Graham Coughlan credited his Waterford players for a vital 2-0 away win over St Patrick's Athletic. The manager insisted the team's resurgence is down to their attitude, not his own tactical genius, as reported by RTE.ie this week.

Jorgen Voilas and John Mahon scored second-half goals at Inchicore to secure the three points. The victory moves Waterford to 8th in the Premier Division, with 32 points from 29 games, and puts them nine points clear of the relegation zone. Their recent form is strong, with three wins and two draws from their last five matches.

What changed for Waterford in the second half?

Coughlan admitted his side were not at their best before the break. "The lads were very good. I just thought we were off a little bit in the first half," he said. The manager made tactical adjustments, asking for more intensity and a harder press after halftime. This approach paid off as Waterford controlled the second period and found the goals they needed.

Stephen Kenny, the St Patrick's Athletic manager, conceded his team were second best after the interval. He acknowledged that Waterford were the better team in the second half, a fact that damaged his own side's title ambitions. The loss leaves St Pat's second, just a point behind Bohemians on goal difference.

How has Coughlan transformed Waterford's season?

The win is the latest in a remarkable turnaround under Coughlan, who took charge in May. Before his arrival, Waterford were bottom of the table with just six points from 14 games and no wins. Since then, they have won seven, drawn five, and lost only two league matches. This run has completely altered their season, pulling them clear of immediate danger.

Coughlan was quick to deflect any personal praise. "Look, it's nothing to do with me. It's all down to the group in the dressing room," he stated. He highlighted the work rate of forwards Tommy Lonergan and Podge Amond, as well as the defensive blocks from his back line, as key to the victory over St Pat's.

What is Waterford's current league position?

Waterford's solid form has given them a comfortable cushion in the battle to avoid the drop. They are now four points ahead of Drogheda United, who occupy the relegation play-off spot. The team has scored 39 goals this season but conceded 48, giving them a -9 goal difference. You can track their progress in the standings throughout the final stages of the campaign.

Their next challenge is a significant one. They host Sligo Rovers, who are 10th, in an FAI Cup quarter-final on 4 September. After that, league duties resume as they look to cement their top-flight status. The full schedule is available on our fixtures page.

What did the managers say after the match?

While Coughlan praised his squad's application, Kenny was left to rue a missed opportunity for St Patrick's Athletic. He noted his team had plenty of possession in the first half but lacked a cutting edge. The defeat is a setback in a tight title race, with Shamrock Rovers now 23 points ahead of Waterford at the summit.

For Coughlan, the focus remains on daily improvement. He described working with his players as an absolute pleasure but demanded they keep driving forward. The immediate task is preparing for the cup tie against Sligo, a match that offers a route to silverware. Details on the players available for that game can be found on our squad page.

Waterford's next fixture is at home to Sligo Rovers in the FAI Cup on 4 September 2026.