Waterford address goalkeeper shortage, and could swoop for former Cork custodian

Brad Wade was a key part of Cork City winning last year's First Division title but could not agree a new deal to keep him on board for the Premier Division campaign.

Tue, 07 Jan, 2025 - 20:03

John Fallon

Waterford have recruited Stephen McMullan from Fleetwood Town – but could add another goalkeeper in former Cork City stopper Brad Wade.

City’s charge to last year’s First Division crown was helped by Wade’s sturdiness between the sticks, recognised by his peers in being voted onto the PFAI Team of the Year having kept 21 clean sheets last term.

However, the 24-year-old’s stay on Leeside was restricted to a solitary season as he couldn’t agree terms on a contract extension for the 2025 Premier Division season kicking off against Galway United on February 14.

“We offered Brad something that he wasn’t happy with,” explained City boss Tim Clancy last month. “He wanted more and then it just became a decision to make.

“Sometimes you have a value and players have their value. Sometimes they don’t align and that is just what football is.

“Brad was brilliant for us last year. He came in and made some fantastic saves, some really highlight reel saves and kept a lot of clean sheets.

“That also ties into the defence we have as well but football moves along very quickly,”

Clancy soon recruited two stoppers for the campaign ahead; the loan capture of Tein Troost from Eredivisie side NAC Breda and free agent Conor Brann.

Wade (24) hasn’t yet sourced a new club but it's understood he could be returning to the Munster region but in the colours of City’s rivals Waterford.

Brian Murphy is Keith Long’s goalkeeping coach at the RSC and they are keen to bolster their depth with a view to improving on last year’s seventh place finish on their top-flight return.

Having parted ways with their No 1, Sam Sargeant, the Blues only had Ireland underage custodian Jason Healy registered until this week.

Northern Ireland U21 stopper McMullan has become the latest player to move between sister clubs Fleetwood and Waterford, joining on a loan deal from the club where former Rebel David Harrington has established himself as first-choice between the posts.

Former St Patrick’s Athletic striker Tommy Lonergan, headhunted by Fleetwood after scoring in the 2023 FAI Cup final, has also been loaned to the Blues this week.

McMullan (20) spent the last six months on loan at Welsh Premier Division side Caernarfon Town FC, four of his 20 appearances coming in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.