Owens departs Déise footballers

John Owens stepped down as Waterford football boss last night, bringing an end to a three year reign with the Déise footballers.

Waterford were beaten by Limerick by 11 points in the Munster championship quarter-final in May, and then exited the championship in Round 1 of the Qualifiers with a narrow extra-time loss to Wicklow.

Despite playing with 14 men for most of the game, Waterford were within seconds of clinching a famous win in Aughrim, but the Garden County fired over an equaliser at the death and pulled away in the extra 20 minutes.

Owens took over in September 2009, and in his debut season the following year, guided Waterford to promotion from Division IV. They almost landed the divisional title too, but were beaten in the final in Croke Park by Limerick. They found life difficult in the higher division in 2011, and were relegated back to the fourth tier.

Waterford recorded two championship wins under Owens, a victory in Munster against Clare in 2010, and then a seven point win the following year against London in Round 2 of the Qualifiers.

"John Owens, Senior Football manager has stepped down from the position at the end of his term. Thanks John, for 3 years of work and commitment," read a statement from the Waterford board.