In Matt we trusted - Leadership from Lawlor key to survival

As the final whistle sounded Matt Lawlor embraced his assistant Mark Yeates as they had fulfilled their brief of coming back to the Blues and keeping them in Ireland’s top flight.

But as they soaked up the plaudits and cheers of the huge travelling support, the sense of relief was uppermost in their minds.

“Relief, yeah, none moreso than me,” was his immediate reaction after the game. “I think I lost my voice; I've probably had about four heart attacks in that game!

“Over the weeks, it's been tough. Obviously, I've had to put a face on it. We've had a positive period of time again together this time. But yeah, the relief is huge to retain our Premier Division status for a great city and a club like Waterford.” 

And has been Waterford’s wont, the victory was not easy with the Blues falling behind to an early goal again. However, Lawlor, ever the optimist was not worried about the early concession.

“Yeah, listen, to show our character, in my first six games here, we scored first," he mused. “And in the last three, we've conceded first, but we've actually always, in all nine of them games I've been managing, we've scored in every single game. 

"So, I knew we were going to score. I was really convinced we would score. So, it didn't fuss me that much, and I'm glad it didn't fuss the lads, because obviously that's the main important thing." 

And while the tough conditions and particularly a very poor playing surface, caused problems for both sides, Lawlor felt that his charges responded magnificently.

“All of them to a man were brilliant on a really difficult surface, really difficult conditions against a good team. To show character like that, listen, in my opinion, we could have had umpteen goals, if I'm honest. 

"We had a chance right at the start of the second half, we had a million in the first half, whether they were half chances, full chances. I think you saw the dominance of us, especially first half, and then the conditions took over a little bit. But I'm just glad we got the job done.” 

And there was a certain sense of pride in the Waterford equaliser when Conan Noonan fired home from close range after a corner routine that came straight from the training ground.

“Yeah, so we tried it. I don't know if you can remember in our first game [against Drogheda], and Conan just decided to not do it, basically. He did something completely different.” 

And he credits assistant Mark Yeates with the move: “So actually, Yeatesy came up with that. Yeatesy's massive on stuff like that. When he was working at Fleetwood, they did that in the FA Youth Cup about three years ago. 

"You saw his reaction when we scored it. I think he was pointing back at his chest. That was me, that was me. But the lads had to go and execute it. So yeah, definitely training ground stuff. And listen, we've worked tirelessly on the training ground since we've come over.” 

And while the hard work has been done, there has been a lot of sacrifice and for Lawlor, a lot of work remains for the Blues.

“My wife and my kid came over and they're my everything. Last week, they came over, but I haven't seen them other than that, which is a massive sacrifice. 

"And Yeatesy hasn't either. We've literally lived and breathed Waterford and trying to retain our status and do what we did tonight. Listen, I would have liked to have been done last week or the week before, but listen, I don't care that it was tonight. We've done it.” 

And Lawlor knows this is just the beginning. “Look at Drogheda last year. It's a platform to build on. What they need to do now as a club, just build brick by brick. We just need to brick by brick build. 

"Don't get too giddy. Don't go too high with the highs, too low with the lows. We just need to brick by brick build and use this as a platform to slowly become a Premier Division team for years to come.” 

As he departs his adopted second home, Lawlor has a sense of pride given the achievements of what has been a very difficult year for the Blues.

“Yeah, you have doubts, obviously, all the time as human beings, don't we? What can you do? And you get told different things. 

"Keith [Long] said some unbelievable words to me last year when I - he told me that, listen, I think you've got the makings of whatever, but I don't know until you get given a go. That's my 11th game as a manager now. And I think I've won seven, drew two, lost two. So, I've got loads of confidence to take from this place, from this time that I've had.

"And then obviously I'm just glad that I've done it for this club. I can't work without passion. Like it doesn't work for me. So, for me to have an attachment to this place, which I do, that's when I work at my best. I've got a passion for Fleetwood back home, like the local area for me, but I've got a huge passion for here as well.”