Status Update - Adam Queally

It’s good to hear that promising centre back Adam Queally, 19, is on the way back from a nasty injury that ruined the plan for him to spend this season playing First Division football for Wexford. He’s had a tough time with a groin issue, but is recovering well and making excellent progress so hopefully we’ll see him back in a Blues shirt before too long.

A local lad, Adam joined from Southend United in 2019 and has come through every age grade from Under 13s to 14s, 15s, 17s, 20s and into the first team. His competitive debut for the first team came as a 16-year-old in January 2023 in a Munster Senior Cup clash with Midleton under Danny Searle’s management. The youngster started out of position at left back alongside Darragh Power, Giles Phillips and Kilian Cantwell in defence. Junior Quitirna, in his last game for Waterford, and Thomas Oluwa scored the goals.

Queally went on to make his league debut that June – a day before his 17th birthday – but this time with Keith Long in charge. That was in a 6-1 win against Finn Harps in the RSC with Connor Parsons and Ronan Coughlan scoring two goals each. Eddie Nolan added a fifth before Adam was brought on for Cantwell in the 82nd minute and Roland Idowu completed the rout in the dying minutes. His second league appearance came that September when he played seven minutes at the end of a 2-0 loss to Cobh Ramblers. 

 

(Queally celebrates scoring for Ireland Under 16s against Wales in October 2021)

 

Last season, the defender was in the first team squad at times, but without adding to his tally of appearances. He also captained the Under 20s and was in the starting eleven that won the Munster Senior Cup final against Kerry. Queally, who signed a long-term contract with Waterford in the summer of 2023, has also represented Ireland at Under 16s and 17s level. 

Tough-tackling and good on the ball, Adam went on a season-long loan to Wexford in December to get more senior game time under his belt. Keith Long said at the time that “it’s a good loan move for Adam. He needs first team football for his development. We feel, in order for him to progress his career, he needs to be challenged at a greater level than he currently is with the Under 20s.”

Announcing the move, Wexford described him as “one of the most promising young talents in Irish football.” He made two appearances in preseason including one competitive match – a 6-3 defeat to Bohemians in the Leinster Senior Cup when he replaced Robbie McCourt in the 63rd minute. 

 

However, his recovery from a groin injury didn’t go to plan and the two clubs agreed to cancel the loan deal. Adam’s time was being managed carefully as he recovered from what is not a run-of-the-mill injury and it was going well at first. Unfortunately, the problem struck again, leaving him in intense pain and ruling him out for the foreseeable future. 

He returned to the Blues in late February and is working every day to get back on the field. The good news is there’s been major improvements recently and he is finally back running. He’ll have to build up cautiously under the care of his specialist, but he has the best facilities and treatment here for his recovery. 

Hopefully, we’ll see Adam playing for the Under 20s in the coming months and staying involved with the first team. Don’t be surprised if we see him playing Premier Division football with the Blues soon.