Waterford FC have continued to strengthen their squad for next season with the addition of striker Conor Carty who has been signed from St Patrick’s Athletic for an undisclosed fee.

The 23 year-old, who has signed a long term contract with the Blues, grew up playing for local schoolboys clubs Kilcullen AFC, Newbridge Town FC & St. Francis, before earning a move to join the academy at current English Premier League side, Wolves.

He spent five years with The Wanderers, before departing Molineux to join Bolton Wanderers, where he scored on his first-team debut coming on as a second-half substitute against Tranmere Rovers in the EFL Trophy. Shortly after, Carty spent brief periods on loan at both Oldham Athletic & Gateshead prior to his first of two spells at St. Patrick’s Athletic where he spent the 2023 season on loan at Richmond Park, working under the guidance of Jon Daly.

Carty made a lasting impact in Inchicore in 2023, featuring 39 times across all competitions including a spot in the starting line-up for the Saints’ FAI Cup win over Bohemians at the Aviva Stadium, a game that saw fellow Blue Tommy Lonergan score St. Pats’ third goal.

He returned to the UK for 2024, lining out for Doncaster Rovers in League Two. However, due to an ACL injury just one month into the loan forced the loan to be cut short as he remained out for the remainder of 2024.

The forward made the permanent move back to St. Patrick’s Athletic from Bolton ahead of the 2025 League of Ireland season, where he made 37 appearances for the Saints during the last campaign. He found the back of the net in each competition he lined out in during 2025, including a penalty kick away to Turkish giants Besiktas during St Pats’ UEFA Conference League Qualifying campaign. Carty also found the back of the net at the RSC in July, firing home Pats’ second as they defeated Waterford 2-0.

Carty’s impressive CV spans across not only his club career but international career too, with international caps at U16, U17 U18 & U21 level for the Republic of Ireland, as he now looks to use that experience at the RSC in 2026.

Speaking to the club after signing his deal with the Blues, Carty spoke of his praise at getting the chance to work under Jon Daly once more, saying:

 “I’m really happy to be here at the club & delighted to get the deal done. I’m looking forward to working with Jon Daly again too.

I wanted to get the deal done as soon as I heard Waterford came in, so I’m looking forward to that and hoping to have a successful season with the club next season. I’m very keen to get playing in front of the Blues fans now in 2026.”

Waterford FC Head Coach Jon Daly gave an insight as to the type of forward Carty is that Blues fans can expect to see in 2026:

“I’m really pleased to bring Conor Carty to this football club. Conor is a player I’ve worked with in the past and is someone I believe will add a different dimension to our front line. Conor is a dynamic forward who works tirelessly for the team and has real quality in the final third.

He fits the profile of player we want to bring to the club — hungry, hardworking, and ambitious. I’m excited to welcome him in and look forward to seeing the impact he’ll make.”