'We got battered' - Waterford boss awaits Long signing after Dundalk mauling

Dundalk ran out 5-0 winners on Friday night.

Sat, 14 Mar, 2026 - 11:05

John Fallon

Jon Daly says bottom side Waterford will benefit from the experience of recruit Kevin Long after admitting they got ‘battered’ in Friday’s 5-0 humbling at Dundalk.

As revealed by the Irish Examiner in January, 35-year-old Corkman, Long was interested in returning to the country he left as a Cork City player 16 years ago.

He won 17 Ireland caps between 2017 and 2020 and is a free agent after being released by his last club, MLS outfit Toronto.

Long made 50 appearances in the Major League Soccer but hasn’t played since September when a hamstring injury curtailed his season. He wasn’t retained for the 2026 season.

Derry City and Shelbourne mulled over the centre-back’s availability last month but it appears he’ll remain within his native Munster to aid the Blues’ survival bid.

“Kevin is on our radar, especially with John Mahon out injured,” Daly “We’d be hopeful of getting that done. He’s not played since September so would need to get up to speed.

“He’s just done his own training rather than team training, so it will likely take him a week or so to be ready.”

Waterford remain the only Premier Division side without a win. Newly promoted Dundalk ended their wait after six games in emphatic fashion at Oriel Park, although the result was overshadowed by a season-ending injury for goalkeeper Conor Kearns. He left the pitch in an ambulance after dislocating his knee.

Waterford travel to Galway, where Daly was assistant last season, before hosting in-form St Patrick’s Athletic at the RSC on Friday.

“That was embarrassing and we as a group need to have a serious look at ourselves,” said former St Pat’s and Dundalk manager Daly after keeping his players in the dressing room for 30 minutes.

“We didn’t show any bravery in possession. We got exactly what we deserved - which was battered.

“There were too many people that weren’t looking to get on the ball. They were happy for Stevie (McMullan – goalkeeper) to kick forward, rather than receiving the ball and make things happen.”

“There were certain things happening in the game where a little bit of communication can help but we don’t.

“In the first half, there was a ball going forward to Ronan Mansfield and all that was needed was to tell him to allow the ball to run through to a teammate. We’re shouting from the sideline but ultimately the people closer to him need to tell him. Dundalk cleared and went on the attack.

“When you’ve footballers like Dean McMemamy and Conan Noonan in the centre, you have to get the ball to them.

“We need to have three in the midfield of the pitch because we don’t have that type of defensive midfielder. Sam Glenfield is the one who can do that but he’s been in and out of the squad due to injury. Luke Heeney having to fill in at right-back isn’t ideal.”

Experienced duo Pádraig Amond and Evan McLaughlin are likely to return at Eamonn Deacy Park after brief substitute cameos in Co Louth.

“We need to find that formula to get us points and need to find it quickly,” confessed Daly after their defeat on the trot.

“Monday will be about getting our best players on the pitch. We’ll have to defend our box but will need to play, work our way up the pitch through bravery to look like we’d scored.

“Against Dundalk, we could have played until Christmas and wouldn’t have scored.”