Academy '26 Preview

The hectic schedule of Waterford FC academy teams begins again with the league campaigns of six teams launching this weekend while work progresses with several pre-academy teams too. Gary Hunt is overseeing the busy start of the 2026 season as Interim Head of Academy with two full-time positions to be filled by the Blues in the coming weeks. Some experienced heads and fresh faces make up the coaching staff for the various teams with an abundance of talented players from the southeast region starting out on their footballing careers.

Former Ireland international Eddie Nolan continues in his role as Head Coach of the Under-20s with assistance from Derek Browne (Cappoquin) as well as Craig Dunphy and Odhran O’Connor Colbert. This side, who also operate as the de facto reserve squad for the first team, start out 2026 with a trip to Carlow on Saturday (the 21st) for a 3pm kick-off against CK United. They will host Klub Kildare at SETU Arena a week later and also have Bray Wanderers, Shamrock Rovers and Wexford FC in their group for the opening phase of the league. 

The Under-20s have had a busy preseason as they (with some additions from the first team) have beaten both Riverstown FC and Cobh Ramblers in the Munster Senior Cup before falling in the semi-final against Rockmount this week. Many of these players impressed throughout January’s first team friendly matches with manager Jon Daly highlighting the contributions of Muhammad Oladiti, Alan Zborowski and Orion Cala at a recent Fans Forum. 

 

 

Derek Hearne remains in charge of the Under-17 boys having taken them to the Mark Farren Cup final last year. He will be assisted by Rob Clifford, Seb Fialkewicz and Merino Lucic. Their first league match is away to CK United on Sunday at United Park in Thomastown. Bray Wanderers, Klub Kildare, Shamrock Rovers and Wexford complete their group.

The Under-15s are led by Xander Coolbear with help from Nathan O’Connor and club legend Vinny Sullivan. They have been grouped with Bray Wanderers, Klub Kildare, Shamrock Rovers, Wexford and CK United – against whom they begin with a clash at SETU Arena this Saturday at 2pm. 

The other Derek Browne returns to the club - having worked with the first team and academy in the past – and will take charge of the Under-14s. Gary Hearne, Andrew Corbett and Adam Roche are also on the staff for the youngsters. They open their league campaign at home to CK United on Sunday (the 22nd) at 2pm and will also face Bray Wanderers, Klub Kildare, Shamrock Rovers and Wexford in their initial group stage.

 

 

The girls’ side of the academy continues to thrive and John MacLean will lead the Under-17s this year with the help of JP Byrne and popular former player Stevie Hall. The Blues begin the league season away to Wexford in Ferrycarig Park this Saturday at 2pm and will also face Bray Wanderers, CK United, Klub Kildare and Shamrock Rovers. 

The new Under-23s women’s team (replacing the U19s grade) will be managed by Brendan White with assistance from Davy Doyle. Waterford’s first game at this level is away to CK United at Killeshin FC on Sunday the 22nd of February at 3pm before a home clash with Cobh Ramblers the following week. The rest of their group in the new Development League is made up of Bray Wanderers, Cork City, DLR Waves, Kerry, St Patrick’s Athletic, Shamrock Rovers, Treaty United and Wexford. The extended age limit will allow closer connection with the club’s first team - the majority of whom are eligible for this age grade when needed. 

 

 

All academy teams will also have the support of goalkeeping coaches Mark Mason, Stefan McCurley and Simon Burns along with Head of Goalkeeping Brian Murphy. Another former Ireland international, Daryl Murphy, acts as a specialist coach while Conor Kutay and James Casey are designated as support coaches. There’s also the Strength and Conditioning team of Pat Walsh, Cameron Gordon and Dylan Kincade plus Head of S&C Jack Cheevers and the medical staff of Vanessa McLoughlin, Ava Murphy and Aidan Power.  

The busy schedule at the SETU Arena campus will also see the Pre-Academy continuing to operate for two sets of boys teams for players born in 2014 and ’15. This year also brings the introduction of a Pre-Academy for girls too as Waterford FC’s commitment to developing young talent from the region continues to grow.