Advertisement
John Owens is no longer manager of the Waterford senior footballers. INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan
Departure

Waterford seek new football manager after John Owens steps down

Another inter-county senior football managerial vacancy has emerged.

WATERFORD HAVE BECOME the latest county to be on the lookout for a new senior football manager after John Owens has stepped down from the position at the end of his three-year term.

Owens saw his side bow out of the championship race when they suffered a first round qualifier defeat against Wicklow in Aughrim at the end of June, a game where they were unlucky not to triumph having played with fourteen men for the majority of the encounter and it took extra-time before the Garden County prevailed by 1-17 to 0-15. Earlier this year Waterford had lost out in the opening round of the Munster championship against Limerick by 2-12 to 0-7.

Owens took the reins in Waterford first for the 2010 season and enjoyed his greatest success in that debut year. The Déise claimed promotion to Division 3 of the league and contested the Division 4 final against Limerick in Croke Park where they lost out narrowly by 1-16 to 1-14. In the championship that year they defeated Clare in their opening assignment in Munster before losing to Limerick in the provincial semi-final and bowing out in the qualifiers against Offaly.

Last year they were beaten by Cork in the Munster semi-final before a victory over London in the qualifiers in Ruislip was followed by a defeat to Limerick in round three of the qualifiers at the Gaelic Grounds.

Owens informed chairman Tom Cunningham of his decision and the Waterford county board praised his contribution in a tweet from their official Twitter account earlier this afternoon.

“John Owens, Senior Football manager has stepped down from the position at the end of his term. Thanks John for 3 years of work & commitment.”

Waterford defender Tony Grey also thanked Owens for his effort on Twitter.

“a gentleman and a great man. Friend for life made.#johnowens

Owens becomes the fourth inter-county manager to depart his position this summer after Paddy O’Rourke (Armagh), Luke Dempsey (Carlow) and Eamonn McEnaney (Monaghan) all stepped down from their roles recently.

Talking Points: Dublin 2-13 Meath 1-13, Leinster SFC final

GAA announce football qualifier fixture details