March 4th
will be a historic occasion for Wexford Youths AFC when they host Longford Town
in their first ever game in the top division of the SSE Airtricity League.
The general
consensus of opinion is that the team of amateurs will find it difficult at the
top level but after their performances in the first division last season, they
men in Pink will be well capable of holding their own. Of course, games against
double winners Dundalk, runners up Cork City and a strong looking Shamrock
Rovers will always be difficult but points can be picked up against Finn Harps,
Bray Wanderers, Sligo Rovers, Galway FC, as well as opening day opponents
Longford Town. Enough points picked up in those games will see the Youths stay
competitive and manager Shane Keegan will be looking for a safe mid table
finish in their debut season in the top flight, a position that is well within
their capabilities
Saturday night
(January 2nd) will see Wexford Youths Women continue their season
with a home game against Castlebar Celtic, weather permitting of course. Wexford
are of course the current holders of the league title, FAI Senior Cup holders,
Shield finalists and have won both their league games played in what has been a
very disrupted season with games off due to weather and Republic of Ireland
senior internationals. The Youths women are the team to beat at present and
manager Willie Doyle has the players prepared and focussed for what will be a
busy second half of the season. Game kicks off at 7.30pm this Saturday in
Ferrycarrig Park
Sunday January 10th
will see two Wexford teams in action in the sixth round of the FAI Junior Cup
when Ferns United play hosts to Cork side Carrigaline United and North End
United travel to Clontarf to take on Sheriff YC in the tie of the round. Both
sides have negotiated some very tricky ties to get to the last 32 of one of the
largest competitions of its kind in Europe.
A week later North
End travel to the AUL to take on Rivervalley Rangers in the third round of the
LFA Junior Cup while Gorey Rangers will be travelling to Mountmellick United in
the fourth round while Ferns United will be awaiting the winners of Willow Park
and Woodview Celtic
Caim United,
Cushinstown and Rosslare Port are all still involved in the LFA Junior Shield
which will be played towards the end of January while Wexford Youths and
Cloughbawn are still involved in the LFA Youth Cup. Youths are also still
involved in the FAI Youth Cup but the weather has been causing havoc with all
these fixtures
In Schoolgirls cups,
Cloughbawn are in the last 16 of the FAI Under Sixteen cup and quarter finals
of the FAI Under Fourteen Cup where they will take on Lucan United and
Shelbourne AFC respectively
At National level in
Schoolboys, Wexford Albion are at home to Crumlin United in last 32 of the SFAI
Under Twelve Cup. Forth Celtic, Gorey Rangers and North End United are all
still in the SFAI Under Fourteen Cup and are all at home to Pike Rovers,
Tullamore Town and Booth Road Celtic respectively
