Kiely wants Waterford to build on Sligo success

WATERFORD football manager John Kiely wants his side to build on Sunday’s NFL victory over Sligo.

Their Division 2B success was only their third in four seasons but Kiely, who guided the county to All-Ireland JFC titles, hopes it’s the first of many.

“They say what’s seldom is wonderful, and yes our victory over the westerners was wonderful. I was hoping we could win three games and finish in mid-table respectability. Now we have one of the three wins tucked away but we will be going flat out to try and win every other game. It’s all part of our build-up to the Munster championship first round against Kerry on May 21.

“We only won by a point but I honestly believe it would have been a more comfortable margin had we not lost Liam Ó Lionain through injury in the second half and hadn’t midfielder Karl O’Keeffe sent off ten minutes from the end.”

The week previously Kiely’s side suffered a crushing 22 points defeat by Westmeath.

“Believe it nor not we still missed six clear goal chances in that game despite playing so poorly,” said Kiely. “We return to the training ground tonight and over the next two and a half weeks it will be hard and thorough,” he continued.

Kiely hopes to persuade the talented Wayne Hennessy to return to the fold having decided to opt for hurling.

“I’m not asking him to quit the hurling panel, but I feel he has a huge contribution to make to the football squad. For the moment however players have restored a bit of pride to football in Waterford and have given themselves a timely and much needed lift.”