Colin Healy under consideration for Waterford job as Blues head to Cork City
BACK IN THE DUGOUT?: It's understood Colin Healy is under consideration for the permanent Waterford job. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile.
Waterford say Matt Lawlor’s caretaker managerial stint, starting on Monday at Cork City, will cover the coming weeks but it's understood Colin Healy is under consideration for the permanent job.
Owners Fleetwood Group sacked Keith Long within hours of Friday’s 4-0 humbling at home to Sligo Rovers, their sixth straight defeat.
Lawlor was previously Long’s assistant for seven months before returning to Fleetwood in November. He became interim boss for the St Stephen’s Day game against Chesterfield between the reigns of Charlie Adam and current manager Pete Wild and his involvement is expected to be similar at the RSC.
Healy managed his hometown club of Cork City for two full seasons in the First Division but resigned in May 2023 following a slow start to their Premier return. Thereafter, he worked as assistant to Ireland women’s manager Eileen Gleeson for the Nations League and Euro qualification campaigns but his departure remains contentious.
He rejected the vacancy at Cobh Ramblers last November due to what he claims was a promise of contract renewal. He was also offered a role at another First Division club, Kerry FC, before the FAI chose to release Gleeson and Healy from their roles.
Waterford are prepared to apply a degree of patience to their search and that may coincide with the availability of Alan Reynolds. The position of their former manager and assistant at Bohemians remained under scrutiny despite Friday’s late win over Cork City. They face two title contenders, Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic, over the next five days.
“There were aspects of our performance that I was pleased with but overall it wasn’t where it needed to be,” said Reynolds about Friday’s victory, secured by substitute James McManus.
“We know we won’t get away with that against a team as good as Shamrock Rovers. so our standards have to be higher.” His Rovers counterpart Stephen Bradley also reflected on a late goal but it was equaliser St Patrick’s Athletic captain Joe Redmond plundered to deny his side a 2-1 win on Friday.
“Our team and players are in a really good place and we just need to stay focussed,” he asserted.
“Bohemians are a dangerous team. They beat us on the opening day of the league and, after a difficult spell, have won two of their last three and only lost out to a solitary late goal to Shelbourne last week. As always, this will be a difficult game for us.”
All LOI teams are in action on Easter Monday, bar Derry City and Sligo Rovers who meet on Tuesday night.
Sligo’s stroll in the south-east allowed them move off the foot of the table at the expense of Cork City. In turn, City can leapfrog eight-placed Waterford if they end their eight-match winless streak in the Munster derby (5pm).
Greg Bolger is in line to harness midfield, having returned from injury with a cameo off the bench at Dalymount Park.
The top two, Drogheda United and St Pat’s, meet in Co Louth. Shelbourne earned a 2-2 draw at Drogs and welcome John Caulfield’s Galway United, wounded from a 3-2 home loss to Derry City.
Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians, Tallaght Stadium (2pm)
Cork City v Waterford, Turner’s Cross
Drogheda United v St Patrick’s Athletic, Sullivan and Lambe Park
Shelbourne v Galway United, Tolka Park.
Athlone Town v Longford Town, Athlone Town Stadium
Bray Wanderers v UCD, Carlisle Grounds
Dundalk v Finn Harps, Oriel Park
Kerry v Cobh Ramblers, Mounthawk Park
Wexford FC v Treaty United, Ferrycarrig Park.
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