Ringing The Changes Keeps Blues In Tune

The Last Word by Brendan White

(first published in the March 2011 Finn Harps match programme)

While looking through the transfer list from the pre-season just gone by in the Airtricity League, the thing that stands out the most is the huge number of players who have moved clubs.

Most of the clubs on the list have at least five players coming in and also going out, and in some cases the number of players moving are in double figures. The First Division has certainly seen its fair share of transfers since last season. Shelbourne have brought in 14 players, Monaghan United 12 players, and Cork City nine. This is a huge turnover which should ensure a period of gelling together will be needed at the clubs.

For the Blues, eight new players have joined the club, while ten have departed. Liam Kearney, Alan Carey, Timmy Purcell, Vinny Sullivan, James O’Sullivan, Chris Konopka, Paul McCarthy, John Kearney, John Hayes and Kevin Waters have all left the club.
In their place has come a mixture of youth and experience. David Breen returns to the Blues and certainly brings valuable experience to a young squad. Full-back Lee Chin and midfielder Shane Dempsey have joined and both already look to break into the first team starting eleven.

A terrific signing for the club has been the return of Kenny Browne. The Waterford-born defender spent the 2010 season with Sporting Fingal, finishing in fourth place in the Premier Division last season. His partnership with Kevin Murray could be vital to this season’s success. Conor Sinnott has joined having spent 2010 with St Patrick’s Athletic and Drogheda United. The creative midfield player from Wexford will look to fill the void left by the departure of John Kearney.

Keith Quinn joins Kenny Browne in making the move from Sporting Fingal. The left-footed midfielder spent time with Sheffield United before returning home last season. Comfortable in midfield or at the back, his versatility should help should injuries and suspensions build up during the season. Two players Waterford United supporter will know little about are Michael Rafter and Dwayne Wilson. Striker Rafter joined having been on the books at Colchester United last year. The young Tipperary native has shown his eye for goal already this season with goals against Bray Wanderers and Newbridge Town. Winger Wilson signed for the Blues from UCD. Pace is the name of the game for Wilson who will look to run at defences and deliver the ball for the strike force.

Another player added to the Blues first team is Brian Nolan. Nolan starred for the Blues Under-20 side last season and was quickly snapped up by for the first team. Nolan, comfortable in defence or midfield, has shown his ability with a brilliant performance against Newbridge Town in a friendly match last weekend. His energy and passing ability will have him fighting for a starting place in Stephen Henderson’s squad very soon.

Despite the loss of a number of key players from last year, the new crop have the ability to go all the way this season.