Season Preview 2017 - Waterford

Manager: Pat Fenlon

Stadium: RSC

Players in: Kenny Browne, Mark O'Sullivan, Dave Mulcahy, Matthew Connor (Cork City), Dean O'Halloran (Bohemians), Patrick McClean (Derry City), Gary Delaney (Wexford Youths), Gary Comerford, Shane O'Connor (Cobh Ramblers), Robin Dempsey (North End United), Jake Evans, Tom Smith (Swindon Town), Jack Lynch (Limerick U19), Derek Daly (Chesterfield), David McDaid (Cliftonville), Kenny McEvoy (South Normanton Ath), Sander Puri (Nomme Kalju) 

Conor Whittle (Wexford Youths), Kenny McEvoy (South Normanton Athletic), Sander Puri (Kalju Nomme), David McDaid (Cliftonville), Ian McLoughlin (Free Agent), Jake Evans, Tom Smith (Swindon Town – loan), Derek Daly (Chesterfield).

Players out: Cory Galvin (Cabinteely), Toyeeb Mustapha (Carrick Rangers), Sean Noble (Carrick Rangers).

Extratime.ie Key Man: Mark O'Sullivan

Barring a 3-0 Munster Senior Cup defeat to Wilton United, where the squad was made up on under-19 players, Waterford have had a successful pre-season with Pat Fenlon's decision to test the squad against Premier Division opposition clearly justified in the performances, if not the results. Central to this early season form has been Mark O'Sullivan, the winter acquisition from Cork City, who has scored all four of the side's goals against top-level opposition. The burly centre forward was out of favour by the end of his time on Leeside, but the former Avondale United man has a lot more to offer at this level and is a strong bet for the league's golden boot.

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Patrick McClean

The Derryman spent the Christmas period on trial with English League One side Wallsall but returned frustrated having failed to earn a contract. It's been a pattern of the versatile defender's career, having had a move to Bristol City fall through in the past and having struggled to nail down a place in the Derry City through injury and the settled look of Kenny Shiels' successful team. Now, the 20-year-old has been handed responsibility by Pat Fenlon, who has faith in the youngster's leadership potential, and early signs are very positive.

How they did last season:

League: 5^th

A disappointing league campaign saw Waterford in the bottom half of the table for most of the league campaign as crowds to dwindled to figures barely reaching triple-figures. Having taken over the club at a low ebb the previous season, and guiding the club above Cabinteely into seventh by season's end, manager Roddy Collins had visions of challenging at the top end of the table, however his plans failed to materialise and he was forced to make extensive use of the under-19 squad before being dismissed two games before the end of the season.

FAI Cup: Second Round

Waterford fell at the first hurdle after falling to a 2-0 home defeat to Premier Division Longford Town, with Lee Duffy and Philip Gannon scoring in the first half.

EA Sports Cup: Second Round

Waterford comfortable overcame Rockmount 4-0 in the first round before high-flying Cork City inflicted a 7-0 reverse on Collins' team in the following round.

What to expect this season:

Having been taken over by Swindon Town chairman and former Republic of Ireland under-21 international Lee Power, Waterford have emerged as a new club with a new name, dropping the 'United' suffix appended in the 1970s. Pat Fenlon has been brought in as director of football with former manager Alan Reynolds as his first team coach, and financial backing has been given to bring full-time football back to Waterford.

Fenlon has invested shrewdly with the recruitment of two members of Cork City's FAI Cup winning squad, Mark O'Sullivan and Kenny Browne, particularly standing out. Patrick McClean has arrived from Derry City and assumed the captain's armband in pre-season, Estonian international Sander Puri has arrived to occupy one wing while ex-Ireland under-21 international Kenny McEvoy will man the other.

Nothing less than immediate success will satisfy the new owner given the investment that has been made in the playing squad and the fact there is only one promotion spot up for grabs. And, like Limerick last season, Waterford will be the only fully professional club in the league who, regardless of the talent in their ranks, will be expected to outlast the opposition more often than not. With Longford Town the only realistic competition, Waterford will consider anything less than a title and promotion a failure in the circumstances.

Title Odds: 8/11 (favourites)

First game: Athlone Town (away), Friday February 24^th (kick-off 7.45pm).