Local trio set the bar high in NEFL
Branigan.
The other big change in the Well line-up sees former Drogheda United captain Paul Crowley - who joined the playing staff last season - appointed joint manager, and Gartland says the veteran midfielder’s knowledge and experience will be a huge asset.
‘Paul has done one or two of the coaching badges and it’s excellent to have him there doing all the training, and the way he talks to the lads is brilliant. He has played under some great managers and the boys are delighted.
‘He has his name down as a player as well, but realistically if we have the squad training hard we won’t ususe him. It’ll be just for eemergencies.’ ScScoring goals was the big proproblem for the 2014/15 chchampions BoBoyne Harps laslast season and thethey finished in a didisappointing mid-tatable position, but thathat weakness seems to have been addressed as exe Dundalk and Drogheda United striker William Woods has signed, together with his Naomh Fionnbarra GAA clubmate Bernard Osborne and two other former Drogs in Paul Matondo and Roy Kierans.
Pete Brennan continues as manager of Harps, who will play all their home games at United Park this season, and he’s relishing the challenge posed by a reduced 10-team division.
‘I think teams will be stronger with bigger squads because they have brought players in from Johnstown 2 Parkvilla 4. Park Cel Summerhill 8 Castle Villa 0. teams that have folded, and it will be very hard to call [who will win the title].
‘The players we’ve brought in will add a bit more imagination and pace, and it’s good to have William in an area where we didn’t score loads last year.
‘Hopefully we can win it. We’ll certainly try our best.’
The aforementioned Cormac Reid and Conor Branigan have both opted to join Duleek, who are back in the Premier Division after a one-year absence, and they are managed again by Gary Brady who led former club Laytown United to three successive promotions in the Leinster Senior League. He feels the Tollstone-based club are well equipped to compete at the higher level.
‘We’ve got good players and didn’t need a complete overhaul, but we’ve added a few because we’re going up with the big boys - quality rather than quantity,’ said Brady.
‘We’ve brought in Keith Carolan from Hazel Lane and Stephen Carrick Rovers 2 Bellurgan United 3; Harmon Rangers 3 Rock Celtic 4; Hazel Lane United 0 Quay Celtic 1; Oldcastle United 5 Kingscourt Harps 4; Parkvilla 0 Trim Celtic 4; Rangers FC 1 Muirhevnamor 3; Rathkenny Rovers 0 Boyne Harps 2; Bailieboro Celtic 1 Navan Cosmos 12; Rossin Rovers 1 Newfoundwell 4. Navan Town 2 Johnstown 0; Torro United 1 Black Bull 4; Enfield 4 OMP 4; Trim Town 5 Athboy 3; Square 2 Kentstown 2. Kells Cel 4 Albion 2; Donacarney 2 Bay FC 7; Virginia Cel 3 Rathmullen 2. Bohermeen 1 Drogheda-Marsh 1; Fordrew 2 Kilmessan 4; Chord Celtic 1 Glenmuir 0. Watters from Home Farm as well, and we kept Barry Kavanagh who scored 26 goals in 17 games last season and got two in our first game in the Kilmessan Shield on Wednesday night.
‘The lads were very disappointed not to win Division 1 last season and to be beaten in the last game, and it’s going to be very tough, especially with only 10 teams this year.
‘But we think we have plenty of experience. We have good foundations in the club and all the facilities and the trophy is also that’s missing, so we’re not going into the Premier Division just to make up the numbers.’
However, the three local clubs are likely to face stiff competitition, with defending champions Navan Cosmos likely to be strong again. Another team to watch out for will be last season’s Division 1 champions Muirhevnamor who have strengthened significantly and are now managed by ex Dundalk and Drogheda United striker Tiarnan Mulvenna. Kells-Blackwater v OMP, C Perry. Donacarney v Rathmullen Cel, Joe Dyas; Virginia v BMC, Kings Park, P Smakowski; Castle Villa v Fordrew, 7.45, J Crawley. Johnstown v Square United, MDL Astro, 8.0, Brian Murphy.