Blues snap up youth international Connor

Waterford United have confirmed the signing of Republic of Ireland youth international goalkeeper Matthew Connor. Connor joins Tommy Griffin's side from local junior outfit Tramore AFC.

In recent weeks, Connor has partaken in the club's pre-season preparations ahead of the forthcoming SSE Airtricity League First Division season making his bow last Wednesday night in a 1-1 friendly draw with Limerick at the RSC.

The promising young goalkeeper, who kept goal for the Republic of Ireland u-18's in their 3-0 friendly win over Wales at his former club's Gruan Park ground, will compete with Kevin Burns, a recent arrival from Cork City, for the Waterford number one jersey vacated by Craig Hyland who has departed for Shamrock Rovers.

The Tramore CBS student, recently called up to the Republic of Ireland u-17 squad by former Finn Harps midfielder Tom Mohan for their two games at home to Austria in the first week of March, becomes new RSC supremo Griffin's second new acquisition from Tramore following the arrival of Thomas Whitty and his twelfth new signing overall. Other notable new arrivals at the RSC include ex-Sheffield United starlet Shane Murray (Bohemians), Paddy Barrett (Dundee United) and highly rated young striker Kynan Rocks who signs from Cobh Ramblers.

Waterford have experienced a mixed pre-season campaign so far with heavy defeats to Shamrock Rovers, Drogheda United and Cork City in addition to Wednesday's draw with Limerick and a home meeting with Bohemians that was abandoned at half-time due to adverse weather conditions with the score standing at 1-1.

The Blues' next outing is a Munster Senior Cup quarter-final at home to Cork City on March 1 before they open their league campaign away to Finn Harps on March 7.