Having come so close last season, Waterford FC renew their challenge for promotion to the Premier Division this evening as the new League Of Ireland season kicks off.
"Away the first game, just trying to make sure we have the right attitude going into it," said Blues defender Killian Cantwell following their loss to St. Pats last weekend in a pre-season friendly. He added, "we're speaking about it the last few weeks and we want a good start. We want to be there up at the top of the table and try to keep that momentum going".
That may well be the key to gaining automatic promotion this year. In 2022, with Ian Morris at the helm at the start of the season, the result did not go the way fans would have wanted and after 10 games, a fifth-place standing left the team chasing a target that was suddenly far away in the distance.
Speaking on the mood around the club and fan base, Cantwell said, "the way things are going now - on and off the pitch - it's exciting for everyone I think, speaking for fans as well. I think this is a really good team and just excited to get going."
It is indeed an all-new Blues team for 2023. There has been a lot of change in the playing ranks with ten newcomers while nine have taken their leave of duties at the club.
Up Front
Two of the biggest losses are undoubtedly Pheonix Patterson and Junior Quitirna. The two fan favorites are now both in England and while Patterson will remain with Fleetwood, there is still hope that Quitirna could once again wear the Blues shirt once his visa issues have been resolved. He has been signed by Fleetwood and was immediately sent out on loan to Altrincham.
New signing Ronan Coughlan will have big boots to fill in 2023 if he is to match last year's First Division Players of the Season.
Among the other new signings are Thomas Oluwa, Dean McMenamy, Connor Parsons, Matthew Connor, Giles Philipps, Barry Baggley, Christopher Conn-Clarke, Ryan Burke and Charles Ondo.
If the loss of last year's strike partnership has an impact on the goal-scoring threat of Danny Searle's side, the same is to be expected between the sticks. Veteran shot-stopper Brian Murphy retired from the sport in recent weeks and now will be focussing on developing future goalkeepers within the club's academy. He also has a role as one of the first-team coaches. If Coughlan has a task ahead of him to fill Patterson's boots then it's a similar situation with Paul Martin and Matthew Connor between the sticks.
At The Back
Martin was excellent last year when Murphy was unavailable and it will be interesting to see how he and Connor battle it out for the starting jersey this season.
The expected goal for the season can only be promotion, and ideally at the first time of asking without the stress of play-offs.
While plenty of fresh faces are now set to represent Waterford, many have left for different pastures. Patterson and Murphy are fully done, while there is still some hope of a return for Quitirna. Aside from those three, the other players who have left for other opportunities are Richard Taylor, Yassine En-Neyah, Callum Stringer, Timi Sobowale, Raul Uche and Jeremie Milambo.
Prior to the first whistles being blown in the four games this season, it's already been marked down as a three-horse race between Galway, Finn Harps and Waterford. While many have pipped the Blues as outright favorites, Cantwell is not so sure expectations matter all that much as performances will decide the true bragging rights.
"The favorite tag? I don't think we read into that at all. To be honest, it's whatever team works the hardest and at the moment we're working really hard. We are going to continue to that, so hopefully, we can come out on top."
Kick-off this evening in Ferrycarrig Park is at 7.45 pm and WLR will be bringing you live commentary thanks to McConnell's Toyota Waterford from 7.30 pm.
