There’s no words to describe the numbness and pure devastation that so many football people across Waterford City and County feel today with the heartbreaking news that
@VillaFC1953
and
@WaterfordFCie
player Roy Butler has died at the age of 23 after a sudden illness. RIP Roy
Today I spent time with Roy’s dad Martin and his brother Aaron, as they paid tribute to their hero. It’s their words that I will listen to and will write, and nobody else’s. That full tribute will be available in Tuesday’s
@WaterfordNS
…
Today made me proud to a Waterford man and proud to be part of the football family. A community united as one in solidarity to support the heartbroken family of Roy Butler. Well done Waterford....
I was lucky to be trusted by Roy’s parents and brother to pay tribute to him in today’s paper. The words they spoke and the words others have said about him were a tribute. I’m overwhelmed by the messages I got today, but I’m now praying that they are respected in the days ahead
The Butler family have asked that in memory of Roy that all his friends and teammates change their profile picture to the below until he is laid to rest tomorrow….
"There's only one Jack de Bromhead" echoes around the RSC with great applause on 13 minutes to acknowledge his age.. A touching gesture from Waterford FC fans, who also remembered him and Dale Byrne before kick-off.. A class act from the supporters here..
That moment between Henry de Bromhead and his home fans at Tramore when Minella Indo entered the winners enclosure will forever be etched in sporting folklore here in Waterford. It was a reception that the likes of the seaside track has never seen before. Raw emotion
The three Waterford clubs, Ferrybank, Villa and Park Rangers, at the centre of Covid-19 cases with their players have all received the brilliant news that test results have come back as negative. The league will continue behind closed doors.
@WaterfordSport
@WaterfordNS
If you a Waterford man you have to be proud of the effort of Jay Molumby tonight. A brilliant performance from start to finish… He even lifted the crowd at times… Well done Jay.
A ray of light in the football community went out, but loved for his affectionate smile, pure loyalty, and a passionate love of football, Roy Butler will always be remembered by his family and friends as the “people’s person”. He'll be remembered
Breaking: Waterford FC club doctor Sinead Fitzpatrick has resigned her position within the club due to Covid cases. More to follow on
@WaterfordNS
and
@WaterfordSport
shortly
Waterford FC Season Ticket holders are to get a free ticket to Saturday's second-leg playoff game against Treaty United in a fantastic gesture from club owner Andy Pilley.
The talk of a new manager at Waterford FC has to end … Gary Hunt and David Breen are the right men at this time and should get until the end of the season … to change it now would seriously upset the apple cart and feel good factor that is around the RSC at the minute.
Today has been a very tough day as a shining light in our family has been taking away from us in the blink of an eye. Keep your family close because you just never know when the time will come when you have to say goodbye. Rest in peace uncle…. 💔
Very saddened to hear this morning of the death of the legend that was Johnny Matthews. He was just the most incredible man to be around and told me many great stories from his time in football. A terrific player, a top class manager, a brilliant referee, but a real gentleman.
When the Waterford FC Under 19 players take to the field this evening, they'll have the support of every Blues fan, and the one thing for sure is that they'll give their very best. Best of luck to each and every one of them.
3612 supporters didn’t just watch on at the RSC tonight as the Blues booked their place in the semi finals of the cup, but they got behind the team from start to finish… There’s something brewing at this football club at the minutes and it’s just magical to see…
After 16 games Waterford FC had nine points, 15 games later the Blues have 39 points…..
@marcbircham
has worked miracles with a group of players that have put their heart and soul into changing the fortunes…. It’s unbelievable
I'll be taken a break from the media world for a while. I'd like to thank all those who have stuck by me through the tough times in my life down through the years. It was 19 years of my life that I loved but it's time that I take time out to look after myself.
#bekindtoeachother
Some personal news - a new challenge awaits within the Irish Times Regjonal Group from Monday. Looking forward to working within the Waterford News & Star, Carlow Nationalist, Laois Nationalist and Kildare Nationalist publications… Nervous but excited at the same time..
David Breen confirmed as assistant manager to Ian Morris. Gary Hunt, who should have never been left depart the club in the first place, returns.
Dirk Heinen and Shane Nolan also remain.
Great to see the local interest back involved with our football club..
@WaterfordSport
Thanks to my colleagues for trusting me cover the hardest story I've ever worked on... I'm grateful for the support of
@VillaFC1953
@Deisesupes
@GerLawton
@DermotKeyes
and the Butler family in the last few days...
A great night at Highbury to witness
@ftfc
beat Peterborough. Thanks once again to the club for their brilliant hospitality and the reception that they afford us 👏
Just a word of appreciation to Waterford FC media man
@WhiteBrendan
, manager
@marcbircham
, the players, and owner
@richieforeest
for their help and support during the course of the normal season. Hopefully we'll get the job done next Friday night.
The Late
@wlrfm
Sports Editor Kevin Casey would have been proud of the contribution of his two sons, Paul and Mark, pictured with the other goalscorers for
@ParkRangersAFC
in their brilliant WSFL U12D League triumph over Piltown. A proud moment of all the Casey family.
An air of devastation has hit the sporting community in Waterford once again. Heartbreaking to say the very least and trying to find words for it is near impossible.
The news that stand tickets for the FAI Cup semi final are all but sold out over two weeks away from the fixture is exciting news for the future of the club…. Brilliant to see
There's only one Billy Rockett echoes around St. Colman's Park as Waterford FC fans pay tribute to the 13-year-old Blues fan with an applause in the 13th minute. Thoughts and prayers are with the Rockett family with his dad Liam is still in a serious condition in hospital.
Fleetwood Town owner Andy Pilley is set to take sole ownership of Waterford FC with the takeover of the club expected shortly. Mitch Cowling to remain on board as club chairman. A bright future for the club is in the offering.
A lot of Waterford FC fans doing one of two things this morning - Buzzing off their heads or eating humble pie…
Anthony Wordsworth’s decision to re-sign for the Blues and to turn down at least one offer from a top Premier Division club is a sign of intent…
A massive signing.
30 people waiting for a 2am bus at Dublin Airport
@JJKavanaghBuses
and it arrives at 2.40am.. Zero excuses and your 24hr a day phone service = false advertising…….
Breaking: Waterford FC First Team player that displayed symptoms for Covid-19 after travelling to Shelbourne on Saturday has tested Negative for the virus. Second player to undergo test this afternoon.
On this date two years ago, June 30 I woke up in hospital wondering would I ever get my life back on track or was it the end?
Two years on and I find myself in a completely different place. I find myself happy, thankful, grateful and a tad emotional. Means so much to me ♥️♥️
Waterford FC have unveiled a brand new club shop and ticket office… Owner Andy Pilley certainly delivering … “This was one of the first things supporters said to me when I arrived, that they wanted a full-time club store which was almost always open.” Well they have it now
Niall O’Keeffe on the fans. “For me what’s so rewarding of late is seeing the huge crowd building here. We’ve had over 3000 for the last couple of games, and close to 2500 tonight. There’s such a good buzz coming around. You can feel it. They’re loving it and we’re loving it.”
It's still madness that the playoff between Waterford FC and Cobh Ramblers isn't confirmed. Supporter clubs having to arrange buses, kids unsure whether they can go as no kick-off time confirmed with Schoolboy and SFAI games scheduled.. Both teams deserve better
I’m pretty confident that unless
@marcbircham
took over at the helm at the RSC, the Blues would be already relegated. To be still with a chance of staying up with a game to go is down to the effort of him and his players…
Today is World Mental Health Day and coming from someone who has suffered with and has spent time in hospital because of it, I'm lucky that I've learnt that it's always good to talk. Spread the message.
#WorldMentalHealthDay
#ItsOkayToNotBeOkay
Waterford FC player Alessando DeSanctis who received a head injury in this afternoon’s Under 19 game v Finn Harps has been released from hospital and has returned to Waterford. We wish him a speedy recovery.
BREAKING: Waterford FC’s star man Phoenix Patterson has been named as the
@PFAIOfficial
First Division Player of the Year at PFA Ireland awards held in Dublin tonight.
@WaterfordSport
@WaterfordNS
His young son Eoghan had just as many questions for his father
@padraigamond21
during his interview with myself and
@rayscott353
as we did. Fantastic night at the RSC and a brilliant picture to sum up what a hat-trick meant for Amond and his family.. A remarkable comeback.
Waterford’s
@phoenix_p10
celebrating with his family after last night’s win over Bohs. He has been flying for the Blues since he joined.. Another two assists to his name…
Sorry to hear about the death of Tom Flynn today. An unique character who loved Ferrybank, the Blues, and Manchester United. He also knew how to keep us all on our toes with his countless questions and always looking for the right answer. May he rest in peace.
Waterford Senior hurler Shane Bennett on the scoresheet for Ballinroad in their derby meeting against Dungarvan United in a game that finished 3-3 in the local Premier League this evening.
The dogs on the street knew about the positive case in the Waterford FC camp, they knew about the party that some players attended, they knew about training been cancelled and rescheduled, but importantly they know how much a laughing stock our club is becoming...
This was a dangerous sight tonight at the RSC, and really unacceptable... Luckily no player was hurt, but it's understood at least one Rovers fan was taken to hospital and another two treated for injuries. At least one person arrested...
Thanks to everyone for their kind messages after my interview with
@damienwlr
on Deise Today this morning.
"A man that always falls in life gets tired and fed up of trying to pick themselves back up, but always remember there is a helping hand available from those that care."
That Wednesday feeling when you get a lovely email from
@LFC
to say that you have been successful in the ballot for the Carabeo Cup final at Wembley so you have to get onto Ryanair and spend more money.... BUZZING
Today was the day when the football community of Waterford said a fond farewell to a legend… “A rogue but a loveable one” as described by Fr Gerry Chestnutt at his funeral Mass today. Full obituary in next weeks
@WaterfordNS