Optimism has grown in Ferrycarrig Park with the arrival of Shane Keegan as manager. Keegan has set about the task of bringing success to a club that won just four league games last season as they amassed just 14 points throughout the season. Keegan has already identified home form as being important after a season of just one home win in 2011.
Wexford Youths squad. Credit: Sean Dempsey.
Keegan’s pre-season training included 28 players but that has been whittled down to a more manageable size. His plans for the club are to progress every year and get the club to the top level of Irish football in a few years. With just eight teams in this season’s First Division, the club can make a lot of progress this season.
With Limerick, Longford Town and Waterford United the bookies favourites to take the top three places, the remaining finishing spots are up for grabs, and a strong start to the season could be important for the Youths.
Keegan has managed to keep hold of striker Danny Furlong despite the advances of other clubs for his services. Furlong’s goals could be vital to the progress of the Youths this season, but the departure of Packie Holden, Ben Ryan and Daragh Walshe to south-east rivals Waterford United is a loss to the club. The versatile Brian Nolan has gone in the opposite direction.
The positivity coming from club over the off-season could be just as important to the club, with the quality facilities in Ferrycarrig Park important to help Keegan to progress the club. A new manager and new mentality could see Wexford Youths make important progress this season.
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