‘Well begin defence of North East League title
DANNY Gartland took just a couple of weeks to reverse his decision to take a break from management and he’ll be in charge when Newfoundwell begin the defence of their NEFL Premier Division title next Sunday.
Clubs will have to hit the ground running from day one as there’s just one round of fixtures in this, the transition season before the inaugural calendar year campaign begins next March, and there has to be a wee question mark over the ‘Well’s ability to claim a second consecutive title given their rather chaotic pre-season.
Founder member Gartland and Paul Crowley both stepped away after leading the Drogheda club to Premier glory for the first time and a number of players left the club in recent weeks, including the Reid brothers Cormac and Ross.
The ‘Well’s failure to field for a recent friendly set the alarm bells ringing, but after hearing about the club’s predicament Gartland was quick to step in and save the champions from what could have become an embarrassing situation.
‘The committee asked me back to do the short season and I was not ready to sit back and see the club fall after seven years,’ he said.
‘I’m busy with work and the kids but not too busy to help out.’
Replacing Crowley as first-team coach for this season will be Ray Mills. Gartland met him for the first time a week ago, and with only one round of fixtures in the interim season they will have to hit the ground running with the squad.
Newfoundwell start with successive away games against Bellurgan (next Sunday) and Rock Celtic, but Gartland pointed out that the vast majority of last year’s squad is still intact and he feels they can give a good account of themselves.
‘We still have Ronan Brown in nets and we’ve still got our back three of Daryl McDonagh, Stephen Murphy and Paddy O’Boyle, and that team only conceded nine goals in the whole league campaign this year.
‘We’ve Rob Cashman, Dean Carolan and Ryan Connor in midfield, we’ve still got the two Kermodes and the O’Connor brothers and there are lads from this year’s reserves who are well able to step up, so I’m not going to say we’re not good enough to win the league again.
‘I think it’s a matter of just trying to keep the ‘Well in the Premier going into the full summer season, but I do believe we’re capable of getting something across the line.’
That confidence was boosted still further in the past few days, with confirmation that last season’s leading striker Ian Devine is also returning to the club, having previously indicated he would be joining Leinster Senior League club Drogheda Town.