Juniors set to start season home to Clare
WEXFORD JUNIORS are hoping to begin their Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Premier Junior championship this weekend when they host Clare on Sunday (venue and time to be confirmed).
With Alan Brennan (Oulart-The Ballagh) in charge of the Slaneysiders for the first time, there’s a nice blend of youth and experience, with eleven different clubs represented in the 26-player squad.
That includes a bunch of performers who have previously been involved at Senior level, such as experienced players like captain Ciara Donohoe and vice-captain Aideen Brennan, and youngsters such as Lauren Murphy and Ailis Neville.
St. Ibar’s/Shelmalier youngster Neville is an interesting inclusion here as, given her talent, it’s more than a little surprising that she didn’t make Kevin Tattan’s Senior squad, but playing good games at this level would be more of a help to her than sitting on the bench for the first team.
Another interesting inclusion is her clubmate Sarah Harding-Kenny, one of the brightest footballing talents in the county. The St. Ibar’s/ Shelmalier starlet is no slouch at the small ball game and will add good athleticism to the squad.
Boss Brennan has a fully-fit group to choose from heading into the weekend, with his biggest concern being whether the Government regulations will allow his charges to take to the field.
Wexford didn’t have a second side in league action this season, so Sunday’s clash against Clare will be the first outing this year. The Slaneysiders’ second group game will be away to Offaly on November 8.
The Faithful and the Banner faced off in the opening group game last weekend, with the Munster side winning by 3-14 to 1-12. The top two in the group advance to the last four, with Armagh, Roscommon, Waterford and Limerick on the other side of the draw.
Should Wexford reach the knockout stages, which they certainly have the talent to do, they will face a semi-final on November 21. The Premier Junior All-Ireland final will take place on December 5.
Wexford squad: Gráinne McCabe (Clone Gaels), Eimear O’Connor (Oulart-The Ballagh), Ciara Donohoe (St. Ibar’s/Shelmalier, capt.), Aideen Brennan (Oulart-The Ballagh, vice-captain), Aisling Halligan (Glynn-Barntown), Róisín Cooney (Glynn-Barntown), Aoife McCrea (Rapparees), Nessa Wickham (Cloughbawn), Alannah Davis (St. Martin’s), Doireann Cullen (Castletown-Liam Mellows), Aoife Dunne (Oulart-The Ballagh), Hayley Cahill (Clone Gaels), Sinéad Furlong (Buffers Alley), Chloe Cashe (Glynn-Barntown), Orla Sinnott (Clone Gaels), Ailis Neville (St. Ibar’s/Shelmalier), Lauren Murphy (St. Ibar’s/ Shelmalier), Sarah Harding-Kenny (St. Ibar’s/Shelmalier), Marie Claire Byrne (Cloughbawn), Ciara Banville (Taghmon-Camross), Oonagh Doyle (Rathnure), Lisa Firman (St. Martin’s), Lettie Whelan (St. Martin’s), Megan Cullen (Castletown-Liam Mellows), Lisa Bolger (St. Martin’s), Ella O’Connor (St. Martin’s). Management: Alan Brennan (manager), Fran O’Gorman, Hughie O’Connor (both selectors).