Waterford announce six re-signings for 2018 Premier Division campaign

Waterford have confirmed that Patrick McClean, Matthew Connor, John Martin, Sander Puri, Dean O’Halloran and Derek Daly have all signed on for the 2018 season.

With the exciting prospect of Premier Division football awaiting The Blues next season, director of football Pat Fenlon and first team coach Alan Reynolds have acted quickly to tie down their stars of the 2017 First Division title triumph. 

Having arrived at the RSC during the off-season last year, Patrick McClean has decided to extend his stay on the south-east coast having established himself as a permanent fixture of the starting XI.

Speaking on his renewal, the Derry native has spoken on his delight to represent hte Blues in the Premier Division next season.

He said: “I am delighted to have re-signed with Waterford FC ahead of the new campaign. The club has been good to me on and off the pitch this year and I look forward to repaying that goodwill in 2018.

“I am looking forward to testing myself against the best there is in Ireland and show that I belong at the top level. Hopefully as a group of lads we can do well and push Waterford FC onto the next level.”

Having made 20 appearances on route to Waterford’s triumph last season, goalkeeper Matthew Connor has been confirmed for the 2018 season.

Connor, who put in some assured displays as Waterford’s netminder last season, has said that he is ready to have a go at Premier Division football in the 2018 season in waiting.

“I’m delighted to have signed for the club for the 2018 season. After winning the First Division last season, I want to be involved in the Premier division and have a crack at it. I had a great year in 2017 so I’ll be hoping to build on that and enjoy another successful season.”

The next man to be confirmed as a Blues man for 2018 is the ultra-impressive John Martin who has won plenty of plaudits following a stellar year at the heart of the midfield.

The WIT youngster has spoken of his excitement ahead of the return of Premier Division football to the RSC and how much of a help the 2017 season was for him personally.

“The club is still on a high from last season and it’s great to be able to look forward to Premier Division football in 2018. I’m really looking forward to pre-season and it will be good to get going again.

“There will be a few new faces as well, so I’m looking forward to getting to know them. I was delighted about how last season went for me personally. The hat-trick in Athlone was a real highlight for me. That really got me going and gave me the confidence to push on and play for the first team more regularly.”

Sander Puri, the Estonian International, has been confirmed via the club’s website as the next man to sign on for the 2018 campaign.

Having struggled with injury for most of the league title triumph at the RSC, Puri has said that he is keen to repay the faith of the club in him and is looking forward to playing in front of a buoyant Waterford FC support.

“I’m pleased to have re-signed with Waterford FC for the new season. I had a bad injury this year and I couldn’t help the club as much as I would have liked because of that but hopefully in 2018 I can make a bigger contribution.

“Waterford is a good club with great supporters; it was an easy decision to sign again and play Premier Division football next year.”

Dean O’Halloran has also committed to Waterford in 2018 after signing a new deal with the club. The Waterford native is looking forward to the new campaign in waiting and knows there will be a significant step-up in the standard of play from the First Division.

“It’s a big step up for the club but it’s a challenge that we’ll be all relishing and we’ll see where 2018 takes us. It was great to see the crowds return to the RSC last season especially the young kids and I’ve no doubt that we’ll see even bigger attendances next season.

“We’ll all have to have to work really hard in the Premier Division because there are no hiding places. I got the chance to taste it with Bohemians when I came back from Fulham and I know that it is a big step up from the First Division, so we know that we need to improve but we’re all looking forward to getting started.”

After a very busy day of transfer activity at the RSC, the last contract extension to be confirmed was the deal which ensures that Derek Daly will be a Blues player next season.

The former Chesterfield player, who made his arrival to the South-East on Deadline Day in February prior to the start of the 2017 season, has spoken of his delight to sign up for the new campaign in waiting, and is looking towards a high-finish for the Premier Division’s new boys.

“I am delighted to re-sign for the club for next season. I believe the club has great aspirations for the future and I have no doubt that we will have another successful year in 2018. I am looking forward to the challenge of proving ourselves in the Premier Division and hope that we can compete at the top end of the table.”