Ferrycarrig curse afflicts managers

NFORTUNATELY, it hasn’t happened too often this season, but losing SSE Airticity Premier Division games to Wexford Youths in Ferrycarrig Park should carry a severe health warning for visiting managers.

Shane Keegan’s side have only won three matches on home soil in the top flight so far this season, and in all three cases the boss at the time is no longer with the losing club!

Their first victory came at the expense of Bray Wanderers on April 1, and three weeks later Mick Cooke left the hotseat at the Wicklow club.

The next win was a 2-0 shock against Shamrock Rovers on May 13, and Pat Fenlon had parted company with the Hoops by early July.

The main reason may have been a poor performance in the money-spinning Europa League and a quick exit to unheralded Finnish opponents, but you can be sure that the loss in Ferrycarrig also weighed heavily on the minds of Rovers directors.

Longford Town boss Tony Cousins didn’t hang about after his side lost 2-0 away to Youths on August 12, handing in his resignation over the weekend. No doubt he realised the writing was on the wall as his team hadn’t won since the opening day of the season at the same venue, and his place has now been filled by Alan Mathews.

As for Englishman Dave Robertson who watched his Sligo Rovers side succumb to an injury time goal in the FAI Cup on Friday, just two weeks after a 5-0 league win at the same venue, his position is probably safe.

We say this because the Bit o’Red have been moving steadily up the league table, although a club with such a proud cup pedigree won’t be pleased with this unexpected exit either.

Visiting managers be warned: Youths don’t win too often at home, but when they do, there’s usually trouble on the horizon!