Love tears Wexford footballers apart as Fermanagh come out on top
Wexford will be hoping it's a case of third time lucky when they put their Tailteann Cup involvement on the line in a do-or-die preliminary quarter-final against Antrim in Chadwicks Wexford Park on Sunday at 1 p.m.
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Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Dave Devereux: It wasn't easy, but here's my Wexford Football League Premier Division team of the season
Unsurprisingly, the line-up is dominated by double winners North End United, who also went all the way to the final of the FAI Junior Cup, only to lose out to a strong Fairview Rangers outfit. Other things, like performances for Wexford's All-Ireland winning Oscar Traynor team, were also taken into account in what was a very successful season for football in the county. Besides North End, the other three teams in the big four – Gorey Rangers, Shamrock Rovers and Forth Celtic – make up the bulk of the remainder, although it's far from an easy task to whittle them down, considering we are lucky enough to have one of the biggest leagues in the country, with numerous quality players involved. The final squad certainly isn't beyond reproach – in fact I changed my mind two or three times while compiling it, and, if it was written tomorrow, allegiances may have switched once again. You could easily choose an entire squad from players that didn't make the cut and still end up with a formidable selection that would be a match for any team in the county. Defenders like Stephen Moloney, Ryan Cullen, Ian Sinnott, Seán Carmody, Chris Hooker and Ronan Devereux immediately spring to mind and there are many more besides. Midfielders Stephen Kinsella, Ethan Vickers, Gavin O'Brien, Luke Greene, Chris Kenny, Jack Mullan and Dermot Flood would grace most teams, while no defender would relish having Niall Connolly, Robbie Kane, Ciarán Paige, Paul Brennan, Adam Territt or Joe Finn running at them. Having seen certain teams more often than others during the campaign and watched Wexford's run to the national Oscar Traynor Trophy crown, it's undoubtedly a subjective list, and I'd be keen to hear the view of others. There's sure to be players that I have overlooked that deserve special mention. I've gone for a 1-4-3-3 formation, but feel free to have your say and compile a squad of your own. After all, it is a game of opinions. Unquestionably the best goalkeeper playing at Junior level in the county at present. The former Wexford FC netminder does his primary job of keeping the ball out of the net superbly. He is also extremely adept at playing out from the back and can ping a long pass to a team-mate, allowing them to run on to the ball without breaking stride. He was also the number one for Wexford Oscar Traynor manager Willie Peare as they claimed All-Ireland glory. Right-back – Conor Casserly (Gorey Rangers) Mr Dependable. The Gorey Rangers right-back has been consistently one of the top performers in the Wexford Football League Premier Division for a number of years. He rarely puts a foot wrong for either Gorey Rangers or Wexford. A great reader of the game that was one of the three players nominated for the Premier Division player of the year award. Centre-back – Gary Delaney A teak-tough tackler and commanding in the air, he is also comfortable on the ball and a true leader that starred for his club and the Wexford Football League. The former Wexford FC and Waterford United man often pops up with a crucial goal from a set-piece, as he did when he headed a late, late equaliser against Forth Celtic to force extra-time in the cup final. Centre-back – Reece Murphy The stylish young North End United player is more that capable of performing at a higher level and one or two clubs at League of Ireland level are bound to be interested in securing his services. He does his primary job of defending with quiet efficiency, while he is also extremely comfortable on the ball and can chip in with a goal or two. He showed in the FAI Junior Cup and Wexford FC Cup finals that he can do a job in midfield when called upon. Left-back – Todd Hynes The former Wexford Bohemians player is probably still finding his feet with North End, but he certainly became more influential as the season wore on. Being part of a Sky Blues defence that only conceded nine league goals all season speaks for itself, while he also played a huge role in Wexford's Oscar Traynor triumph. An attacking full-back that can produce cracking deliveries – both from open play and set-pieces. Midfield – Alan Rhodes (North End United) An often-underrated player, whose work sometimes goes under the radar. A quality, hard-working midfielder, who leads by example and always seems to put in a solid performance for his club North End United and the Wexford Oscar Traynor team. As well as being an assured footballer, he's also a great talker and brings a calmness to all around him as he encourages his team-mates. He was shortlisted for the Premier Division player of the year award and captained Wexford to All-Ireland glory. Midfield – John Peare (North End United) Peare is a player with an abundance of skill. A creative midfielder, who is also comfortable on the wing or in the number ten position. The former Moyne Rangers player loves to take on his man, can pick out a pass and, also knows how to find the net. Another All-Ireland winner with Wexford, who is a nightmare for opposition defenders. He gave a brilliant performance in the Wexford FC Cup final. Midfield – Cathal Dowd (Forth Celtic) The Forth Celtic man has come through the underage ranks at his club and has put in tremendous performances throughout the season. An all-action player, who has boundless energy and has chipped in with plenty of goals. He's still only 22, so he has an exciting future ahead of him in the game. Winger: Raphael Abidoye (Shamrock Rovers) Another Wexford Oscar Traynor player to make the cut, the Shamrock Rovers man is a potent force in front of goal when on song, which he illustrated when scoring four goals against the Defence Forces in the group stages. He reached double figures in league goals for his club this season, while also providing an impressive number of assists in the Premier Division. Winger: Ryan Busher (Forth Celtic) The Forth Celtic man was the leading scorer in the top-flight this term with 19 goals and he was named the top performer at the recent Wexford Football League player of the year awards. He is an attacker with an abundance of skill and a real eye for goal and he helped Wexford to Leinster and All-Ireland Oscar Traynor success. Centre-forward: Eoin Rhodes (North End United) Rhodes may not have matched the astronomical numbers he hit in the league in the previous season, but he's still the best target man around. His hold up play is second to none and he also contributed vital goals for the Sky Blues in their run to the FAI Junior Cup final as well as being a vital cog in the wheel for the Wexford Oscar Traynor team as the claimed All-Ireland glory – particularly his two goals in the semi-final in Ferrycarrig Park, when they beat holders Waterford 2-1. SUBSTITUTES Clive Lawler (Forth Celtic) The Forth Celtic netminder was the unfortunate player to miss the vital spot-kick in the Wexford FC Cup final as they agonisingly lost out to North End United in a penalty shoot-out, but that shouldn't take away from the consistently good performances he puts in for his side. An experienced and commanding presence in the box that always gives his all. Paul Murphy (North End United) It was difficult not finding a place for 'Spot' in the starting eleven as he's undoubtedly the best ever to play in the Wexford Football League. Murphy may be in the twilight of his career, but he still oozes class, and his leadership qualities can never be questioned. Tucked away his penalties in both normal time and the shoot-out in typical ice-cool fashion in the final to help his side win the Wexford FC Cup. Adam Beary (Forth Celtic) Beary may have lost a yard of pace since the days when he terrorised defences in a North End United shirt, but he still has an eye for goal. By topping the assist charts this season, he also showed his importance as a provider, linking up with fellow frontman Ryan Busher to devastating effect. Seán Fitzpatrick (Shamrock Rovers) The former Wexford FC player made a massive impact in the latter half of the season, scoring 12 goals in just 12 league appearance for the Enniscorthy outfit. His impressive haul included two hat-tricks and he certainly has a bright future in the game. Dapo Abidoye (Shamrock Rovers) Like his brother Raphael, Dapo is lethal in front of goal and was second in the Premier Division scoring charts this season with 14 goals. Having spent some time with Norwegian third tier side Bergsoy, the Shamrock Rovers attacker returned to help his side to a third-placed finish in the top-flight. Glen O'Brien (Gorey Rangers) O'Brien can play in the defence or in a more advanced position on the wing and he is sure to do a good job wherever he is asked to play. The Gorey Rangers man also played his part as Wexford claimed All-Ireland glory in the Oscar Traynor Trophy. Eryk Borowiec (New Ross Celtic) It's not easy to excel in a struggling team, but Borowiec did just that, shining in front of goal despite his side's relegation. He scored eight league goals, while also adding six in the LFA Junior Cup and two in the FAI Junior Cup. The striker is sure to terrorise Division 1 defences next season. Manager – Gary Dempsey He may have talent as his disposal that other coaches could only dream of, but to win a domestic double in his first full season as sole manager of North End United is a tremendous achievement, nonetheless. Dempsey also guided the Sky Blues to only their second-ever FAI Junior Cup final, where they unfortunately they came up short against a strong Fairview Rangers side.
Irish Examiner
10 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Mark Coleman has 2018 regrets but knows Limerick era was inevitable
Mark Coleman is a 10-season Cork campaigner. Aged 27, 10 summers on the road suggests an early start. A very early start, in fact. Coleman was just 18 and a year out of minor when Kieran Kingston called him down from the stand and introduced him for Stephen McDonnell late on in Cork's 2016 qualifier defeat to Wexford. 19-year-old Coleman was at left half-back for Cork's next championship outing, that being their 2017 Munster opener at the same Thurles venue. Seven weeks later, he returned to Semple Stadium and pocketed a first Munster medal on his third championship start. The carefree teenager cut over a 63rd minute sideline. Two minutes later, he glided forward and doubled his tally. Cork went back-to-back in the province in '17 and '18. Both campaigns ran aground at the All-Ireland semi-final stage. The 2018 semi-final stings more. Seven minutes remaining, Cork led Limerick 1-26 to 1-20. It was a lead they could not keep grip of and there was born a green monster. Coleman's take on the redrawn hurling landscape following the 2018 semi-final is that a Cork win would not have prevented the subsequent Limerick takeover, it would have merely delayed the Treaty's coming by 12 months. 'We knew enough about them from underage, they beat us in 2015 minor (Munster semi-final), 2016 U21 (Munster quarter-final), and 2017 (Munster U21 final). We knew that team fairly well, we knew they were coming,' said Coleman. 'You look back with regrets on that [2018] game, the fact that we were six up into the 62nd minute, but in terms of what would have happened after, they were always going to go on. Maybe we might have delayed them another year, but it's more just regrets about that game. They were always going to go and win All-Irelands.' The Cork-Limerick clash of three weeks ago had none of the drama or suspense of the 2018 instalment. All it had was total Limerick domination. Cork were less participants, more spectators. It was actually a turnover on Coleman in front of the open stand that led to Diarmaid Byrnes' point to shove Limerick 16 points clear for the first time on 34 minutes. The previous 33 minutes had been similarly unkind to the men in red. 'When the team gets a run on you like that – especially above, there was a massive wind in that first half, that first half felt like a full game in itself – they were keeping the tempo high, they kept the puckout going, they had us under pressure. 'Over the years, you learn how to deal with that, how to slow games down, and how to reset. There probably were a few times where we did maybe get a couple of scores and they just obviously had that bit between their teeth. 'We've been in a lot of tricky situations down through the years and as a team you have to know how to communicate, reset, and maybe pull a puckout from somewhere or just slow things down to get out of those difficult moments. It's probably something we didn't do well that day, but with that you just learn from it.' Prior to chatting with Coleman in the Páirc Uí Chaoimh media room, we sat down with his boss. Unprompted, Pat Ryan singled out Coleman as the one starter that awful day above in Limerick that battled. A timely compliment given Coleman's No.7 shirt had been in danger for so much of the campaign to date of becoming Cormac O'Brien's No.7 shirt. Because of injury, the Blarney clubman featured in just two of Cork's six League round-robin outings. Within that, he started just one. He did not start the League final and would not have started their championship opener but for injury to O'Brien. 'I've definitely benefited, personally,' Coleman said of the ongoing half-back battle. 'I was out of the team for the league final, and unluckily for Cormac, he picked up an injury before the Clare game, he probably would have been starting as well. 'Something Pat always says, the next man up, and it's just about trying to take the opportunity. There's probably five fellas for every line on the pitch, minimum – even more. You saw we had three or four fellas injured for the Waterford game, and we had three or four started, another new three or four came on. That strength in depth is important.' Eight of the team that began the Waterford game are without a Munster medal. If Coleman took slightly for granted the pair he pocketed at the beginning of his career, there's nobody who'd overlook the worth of provincial silverware this weekend. 'From the championship as a whole, we've a lot of learnings, in terms of playing with a man up, playing with a man down, we've played against gale-force breezes, we've got hammered, we've been winning well, we've had it all really. 'We've a lot of learnings to take, so just looking forward now and trying to put a performance in the next day.'
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
'It's like taking a huge family on holiday' New York have Tailteann contingency
The New York hurlers and footballers are like ships in the night as they cross the Atlantic this week. The hurlers made history by winning the Lory Meagher Cup last Saturday against Cavan, seven days after beating Monaghan in the semi-final, with their presence in the fifth tier competition a bone of contention for some. On Sunday evening, the Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final draw pitted the footballers against Offaly on Saturday and, by chance, they had already booked into the Tullamore Court Hotel so, as chairman Sean Price says, 'it's a home game for both teams'. Indeed, managers from either side, Offaly's Mickey Harte and New York boss Ronan McGinley, brother of ex-Antrim manager Enda, both hail from the Errigal Ciarán club in Tyrone. Westmeath native Adam Stones is a starter for the hurlers and footballers and so enjoys an extended break back in Ireland, but the bulk of the travelling party will land in Dublin tomorrow morning and the logistical challenges of getting two teams over and back in such a short timeframe is challenging, though Price deflects the credit elsewhere. 'I had to dress up and put on a suit and look smart,' he said of landing in Dublin last Saturday ahead of the Meagher final. 'That's all I had to do, really, in fairness. 'There's great people there. Mick Stones, he organised the hurlers. Sorting out the hotels and the buses and the whole lot. 'And then the footballers, Cayla Fletcher, she's from Kilcormac, outside Tullamore. She played underage for underage camogie for Offaly. So, she organised the trip. 'The managers, Richie Hartnett and the hurling, he carries the load, but everybody else is with him. And Ronan McGinley carries the load with the footballers. There's an awful lot of great people there. 'It's kind of like taking a huge family on a holiday. You've the lad that'll turn up on time. You've the lad that'll be late. You'll have the lad that'll forget his passport. You'll have the lad that'll have two passports. It's a whole family event, really.' But while the hurlers were always likely to play two games while here, it's far from certain for the footballers - but a contingency still needs to be in place in case they beat Offaly to reach a quarter-final the following weekend. 'We have reached out to a couple of different hotels,' Price, a Kerry native, explained. 'The Tullamore Court, they're working with us. Just to have the contingency. 'The bus is the same thing. 'Are you available next week?' kind of job. 'And the same thing with the flights. We've booked some flights. We've asked all the boys that if they can take a week and use it as vacation, you know, that would be great. 'We see the enormity of the task. I mean, look, Offaly's young lads are mad for running. They're Division Three champions. 'That's a big step up for us, you know. But it's a challenge we have to embrace. But we do have a plan B and C. Because, look, you have to kind of plan that way, 'Some fellas might have to go back through work. We've identified them. Some fellas will have to come back on Sunday, no matter what. 'I think one fella can't fly with us on the Wednesday night. He just can't get the time off because a lot of guys have taken time off for different things. So we've contingencies in place for everything. 'But look, we just have to go with it and that's it. We can't complain. There's no point in complaining. It's not Offaly's problem, it's our problem.'
