Keegan Saw Positives in Pat’s Defeat
Former League of Ireland manager Shane Keegan believes there were plenty of positives in Graham Coughlan’s first game in charge of Waterford FC, despite a 4-1 defeat away to St Patrick’s Athletic in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.
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Coughlan, formerly of Bristol Rovers, was appointed Waterford boss last week after Jon Daly was dismissed following a winless start to the 2026 League of Ireland season, with the Blues failing to register a victory in their opening 14 matches.
Speaking on this week’s League of Ireland Lowdown podcast, Keegan—who previously managed Wexford, Galway United, Dundalk FC and Cobh Ramblers—highlighted encouraging signs in Waterford’s attacking performance at Richmond Park, while also welcoming a new managerial face into the domestic game.
“It’s interesting to have a new name in managerial terms. The League of Ireland can often be accused of being a managerial merry-go-round, so to see a fresh face is a good thing,” Keegan said.
“I watched the Pat’s game and it was strange in the sense that both teams were quite impressive.”
“That might sound strange about a Waterford team who were beaten 4-1, but I actually thought they played very well.”
Keegan singled out several standout performers in the Waterford side, including Tommy Lonergan and Noonan, and felt the visitors were unlucky not to make more of their attacking moments.
“I thought Tommy Lonergan was very good throughout, and Noonan was excellent in the game. There was a stage at 3-1 where they had a right good chance—it was an absolute sitter that would have got them back into it.”
“Considering the new manager only had a week on the training ground, there were definite signs of improvement there.”
Only Sligo Rovers have scored fewer goals than Waterford this season, but Keegan believes there were encouraging signs of a more attacking approach under Coughlan, which could be key in their upcoming League of Ireland fixtures.
“I think this team has goals in it,” he said. “I saw enough the other night to think the manager is really going after that side of the game.”
“Quite often you see a team down the bottom prioritise defending and making themselves hard to beat, but I think this manager realises that’s not going to be Waterford’s forte. I expect a very front-foot approach.”
Keegan Predicts Shock Waterford FC win against Derry City
Coughlan, who previously earned plaudits for keeping Boston United in the National League, will take charge of his first home game at the RSC Stadium on Friday when Waterford host Derry City.
Keegan believes that fixture could be pivotal in kickstarting a Waterford revival, with the Munster side currently ten points adrift at the bottom of the table.
“Derry’s confidence can’t be high. There can’t be positivity around them,” he said.
“They will still expect to go to Waterford and win, but I’m not sure they’re going to be capable of doing that.”
“I think we might see signs of that new manager bounce. Graham Coughlan could spark a performance out of Waterford, and I think they could beat Derry in a reasonably high-scoring game.”
