Waterford FC appoint Gary Hunt to lead women's team into senior football

"I’m really looking forward to getting started with the group, and taking Waterford into a new era," said Hunt.

IN THE HUNT: Gary Hunt named first-ever Head Coach of Waterford Women’s FC. Pic credit: Waterford FC.

Ex-Cobh Ramblers manager Gary Hunt will lead Waterford FC into their first-ever season in the senior women’s league.

The Blues entered the U17 league in 2021 and advertised for a full-time boss once they applied and were accepted for the senior division. Their first game is a Munster derby against Treaty United at Market’s Field on March 8.

Hunt returns to the RSC following a sole season in charge of Cobh’s men’s side, finishing eight in 2024.

He was first involved with Waterford in 2019 as head of youth development, overseeing the U13, U15,U17 & U19 men’s sides.

Hunt managed the U19 team to League glory that year, defeating Galway United in the final to be crowned champions.

Hunt and David Breen were briefly caretaker senior co-managers before he remained on the backroom staff, most recently under current manager Keith Long in 2023.

“I’m delighted to be back,” he said.

“An opportunity came up over the last few weeks, and it's something that I wasn't hesitant at all about taking. 

"I'm really looking forward now to getting started with the group to be taking Waterford into a new era.”

 

Waterford have endured ownership instability over recent years, with the club changing hands three times. 

They have been for the last 18 months part of the Fleetwood Town multi-club operation.

“Maybe it wasn’t something he Gary had anticipated doing but knowing the city, knowing the club, people knowing Gary, it just seemed a perfect fit when we spoke around getting somebody to grow something new within the organisation,” said group CEO Steve Curwood.

Waterford will rely on their existing underage graduates but have already begun talks with several established players in the league, particularly based in the Munster region. Recruits will soon be announced.

Hunt added: “Last year our U17’s finished second in the country so we have to reward those young players with opportunities but we also want to look at maybe some of the best players around playing in the league that within the region that might be able to help those young players.

“We’re going to fight to try and get some players in that will give us an opportunity to compete with some teams in the league.

"Are we going to be successful in terms of the top of the league? Possibly not in year one, but what we want to be is we want to be competitive.

"We want to compete against teams, and hopefully we can bring some players in that help those young players to grow and in time, I think with the backing of the club and the backing of people behind us, this is going to build on to be something special.”