2010 Squad
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Chris Konopka Squad number: 1 Sponsored by: Azzuri Chris joined the Blues in December 2009. The New Jersey native, who played for Kansas City Wizards in the US Major League in 2007, as well as for the US U-23 National team, spent the 2008 season with Bohemians, finishing with an A-Championship runners-up medal, and on the fringes of the senior side that won the league and Cup double that year. He joined Sporting Fingal on a short term contract in the summer of 2009, and helped the Ravens to lift the FAI Cup, playing a key role in the semi-final victory over Bray Wanderers, and to gain promotion to the Premier Division via the play-offs. Tall, agile and athletic, and an excellent shot-stopper, Chris is very highly rated in the Irish game.
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Kevin Burns Squad number: 17 Sponsored by: The Star Kevin stepped up to the senior squad last year after 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. Called upon on a number of occasions during the campaign, most memorably in the FAI Cup semi final against Sligo Rovers, he showed time and again why he is so highly rated. He spent seven years at Seaview Celtic, and another at Tramore AFC, before signing for the Blues.
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Josh Byrne Squad number: 20 Sponsored by: In House
Along with Gary Keane, Josh makes the step up to the senior squad from last year’s Under-20s (though still qualified to play in both teams) after impressing hugely for the young Blues last season. He got a brief taste of the set-up in the FAI Cup semi final where he was drafted in as cover for Kevin Burns, but this year has seen plenty of game time in pre-season, most notably when he filled in for Tramore AFC with an outstanding display between the sticks. Quick and agile, with superb positioning and handling, and a commanding presence way beyond his years, Josh has already been capped at U-17 and U-18 schoolboy levels, and is most definitely one to watch for the future.
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Kevin Murray Squad number: 4 Sponsored by: Tom O’Brien Construction
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 proved the same again last season when he forged a formidable partnership with Kenny Browne at the heart of the Blues defence. Powerful, strong in the air, well able to play ball on the deck, and with an excellent football brain, Kevin quickly established himself as a fans’ favourite, and is well on the way to becoming a Blues legend. Incredibly, he played every single minute of every game in the 2009 season.
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John Hayes Sponsored by: The Tower Hotel
John returns to the Blues after a year’s hiatus, and has immediately slotted in like he was never away. That leave of absence aside, he has been with the club since signing from Waterford Bohs in 2004, though he had loan spells at Kilkenny and Cobh early on to gain league experience. Versatile in defence, he is comfortable both at right back and his favoured centre back position, as well as defensive midfield. Solid in the tackle and a good reader of the game, John is always prepared to give everything for the cause, and he has put in many inspirational performances in the blue shirt, with hopefully many more to come.
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Seamus Long Sponsored by: Paul O’Neill Construction
The talented 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. Quick and strong, he played a key part in what proved to be a mean defence last year. Though a natural at right back, Seamus is equally adept on the left, and at centre half, and is also comfortable in midfield, where he lined out on several occasions towards the end of 2009.
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John Kearney
Sponsored by: Alpha Web Design
John was one of the first new faces to be brought into the squad by Stephen Henderson for the 2009 season, and little wonder. He is blessed with bags of ability on the ball, and from a midfield role can be the creative focus of the team, pulling the strings from the centre circle, as well as getting forward to get among the goals. However, last season he displayed another string to his bow. The manager’s ability to reinvent players showed once again, as he proved to be an outstanding left full back, and was one of the genuine contenders for Player of the Year.
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Alan Carey Squad number: 2 Sponsored by: Perennial Freight
Alan is on 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. Though used primarily on the right side of midfield while at Cobh Ramblers, he has returned to his more accustomed right back position with the Blues, a position he has made his own. A virtual ever-present all of last season, his absence was keenly felt in the few games he did miss towards the end of the campaign. Solid at the back, with an excellent delivery, both from play and from the dead ball.
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Kevin Waters Squad number: 11 Sponsored by: John Thompson Funeral Director
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 2006, and he was the Shannonsiders’ top scorer the following year before returning to the RSC at the start of 2008. 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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Paul Carey Squad number: 14 Sponsored by: Sully’s Snooker Hall
Paul made the step up to the senior squad from the U-20 set-up last season, but some bad luck with injuries cost him a couple of chances to cement a regular place. This year he will be hoping for better luck in that regard, and has had a good run in the side in pre-season. Most comfortable in the middle of midfield, and comfortable down both flanks, he has been used mostly at full back in recent matches, where he as acquitted himself admirably. Determined, tenacious, and with an abundance of ability, Paul is definitely one for the future.
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Paul McCarthy Squad number: 8 Sponsored by: Fitzpatrick’s Manor Lodge Restaurant
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 a regular ever since. Paul’s last two seasons have been severely disrupted with injuries though, a fractured ankle keeping him out for much of 2008, and a double groin operation forcing him to miss half of last year. A strong-running midfielder, with an excellent engine and a great football brain, this year he will be hoping for a long, productive, and injury-free run in the first team.
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Liam Kearney Squad number: 7 Sponsored by: Clem Jacob Hire
Nicknamed ‘the Conna Maradona’, Liam is winger of immense skill and trickery, who has lit up the League wherever he has played. Most at home on the left wing, he is comfortable anywhere across midfield or in attack, and has vast experience at the top level in the domestic game, as well as at underage level both in the UK, with Notts Forest, and with the International sides.He has seven Under 21 caps to his name, and one goal, against Italy in 2007, and also played in the U-16 European Championships in Israel in 2000, and made the semi-finals in the U-19 Euro Championships in Norway in 2002. A fantastic coup for the club, his signing significantly boosts the manager’s attacking options ahead of the new campaign.
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Gareth Cambridge Squad number: 23 Sponsored by: McDonald’s
Gareth started his league career at Cobh, where he won the Under-21 Player of the Year and then a First Division champions medal under Stephen Henderson. Upon moving upriver to Cork City in 2008, he added a Setanta Cup winners medal to his collection, but an uncertain future at the Leeside club saw him look further afield. Snapped up by the boss in January, Gareth brings bags of pace and attacking flair to the right wing or the forward line this season. Capped by Ireland at U-19 level, and NOT related to Blues coach Martin!
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James O’Sullivan Squad number: 22 Sponsored by: Nivea for Men
An attack minded midfielder of enormous potential, James is the most recent addition to the Blues fold, joining just before the transfer deadline from Clonmel Town. The highly rated Tipperary player had been attracting interest from several quarters, including Bohemians. Played for Cashel against David Grincell’s Tramore in the 2006 Munster Youth Cup final.
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Gary Dunphy Squad number: 16 Sponsored by: FLI Environmental
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 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.
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Timmy Purcell Squad number: 21 Sponsored by: Gregory’s Clothes For Men
Timmy, a native of Kilkenny, joins the Blues after three seasons at UCD, and previously two at Shelbourne, where he also gained valuable experience with the Ireland Schools squad, in 2005/6. A very attack minded player, whether up front or on the right side of midfield, he has impressed in pre-season, and has already gotten off the mark with a goal in the second warm-up match. A neat passer, with good balance, quick feet, and an ability to drift into dangerous positions, Timmy brings a different set of skills again to the pace and guile of Grincell, the nous and presence of Sullivan, or the poacher’s instinct of Kiely.
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Willie John Kiely Squad number: 9 Sponsored by: Snap Printing
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, signing for the Blues despite keen interest from Drogheda. He had an excellent season in front of goal in 2009 when vying for the top scorer accolade with Graham Cummins, notching 17 times in all competitions, and will be looking to better that feat this year.
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Gary Keane Squad number: 15 Sponsored by: Morris’ DIY Gary is another player to move up from the U-20 ranks to the senior squad for this season, on the back of some fine performances last year, 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 in midfield. He has played for the Waterford Schoolboy League development squads and Waterford Youths.
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David Grincell Squad number: 10 Sponsored by: Great Stuff Catering 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. He burst onto the league scene, once he’d begun to get regular starts, with a 35-yard wonder strike against Longford Town in 2008, but he suffered somewhat last season due to the outstanding form of Cummins and Kiely up front. He then suffered a horror double fracture of the wrist in August, but made a rapid recovery to feature prominently in the run-in. After all that, Grinny will be very keen this year to build on his undoubted talent.
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Vinny Sullivan Squad number: 18 Sponsored by: Beautyteam.ie A Blues stalwart for many years, Vinny re-signed at the end of August 2009, in part to cover for the injured David Grincell, but he soon showed his worth to the side, finishing with a half-dozen goals for his half-season. He played for Dungarvan United, and then Celtic and 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. A proven goalscorer at League of Ireland level, with pace, presence, and seemingly endless stamina, Vinny is in line this year to pass the 60 goal milestone for United.
many thanks to beautyteam.ie for organising the photos! |
