Sean Hearne named Waterford Sports Award September winner
Sean Hearne receives the Waterford Sports Award from Neil Gough WLR and Michaek Skehan of the Granville Hotel.
Southend captain Sean Hearne has been named the latest winner of the WLR Granville Waterford Sport Award after leading his side to a remarkable league and cup double.
Hearne captained a young Southend team that secured promotion back to the Premier Division following an unbeaten league campaign.
The Waterford side recorded 14 wins and three draws from their opening 17 league fixtures, securing the league title with one game still remaining.
Southend also lifted the local cup to complete an impressive double and cap off a memorable season for the club.
For Hearne, the success is particularly significant, having experienced relegation from the Premier Division with Southend four years ago.
Now aged 22, he is among a group of six players who were part of the club's Under-18 setup during that difficult period.
Four years on, those same players have helped guide Southend back to the top flight, with Hearne leading the team as captain.
The achievement is made even more impressive by the age profile of the squad, with no player older than 22.
The team has been assembled from three different Southend Under-18 squads, bringing together players aged between 18 and 22.
Every member of the current squad has progressed through the club's underage structures, having developed at Southend before making the transition into men's football.
Their success highlights the strength of the club's youth development system and the progress made by a group of players who have grown up playing together.
Having experienced the disappointment of relegation earlier in his career, Hearne has now helped deliver two trophies and a return to Premier Division football.
The WLR Granville Waterford Sport Award recognises his contribution as captain and his role in guiding one of Waterford football's youngest squads through an outstanding season.
With the league and cup double secured, Hearne and his Southend teammates can now look forward to testing themselves in the Premier Division next season.
