Can anyone stop North End adding more titles?

FOLLOWING ON from an impressive last season when they annexed the league and cup double, North End United will be looking forward to the 2014-’15 season when their goal is to make a positive impact on provincial and national cup competitions.

There is a good way for the club still to go but they have the quality players in their squad to make an impact on the domestic, provincial and national scenes.

They will take great confidence from the manner in which they finished off last season’s campaign with a resounding cup final victory over arch-rivals Shamrock Rovers.

Last season saw them give excellent displays right through the respective league and cup campaigns.

They gave themselves an early platform, and they built on this cushion as the season progressed, showing tremendous character and quality, so in the end it was no surprise when they dominated on the local front.

Already clubs have laid the preparations for the new season which gets under way on Sunday next.

This month’s topic is all about who will set the most stern challenge down to North End’s dominance of the local scene.

There are several factors that give North End the edge, one being that they always tend to have their full squad available for their opening season games, as many others struggle with player commitments to other codes.

The early points collected always give the Wexford town side a cushion which they have successfully built upon over recent campaigns.

As success follows success, all eyes will be on the reigning titleholders’ opening league game which is away to Curracloe United.

The seasiders struggled to maintain their top flight status last season, a struggle that is likely to continue this campaign.

With the rise and success of this North End side, and with players like Paul Murphy, Jason Murphy, Shane Dempsey, Kyle Dempsey, Gareth McCurtain and Warren Broaders in their ranks, one sees the quality that is in this side.

Already they are short odds favourites to retain their title.

Arch-rivals Shamrock Rovers must also travel away for their opening game, a somewhat tricky assignment against Courtown Hibs, who are renowned for their bright starts only to fade away in the latter half of the season.

With veteran Gareth Larkin having retired, along with the heavy cup final defeat still surfacing, they could find it difficult to take all three points.

But still with players like Chris Kenny, James Carty and Ricky Fox they can be relied upon to make an impact.

The newly-promoted Division 1 champions, St. Leonards, have an interesting home game with Moyne Rangers, while last season’s Division 1 runners-up, Kilmore United, start out on their very first season in the top flight away to New Ross Celtic, a huge game for the south county side.

Campile United, who have the quality to make life difficult for many through the season, travel away to Gorey Rangers.

The Campile men have the quality but their young side has struggled at crucial times and unless they have learned from last season’s experience they could once again end up as a mid-table outfit.

Gorey Rangers enjoyed a fine close to the season, a factor they will be hoping to build upon.

The road to the title begins on Sunday next with the fixtures listed below. Already North End have been installed as favourites with their strongest challenge set to come from Shamrock Rovers and Moyne Rangers, while Kilmore United and Curracloe United look likely contenders for the relegation dogfight.