All about 'surpassing the average' for flying Blue Tommy Lonergan

Lonergan's up to 14 for the season to lead the league’s scoring charts, replete with the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland player of the month for July.

Tommy Lonergan of Waterford poses with his SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division Player of the Month award at the RSC. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Before Waterford recently vaulted out of the relegation zone, their marksman Tommy Lonergan began mastering the technique on a personal basis.

Last year’s maiden campaign on Suirside delivered a dozen goals for the 22-year-old as he formed a prolific partnership with veteran Pádraig Amond.

Still, the Ireland U21 striker felt an improvement in specific areas was essential.

Specialist training with a local chartered physiotherapist and sports scientist in his hometown of Dunboyne during the off-season helped address the gaps.

Being stronger, faster and especially agiler was the dividend and it’s shown in the diversity of goals, several finished with his head.

By mid-August he’s up to 14 for the season to lead the league’s scoring charts, replete with the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland player of the month for July.

Sunday’s 3-1 win over third-placed Bohemians lifted the Blues from the bottom two and there’s an FAI Cup quarter-final place on offer if they beat First Division Athlone Town on Friday at the RSC.

Good times.

“Gavin Smith worked on my sprinting and jumping,” he explained about his one-to-one workouts since the winter.

“The physicality of the Premier Division is off the charts – I was up against three defensive monsters for Galway last week – so it was about surpassing the average.

“I feel like I'm definitely quicker and more explosive than the average player in the league right now. That’s given me a big advantage over certain opponents.” 

The Blues have been transformed since the arrival of Graham Coughlan in May. From being marooned at the foot of the table with just six points from 14 games, they’ve strung together a sequence that amassed 18 points from nine matches.

Tough work demanded by the no-nonsense manager and tough love for the likes of Lonergan has marinated a potion to produce title-contending form.

Much of that can be traced back to the summer break in June. While most players were off holidaying, Coughlan summoned his charges for extra work at their SETU base on the Cork Road.

“We didn’t deserve a break, to be honest,” he surmises about the change of plan. “I was away on Ireland U21 international duty in Croatia but the boys didn't get a break, training all the way through it. A few boys might have been a little bit annoyed but it's what we needed to do.

“The intensity of training sessions have gone through the roof since the gaffer came in. Training is nearly as hard as games these days but very enjoyable, at the same time.” 

Coughlan and Waterford’s Fleetwood Town owners were determined to keep hold of their prize asset, despite Derry City lodging a record €180,000 bid for Lonergan.

“The club told me that I was an important part of their plan for the rest of the season and I completely understood that,” he said of the offer being rejected.

“I don't see myself going anywhere this season. Having had a brief spell at Fleetwood when younger, I’ve become more of a man by filling out and improving my movement. I don't let defenders get a hold of me anymore.”