Youths fixtures set

THE TRAINING pitches in Ferrycarrig Park have been very busy of late, and it’s no wonder as the men, women, Under-19s and Under-17s of Wexford Youths are all preparing for their new campaigns which are only around the corner.

The fixtures in the latter two grades were released recently, and the Under-19 crew will be into action first on the week ending March 12 when they entertain Limerick.

They’re one of ten teams in the southern elite division, with 18 league fixtures to be played on a home and away basis until September 17.

At that point the competition will sub-divide into league and shield depending on finishing places, with the knockout games starting on the week ending September 24 involving a cross-over of teams from the northern section.

The Under-17 squad will start one week later, on the week ending March 19, with a journey to face Cobh Ramblers in St. Colman’s Park.

Their southern elite division comprises eleven teams, meaning 20 games in all until the knockout phase, run on similar lines to the Under-19, gets under way on the week ending October 1.

The opposition at Under-17 level will be provided by Bray Wanderers, Cabinteely, Cobh Ramblers, Cork City, Galway United, Kerry, Limerick, Shamrock Rovers, U.C.D. and Waterford.

The same teams will also feature in the Under-19 competition, with the exception of Kerry.

Meanwhile, new manager Laura Heffernan and her women’s squad are preparing for a league opener on Saturday, March 25, home to Galway WFC. They have a bye on the previous week when the league begins, and will also lock horns with UCD Waves, Shelbourne, Cork City, Kilkenny United and Peamount United, playing each opponent three times.

The men will be the first Youths outfit to feature in competitive action, as their return to the First Division will begin on Saturday, February 25, with a visit to St. Colman’s Park to meet Cobh Ramblers with a 7.15 p.m. kick-off.