Dean McMenamy named as Roy Butler Young player of the year
The Blues Supporters Club U-23 Player of the Year was Waterford FC's Dean McMenamy and he is pictured accepting the Roy Butler Memorial Trophy from Martin and Noel Butler, also included were Owen Power and Ray Malone from the BSC. Photo: Noel Browne
Waterford FC midfielder Dean McMenamy has expressed his delight after he was named as the Roy Butler Young player of the year award as voted by the Blues Supporters Club in a presentation that was made after Friday’s last home game that ended in 1-1 stalemate at the RSC.
Commenting on winning the award, Dean McMenamy said: “I obviously appreciate the support I got off the fans to get this award and look I’ve worked hard all year. It’s good to see the fans can see on the pitch. So I'm obviously over the moon with the award. So just looking forward to next year and hopefully try get it again.
“I think it was the first 10 games that I didn't even get a start, and then once I got any chance, I took it and didn’t look back. I just kicked on and kicked up gears. Hopefully you can see it. I think that I’ve showed the gaffer what qualities I have, and never looked back, and now got the rewards so I’m over the moon.
“It was a tough decision to come down here so young because I was never been outside of Dublin, and then come down here start last year just gone 20. It was a big ask, moving in, cooking for myself, and the rest that comes with that, but I’ve adapted well, and I've enjoyed every minute of it down here."
McMenamy added: “Obviously last season, getting out on the division, and this year, staying up, so I’m happy down here. We obviously have a young squad. Podge, Darragh Leahy and a couple of the other boys have been helping us out throughout the season. We’re a young, but promising squad. You saw this year that we started so well, but obviously, since the break, it went kind of downhill.
“The aim at the start of the year was to stay up so we’re very happy with season went. It was some strike from Sam tonight to get us the draw. We know the quality that he has, and we saw that up there. He loves a goal against Bohs.
“This was the last home game, and I know it was only a draw, but hopefully you can see it with the performance that we controlled it, had chances to win the game, but it was main focus was just to give fans something to cheer on. I think we did that.”
