5 days ago
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.
