Lonergan eager to take Waterford form onto international stage

The Waterford striker is the Premier Division’s top scorer with 14 goals but has yet to score in six appearances for Jim Crawford’s Ireland under-21 side.

Tommy Lonergan during a Republic of Ireland U21 training session. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

TOMMY Lonergan admits there is no better time to break his Ireland under-21 goal duck than in tonight’s must-win European Championship qualifier in Slovakia.

The Waterford striker is the Premier Division’s top scorer with 14 goals but has yet to score in six appearances for Jim Crawford’s side.

Crawford knows Ireland must take three points against experienced opponents in Kosice after the 1-0 win in Kazakhstan in March kept alive their hopes of finishing as Group D runners-up (5pm Irish time, live on LOI TV).

Given Lonergan’s form, he could be the answer to Ireland’s prayers, with Crawford saying the 22-year-old arrived in camp “with a glow on him”. The player himself believes his confidence levels have never been higher.

"It’s just self-belief," Lonergan said. “Even when I wasn’t playing as much at Waterford, I still had the belief that I was going to play, that I was going to get back in the team and it happened.

"I’m having a really good season and really want to help. I haven’t scored a goal yet for the 21s, so I’ll be dying to do that. I probably haven’t played much either, but there have been a couple of chances that I’d want back. You can’t dwell on the past, it’s all about the next game.

"Hopefully when I get the chance I’ll score. It could be some of our last games for the 21s if we don’t qualify. Some of the '04s and '05s will be giving their all and, please God, we’ll go back to Ireland with something to play for.” 

Crawford will name his team later today. Owen Mason has returned to Bromley with a shoulder injury, while Naz Raji is out after rolling his ankle but could return for Tuesday’s clash with Kazakhstan at Turner’s Cross.

Among the younger cohort Crawford will look to are Rory Finneran, Jacob Devaney and Trent Kone-Doherty, who are all enjoying regular first-team football.

Newcastle's Finneran is on loan at Notts County, Manchester United's Devaney is at Hibs, while former Liverpool starlet Kone-Doherty is banging in goals with Molde.

Lonergan is also excited by the talent emerging, singling out Kone-Doherty, Adam Brennan and Jamie Mullins. As for the ultimate goal, he wants to emulate Brennan, James Abankwah and Jaden Umeh and reach the senior Ireland ranks.

“I’m the closest one to maybe James Abankwah," said the Dunboyne man. "We played underage together for a few years, so to see him make the step up to the first team, I’m very proud of him.

“He’s been a credit to himself. I’ve seen the hard work he’s put in. I can just do the same and hope for the best. That would be a very proud moment for myself.” 

Lonergan had a spell with Fleetwood before joining Waterford and, with his goals helping lift Graham Coughlan's Blues from the bottom of the Premier Division, he will be a transfer target at the end of the season. 

Derry City had a club record bid rejected in July.

"Football is a mad game, but I'm a Waterford player right now," he said. "I'm really happy at the club.

"We'll just see what happens. I feel like Graham's given me a really good platform to show what I can do and showcase my performances. Hopefully, I'm paying him back."