'I completely understand why Waterford turned down the offer' - Tommy Lonergan

Tommy Lonergan admitted it was nice to be wanted by Derry City this week, but the young striker showed exactly why the Candystripes came calling as he struck twice in Waterford's thrilling victory at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Friday last.

Just days after Waterford rejected a €180,000 bid from Derry for the in-form frontman, Lonergan delivered the perfect response on the pitch, scoring twice and laying on an assist as Graham Coughlan’s side continued their remarkable resurgence.

While pleased to be attracting interest, the 22-year-old insisted he is happy where he is and fully focused on helping Waterford's revival.

"Obviously, it's nice to have people wanting you, but I completely understand why Waterford turned it down," he said.

"I'm very happy to be here as well. I feel like I'm in a really good spot right now at Waterford. The players and I, the boys in there are like my brothers and the gaffer's like a legend.

"I'm just really enjoying my football right now. I'm not really thinking about transfers or anything like that. I'm just playing my football, keeping my head down and seeing what happens."

Lonergan's contribution was central to a victory that lifted Waterford off the bottom of the Premier Division table and further underlined the progress made under Long in recent weeks.

"I thought we played brilliant. I felt we played very well up until the third goal, and then Derry kind of turned it on. They got two quick-fire goals, and it was looking a bit shaky.

"But I felt like the resilience we showed to stay in the game. Then I was very happy to find Jurgen on his own and slip him in, and then he sealed the game."

The former St Patrick's Athletic attacker believes Waterford are finally beginning to reap the rewards of the work being done since Long's arrival.

"That's kind of epitomised how we've been playing over the last four or five games under the gaffer," he said.

"We know exactly our identity. We know exactly what to do. I feel like we're starting to believe just how good we are and that we can beat any team in this league."

The result sparked jubilant scenes among the home support and Lonergan felt it was a reward for everyone connected with the club.

"I'm absolutely over the moon," he said. "I feel like the fans deserve this. The club deserves this. The players deserve this. Definitely, the manager and the backroom staff deserve this.

"It's something to build on. You can just feel a great feeling and motivation in the club right now. The feelings are very good, and the vibes are very good in the club."

Lonergan also paid tribute to strike partner Padraig Amond after the veteran found the net alongside him.

"Podge and I chatted before the game, and I felt maybe the last few games we hadn't been playing that close to each other.

"Tonight we were very close to each other and linking up a lot. I thought Podge was absolutely excellent. He got his goal, and I'm absolutely buzzing for him.

"He's the most ruthless player I've ever played with. The hunger he has at his age is just a credit to himself, and it's an absolute pleasure playing alongside him."

The youngster revealed Amond's influence has been instrumental in his own development since arriving at the club.

"I've been learning from him since I came into the building. Since I came here last year, I feel like I've grown into more of a man. More confident, more self-belief. I feel like I'm an all-round pretty good player now, and a lot of that's probably down to Podge.

"Just the way he carries himself, how he trains every day. He's ruthless. So I'm always trying to pick things up from him."

The recent upturn in form has transformed the atmosphere around the club, and Lonergan believes supporters are now seeing a very different Waterford side.

"There's a new buzz around the club right now. The players we've brought in, the defenders, the midfielders, everyone's playing together so well. Everyone's clicking.

"It's a really good club to be at right now and I'm relishing it. I think if you ask any player in the team, they're really enjoying their football."

After climbing off the foot of the table, Lonergan insists Waterford have no intention of easing up. "It's momentum. The last few games we've been very good and I feel like we've given the fans a lot to cheer about.

"To see us off the bottom of the table is great, but we just want to keep pushing, keep the momentum going and see how far we can go."

With a run of important home fixtures on the horizon, the striker called on supporters to help make the RSC a difficult venue for visiting teams.

"I feel like the home games will be absolutely massive for us. If the fans can get out there in their numbers and create a massive atmosphere, the RSC will be an absolute fortress for us.

"We'll give them something to cheer about, and I feel like the Waterford people are seeing now is a completely different contrast to the start of the season.

“I thought Conan Noonan was absolutely unbelievable tonight. His work on the second balls and his runs beyond me and Podge were brilliant.

"And Stevie McMullan made an unbelievable save at the start of the game. He's not talked about half enough. I think he's one of the best keepers in the league by an absolute mile right now.

"I know people look at where we are in the league, but I feel we're very underrated. We're definitely a team to watch over the next few months."