Blues confirm retained list ahead of 2026 season
New Waterford FC manager Jon Daly has begun assembling his squad ahead of the 2026 season. Photo: Noel Browne
After securing our Premier Division status for 2026, and following new Head Coach Jon Daly’s review of the squad, Waterford FC are excited to announce the following players have signed on for 2026.
Captain Pádraig Amond will head into his third season as a Blue, with strike-partner Tommy Lonergan under contract at the RSC in 2026 after Tommy made his loan move permanent at the club in July.
Sam Glenfield also heads into his third season with the club, with Matty Smith remaining a Blue after overcoming his long-term injury towards the end of the 2025 campaign. Dean McMenamy also remains on board for the 2026 season.
2026 will also see Trae Coyle, Finlay Armstrong, Muhammadu Faal, and Josh Miles head into their second season with the club, having joined in 2025.
Waterford FC Academy graduates Adam Coyne, Jesse Dempsey, Sean Keane & Ronan Mansfield will remain at the club for the upcoming campaign, having all played an important role in our 2025 season.
Pádraig Amond, Finlay Armstrong, Trae Coyle, Adam Coyne, Jesse Dempsey, Muhammadu Faal, Sam Glenfield, Sean Keane, Tommy Lonergan, Ronan Mansfield Josh Miles, Matty Smith, Dean McMenamy.
The Club remains in contract negotiations with players following the end of the 2025 season, with Jason Healy, Kyle White, and under-20 player Muhammad Oladiti remaining in discussions.
Jason Healy Kyle White Muhammad Oladiti.
The club have also confirmed the departures of Ryan Burke, Grant Horton, Darragh Leahy, Ben McCormack, James Olayinka, Adam Queally, Kacper Radkowski, Jordan Rossiter, and Brad Wade following the expiration of their contracts.
Waterford FC would like to thank all departing players for their efforts during their time at the club and wish them every success in the next chapter of their careers. The club have also confirmed that both Stephen McMullan and Conan Noonan have returned to Fleetwood Town and Shamrock Rovers respectively after their loan agreements expired.
Ryan Burke, Grant Horton, Darragh Leahy, Ben McCormack, James Olayinka, Adam Queally, Kacper Radkowski, Jordan Rossiter, Brad Wade.
Stephen McMullan Conan Noonan.
Following discussions with the players, Blues Head Coach Jon Daly is excited to refresh the squad ahead of the 2026 League of Ireland season, outlining his excitement, saying:
“One of the most difficult parts of being a manager is having to deliver bad news to players who have given their all for the club. On behalf of the backroom staff, I want to thank all the departing players for their efforts in retaining the club's Premier Division status last season and wish them all the very best as they move forward in their careers.
“I’m very excited about the prospect of building a squad that we feel can reflect the pride and passion of the wonderful Waterford FC fanbase. As a club, we are working tirelessly to bring in players we feel can help us progress and move forward in 2026.”
Meanwhile, the club have unveiled a new crest ahead of the new season, with Waterford FC Chairman Jamie Pilley delighted to launch the new crest as the head into an exciting time at Waterford Football Club, Commenting on the new crest, Pilley said: “At our very first fans forum as owners, one of the things highlighted by the fans was the desire to replace the Waterford FC crest – something we promised there and then we’d do.
“We wanted to ensure this wasn’t rushed and a proper process was in place to capture the history of the city and the opinion of the supporters. It’s taken almost a year of different designs, meetings and debates to get to this point, as well as the fan vote, which was incredibly important to us.
“There was one resounding winner in the vote, and we are delighted with how it looks. We look forward to a new era of Waterford FC with a crest we can all be proud of.”
