Four Slaneysiders in season opener

WEXFORD MAY no longer have a direct interest in the Premier Division of the SSE Airtricity League, but that didn’t stop the grand total of four Slaneysiders featuring in one of the first games of the new season in Ballybofey, Co. Donegal, on Friday.

Cork City, the nearest challengers to Dundalk in recent seasons, boasted three of our brethren in their ranks as they made the long journey to the north-west and beat Finn Harps 1-0.

Team captain Greg Bolger continues to perform to a high level in his defensive midfield role, and he has a fellow Rossonian in close proximity now since centre-half Ryan Delaney has joined the club on loan until July from English Championship side Burton Albion, having made the move across the water from Wexford Youths mid-season in 2016.

Meanwhile, Cork’s left-back Kevin O’Connor is continuing to earn rave reviews, with the Screen native and ex-Curracloe and Waterford United player listed as one of the players to watch in various previews ahead of the new season.

The losing Finn Harps side included Wexford town’s Ethan Boyle who is in his second term with Ollie Horgan’s team after making the move from Waterford United.

Former Youths favourite Jonny Bonner, a native of Donegal, lined out in midfield with the losing side after his recent move, while two more Ferrycarrig Park old boys were also in action: Jimmy Keohane for Cork City and Killian Cantwell for Finn Harps.

As for ex-Wexford boss Shane Keegan, his new life in charge of Galway United ended in a 1-0 home defeat to promoted Drogheda United, with the losers including Youths’ player of the season in 2016, Lee Grace, at centre-half.