Shane Ronayne to take over as Waterford football manager

Shane Ronayne is the new manager of the Waterford senior football team.

The Mitchelstown man has enjoyed All Ireland glory with the Tipperary and Mourneabbey ladies and takes over from Benji Whelan on a two-year term.

Ronayne stepped down as Tipperary senior ladies football manager last month after a successful four years during which the Premier twice won the All-Ireland intermediate title and achieved successive promotions from Division 3 to the top flight.

He has also helped Cork club giants Mourneabbey to county, Munster and All-Ireland titles.

Before getting involved with Tipperary, the Cahir secondary school teacher, whose father is from Waterford, was a Cork ladies football selector.

Ronayne was approved by the Waterford County Board executive at a meeting on Monday night after Benji Whelan stood down in November.

The Deise footballers have only won one championship game in the past nine seasons; a first-round qualifier against Wexford in 2018.

Waterford will contest Division 4 South of the Allianz League whenever the competition commences against opponents Wexford, Carlow, and London (if public health restrictions allow).

Should Waterford fail to reach this year’s Munster SFC final, they will participate in the second-tier Tailteann Cup.