'I think that the Drogheda keeper was hard done by'
Waterford FC's Tommy Lonergan scores the controversial penalty in the game against Drogheda United.
Tommy Lonergan admitted Waterford had to dig deep before a dramatic late penalty finally secured their first win of the season, describing the decisive moment as both “nerve-wracking” and a turning point for the squad.
The forward kept his composure from the spot amid a lengthy delay and Drogheda's protests, focusing only on the task at hand.
“Obviously, it was very nerve-wracking. I just took a few deep breaths and tried to keep my mind off it. I made up where I was going to go… I was only thinking about scoring the goal. You have to always think positively.” Lonergan’s confidence was evident despite the pressure, and he revealed his mindset was already fixed before stepping up.
“I feel like if you leave any doubt that you’re going to miss… then it can go against you. I was just glad to hit the net. Obviously, it wasn’t my cleanest strike, but it went in.” There was even a lighter moment behind the tension as he admitted celebration had crossed his mind before he struck the ball.
“I just had it in my head that I was going to take my top off after I scored. Thankfully, the ball hit the net, and the top was off.”
While the late penalty ultimately proved decisive, Lonergan acknowledged Waterford may have benefited from a favourable call.
“I think the keeper has been hard done by there. But sometimes decisions go your way, and sometimes they don’t – the decision went our way this game. I’m not going to complain.” The victory, however, had been hard-earned long before that moment, with Waterford forced to weather significant early pressure.
“It was a very difficult game… the conditions were very tough to play in. Drogheda started really well in the first 15–20 minutes. They probably could have been two or three up.” Crucially, Waterford showed a resilience that had been missing in earlier fixtures.
“We just stayed in the game. Maybe we haven’t done that in the first games of the season. We probably would have let them go two or three up, but we kept it at one-nil.” Lonergan’s own goal just before the break proved a key moment in shifting the contest.
“I got the goal before half-time, and then the momentum shifted. It was a very scrappy game… not the nicest on the eye, but in the end, we got the penalty, and thankfully, it got us in.”
Beyond the immediate result, Lonergan pointed to a growing sense of belief both individually and collectively.
“I just feel like I’m hitting form now. I’ve got great belief in the management and the coaching staff. The gaffer is very demanding in a good way – he wants you to work hard.” That intensity, he believes, is now being reflected in the team’s performances. “I feel like the fans can see that we’re playing with more intensity. I think we’re very together now as a team. Everyone is just working hard for each other.”
The significance of finally getting a win on the board was not lost on him either. “Just to get this first win over the line is massive. That monkey on the back is off now, and I think we can go and win a few more games.”
He also paid tribute to the supporters, whose backing has remained strong despite a difficult run.
“It’s what the fans deserved over the last three games. The energy they’ve brought onto the pitch and some of the roars you get from the side just boost your energy.”
With confidence building and momentum beginning to shift, Lonergan is hopeful Waterford can now climb the table. “Hopefully, we can get lots of points on the board and start climbing up the league.”
