the right side of the pitch is his preferred area of deployment, from where he contributes hugely to the Blues attack. He made the senior bench on three occasions last season, with his sole appearance in the win over Mervue in July. |
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Conor Coad DOB: 06/02/1994 Sponsored by: Available for sponsorship
Conor is yet another of the many Under 19 players to be brought into the senior set-up over the past year or so, making the bench last August for the trip to Monaghan, and this season for the win over Limerick. A gifted midfielder, with a sublime set of skills and the ability to run a game from the middle of of the park, Conor can also line out up front or out wide, and it sure won’t be long before he is making a regular contribution to the first team. Very much one to watch over the coming months! |
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Willie John Kiely DOB: 25/06/1988 Sponsored by: Macron
Willie John started his career with 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 U19 and reserve sides, but was released in the summer of 2007, signing for the Blues despite keen interest from Drogheda. A superb 21-goal haul in 2010 saw Willie John finish joint top scorer in the Division, and lift the Blues fans’ Player of the Year award, but sad circumstances last season mitigated against a reprise. A natural poacher with a nose for goal, it’s sometimes easy to forget the young striker is still only 23 years old. |
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Gary Keane DOB: 10/02/1989 Sponsored by: Great Stuff Catering
Gary is another player to move up from the U20 ranks to the senior squad two seasons ago, on the back of some fine performances, where he stood out as having the build and explosive power for the hurly-burly of the League of Ireland, as well as the talent with the ball at his feet. Quick and lively, and with a natural flair for the game, he can play equally as well up front or wide midfield. He has played for the Waterford Schoolboy League development squads and Waterford Youths. Following a request Gary’s contract with the Blues was terminated by mutual consent in August 2012, and all at the club wish him well for the future.
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Daragh Walshe DOB: 20/08/1991 Sponsored by: McLeary’s Restaurant
The 20-year-old began his League career with FC Carlow, at Under-20 and in the ‘A’ Championship, before joining Wexford Youths last year. He made 21 League starts, and finished the season strongly, scoring twice in the last five games. Daragh’s signing adds power and height to the Blues front line, added to no little skill with the ball at his feet, and he has shown his ability to find the net in each side he has played for. He has represented Ireland at Under-18 Schools level, featuring in the 2010 Centenerary Shield winning squad, and scoring against Cyprus and Australia. |
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Sean Maguire Sponsored by: Stan Bergin Monumental Works
Striker Sean, who hails from Castlecomer, first joined the U19 set-up from Evergreen in Kilkenny, where he was a scoring sensation, notching 50+ goals for the club in that season. He quickly made the step up to United’s senior squad, with a number of impressive displays in eight appearances towards the end of last season. While continuing to shine, and seemingly score for fun, for the U19s, Sean also notched his debut senior goal away to Wexford last October. |
