Blues - Waterford United FC Programme v Finn Harps Friday 25th April 2014 | Page 5

O’Connor Wins PlayerWhite &The Year
Of Adrian Flanagan
by Brendan
Last Friday night at the RSC Andrew O’Connor was
awarded the Blues Supporters Club U19 Player of
the Year for the 2013/14 season, presented at halftime during United’s 1-0 win over Shamrock Rovers
by Waterford FC legend, and guest of honour on the
night, Dixie Hale.

nature of the process. “What I think is great also is the
fact that this award wasn’t just decided by a panel of
judges, but that the players also had a say in the vote,
so it’s great that their opinion on who should be the
winner was to the fore of Andrew’s ultimate winning
of the award.”

After the squad was whittled down to a shortlist of four
for the voting, O’Connor beat off strong competition
from Patrick Fitzgerald, Mark Walsh and Johnny
St Ledger, following a combined vote of players,
local media representatives and the Blues U19
management team,
co-ordinated by
Adrian Flanagan
of the Waterford
News & Star. The
Emerald Crystal
award was funded
by the Blues
Supporters Club
Fantasy Football
Competition.

Likewise, Blues chairman John O’Sullivan was
appreciative of the efforts of all concerned, and
delighted with the success of the 19s’ season. “I’d like
to thank the players of the U19 squad for the fantastic
effort that they put in during the season as they were
a credit to the
club. They gave
it their all in the
league with some
excellent results
and it was great to
see a number of the
players stepping
up to the first team
squad.

“The amount of
The winning player
effort that the
was content to
management team
let the trophy do
of Johnny, Deckie,
the talking on the
Trevor and John
night, but speaking
put in was quite
after the ceremony,
unbelievable,
Waterford United
and the club owe
U19
manager
a great deal of
Johnny Browne
gratitude to these
was fulsome in his
lads.
They’ve
Andy O’Connor presented with the U19 Player
praise of all of his
worked very hard,
of the Yeartrophy by Blues legend Dixie Hale
photo : Paul Elliot/Waterford Soccer Magazine
players. “Firstly I
had us playing a
must pay tribute
great brand of
to all the players for the amount of work they put in football and it was a great season for them as well.”
to this squad. I described it as an honour to manage
them when Tommy was appointed first team manager The last word went to the Blues chairman. “I’d like to
and in fairness to the lads, they did everything I ever congratulate Andrew O’Connor on winning the player
asked of them. We had some exceptional players in of the year award. It’s always great to recognise the
the squad but I think we had a group of players that players for their efforts, and thanks to the Supporters
wanted to play and work hard for each other.”
Club for putting up this trophy.”
With a special word for the winner, Browne continued:
“I’m delighted for Andrew O’Connor because he is a
great lad with a great attitude. He put in a great work
rate for us wherever we played him and I congratulate
him on being named as the player of the year.”
The 19s boss was also pleased with the inclusive

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