Still all to play for in the Premier Division
TEAMS will soon be entering the home straight in the Wexford Football League and a clearer picture is beginning to develop where the silverware might be headed at the business end of the season.
It’s still all to play for in the top flight with North End United, Shamrock Rovers, Moyne Rangers and Gorey Rangers still harbouring high hopes of landing the coveted Premier Division crown.
North End would have to be the favourites to regain the title, particularly after strengthening their squad in January with the acquisition of Paul Murphy, Shane Dempsey, Dylan Owens and Dale Flynn, and the Wexford town side will be keen to continue their, so far, unbeaten run in the Premier Division.
Arch-rivals and holders Shamrock Rovers have already suffered a shock reverse away to Rosslare Rangers and have been hit by a further setback in the January transfer window with the defection of Ricky and Jamie Fox to Wexford Youths.
Moyne Rangers have been going about their business in a professional manner and could be capable of making the breakthrough that they have threatened to do for the past few seasons, while leaders Gorey Rangers have shown they have the talent to keep the challengers at bay.
However, with all four teams facing crunch ties against their title rivals, the Sky Blues looked best equipped to finish the season on top of the pile.
The race for the Division 1 title could well be a shoot-out between Corach Ramblers and Bridge Rovers, with the Carrig-on-Bannow outfit getting the nod to capture the honours.
Ramblers only came up last term, courtesy of finishing third in Division 2, but the Neil O’Sullivan Cup holders have adapted well to life in a higher division and with the likes of Oscar Traynor squad members Gareth McCurtin and John Staples in their ranks they can make the step up to the Premier grade and take the title in the process.
Division 2 is too close to call, with all of the teams in contention blowing hot and cold in equal measures.
Moyne Rangers, North End, Shelburne and Wexford Celtic are all in with a good shout but which one will stumble over the line first is anybody’s guess.
In Division 2A Cloughbawn are a country mile ahead in the standings, although if North End United were to win their four games in hand they would only be four points behind their rivals.
However, points in the bag are always better than the ones totted up in your head and it’s difficult to see the leaders let their advantage slip, even without the influence of Connal Flood, who has signed for Bray Wanderers.
Division 3 looks like it could go right down to the wire, with Bree United and Enniscorthy United tied at the top, and with Bunclody breathing down their necks with games in hand.
Wexford Albion are a shoo-in for the Division 3A crown and it’s surely only a matter of time before last season’s Division 4 winners continue their climb up the ladder with another league title.
Trying to predict the winner of Division 4 this term would be a complete stab in the dark, with Crossabeg, Rosslare Rangers, All Blacks and Carne FC all in the mix.
Division 4A played out in a far more straightforward manner, with Cloughbawn’s second string amazingly securing the title in early-January and the club look set to be celebrating on the double with their first team going great guns.
Another team competing for league titles on two fronts are Wexford Albion, and just one more win will see them capture the Division 5 crown.
In the Youth Premier Division Gorey Rangers look the team to beat, although they have only played four games to date, remaining unbeaten with three wins and a draw.
In Youth Division 1 Bunclody have one hand on the trophy, having won seven games from seven, while in Youth Division 2 leaders Curracloe also boast a one hundred per cent record, with eight straight wins.
Youth Division 3 has already been decided, with Campile United winning all of their nine matches to date, while Camolin Celtic are tantalisingly close to clinching the Youth Division 4 title.