Blues likely to continue in First Division

What will become of Waterford United next season? After falling at the final hurdle against Dundalk in the playoff by an aggregate score of four goals to two, United manager Paul O'Brien and chairman John O'Sullivan spoke about what lies ahead for the Suirsiders.

“I believed at the start of the season that we could get up to the Premier Division – we didn't. Now, we have to sit down as a board and think about how to re-structure the club in order to better it. It's a lot of hard work, it's frustrating and it's even hard to talk about because you could get yourself in bother but we love football, that's why we do this. At times, you feel like walking away but none of us want to do that and we'll drive this club on,” O'Sullivan told Beat102103 radio station in Waterford.

On a slightly more positive note for fans, O'Sullivan assured the fans that United are going nowhere. “There will be a club there next season. There's no question about that, in some way anyway.”

Despite having a fantastic side and most likely being favourites for the First Division title next year, one can never be sure of maintaining the same squad for the following year. Paul O'Brien reiterated that.

“It's early days yet. I mean, you don't know who's going to be available but if the young players do move on, you wish them all the best and hope they push on to a higher level.”

Many supporters around the league have openly questioned the playoff system, and those questions were once again echoed by the Waterford boss.

“If you look at our achievements, it's hard to take. We finished second, had a seventeen game unbeaten run and had three players in the PFAI Team of the Year, but that's life. Maybe the powers that be might look at it and change the system, but all we can do is wait and see.”

For chairman John O'Sullivan, the playoff system has a massive fault.

“A team who can win four games all season and still survive? Something needs to be looked at there.”

Waterford United's emphasis on youth shone through this season, and the manager paid tribute to the work put in by some of the younger players.

“Dylan Mernagh – a lad that played down in Wexford, is going to be a top player. He has a great attitude and it says a lot for the younger players we have. Conor Coad too – what a player he is going to be. Aidan McGrath, Jack Doherty; whatever they do, they'll have a great future wherever they go.”

The licensing process always raises a few questions every year and despite a lack of transparency at times, O'Sullivan is sure his club will get a Premier Division license. On a concluding note, he jokingly suggests anything is possible given the licensing criteria and the unfortunate trend in Airtricity League clubs' finances.

“We should get a Premier Division license – I see no reason why we wouldn't. I'd hate to see any club go out, but I would be happy if one does drop out", he joked.

[With thanks to Martin Clancy, Beat 102103]