Graham Coughlan has signed a new two-year contract to remain as Waterford manager, a major commitment ahead of Sunday's FAI Cup final. The deal was agreed this week, ensuring the architect of the club's remarkable revival will lead them into a new era.

Coughlan said the decision was straightforward, crediting his players and the club's supporters for the season's success. "It was probably the last time I cried, the last time I shed a tear," he said. "There’s your headlines." He joked that his family had made the choice for him months ago, back in September or October.

Coughlan's stunning turnaround

Since his appointment in May, Coughlan has transformed Waterford's fortunes. He inherited a side that was 10 points adrift at the bottom of the Premier Division and winless after 14 games. Under his leadership, the Blues surged to a seventh-placed finish with 43 points from 36 games, securing their top-flight status and a place in the Club Orange Men's FAI Cup final. His record stands at 14 wins from 26 games in charge, picking up 36 points in the process.

The team's recent form, including a 3-2 win over Shelbourne last Friday, shows the momentum they carry into the final. They sit 25 points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers but have won four of their last five matches, a run that includes victories over Drogheda United and Galway United. Top scorer Tom Lonergan, with nine goals this season, has been instrumental, scoring and assisting in the recent win over Shelbourne.

A personal connection

Coughlan's bond with the club and its fans is deeply personal. He spoke of his pride in his Irish roots and the memory of his grandfather taking him to League of Ireland games. "I see so many supporters around the town and they're smiling and they're brimming," he said, acknowledging the renewed optimism. This connection has been a driving force behind the squad's buy-in and the dramatic change in atmosphere at the RSC.

With the league campaign concluded, all focus shifts to the Aviva Stadium this Sunday. Waterford will face Derry City, a side they drew 2-2 with in September, in their first FAI Cup final appearance in more than a decade. Chairman Jamie Pilley stated that regardless of the result, the club can now plan for the future, allowing Coughlan to build on what he has started. The manager now has the security to shape his squad for the 2027 campaign, with the next league fixture a return trip to Derry City on November 8th.

First reported at The 42