Brennan's Bred

There was a really great moment on Friday night when Aaron Brennan (pictured above with Academy Director Johnny Dunleavy) made his first-team debut and in the perfect circumstances. 

We had the 16-year-old debutant replacing the 38-year-old club captain who brings him to training when Aaron came on for Pádraig Amond in the 84th minute of Waterford’s 3-0 FAI Cup win against Sligo Rovers. Brennan slotted in at right back for the closing minutes and did all that was asked of him. The best approach for any young player given their opportunity is to do the simple things well and Aaron did that.

Proud Moment: Aaron pictured with his family after the game (Noel Browne)

The young right back joined the Blues from Crettyard United FC two years ago to play for the Under-14s, but has progressed rapidly - through the 15s last year. He began this season with the 17s and then established himself in the 20s over the summer with consistently excellent performances. That caught the eye of Graham Coughlan who promoted him to the first team squad for the past four games.

There was also the highlight of a thumping winning goal against Tottenham Hotspur’s academy in a friendly at the end of July. Brennan ran on to a ball across the box from Jack Garrett and smashed a low drive in off the post from twenty yards to give the Blues the coup of a 3-2 win over the Premier League giants.

With Crettyard being right around the borders of Laois, Kilkenny and Carlow, Aaron travels to training with club captain Amond who is, unsurprisingly, a huge influence on young footballers from the area. It was the ideal opportunity to give Aaron his debut last night and Coughlan chose the circumstances perfectly as it was Podge who welcomed him onto the field in his place. Just another great moment on a fantastic night for the Blues and the Brennans.