Noonan says Waterford’s defensive shift earned FAI Cup final spot

Waterford will face Derry City in the FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday. It is the club’s first appearance in the match in 22 years. The victory caps a season in which the team avoided relegation after a difficult start.

Waterford began the league campaign winless in its first 13 games. The team sat at the bottom of the table when Graham Coughlan replaced Jon Daly as manager in May. Only Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers had accumulated more points in the league at that stage than Waterford. By the end of the season, the side finished seventh.

Conan Noonan, a 23-year-old midfielder, attributes the turnaround to Coughlan’s tactical adjustments. The manager emphasized defensive work and simplified the team’s approach. This strategy allowed forwards Tommy Lonergan and Pádraig Amond to score 31 goals combined, finishing first and second in the top scorers’ chart.

Noonan stated that the team’s style has become difficult for opponents to handle. “It’s horrible football to play against,” he said. “We just get the ball in the box and just keep piling, piling on. You can’t help but believe in what you’re doing.”

The approach required Noonan to adapt his playing style. He came through the youth system at Shamrock Rovers, where manager Stephen Bradley described him as a naturally gifted, two-footed player. Noonan joined Waterford permanently before this season, seeking a larger role. He missed only two league matches this year.

To fit Coughlan’s system, Noonan played in various positions, including central midfield and both wings. He focused on tracking back and defensive duties rather than purely creating chances. “I love to get on the ball, creating chances, and score goals, and that’s not my role now,” Noonan said. “As long as I’m helping the club, I don’t really mind.”

Noonan believes these defensive habits will serve him well in his career. “In the future you’ll need these skills and need these ways to play and mentally adapt,” he said. “I think it will pay dividends in the future.”