A plan of action states Donnelly

Chairman of the WWEC Schoolboys/girls League, Brian Donnelly, was confident of where the league will go over the coming months. We can only hope that Covid-19 numbers start dropping and that we can get back to the action as soon as possible.

“If things keep going as they are, I expect us to get back training after Easter. We are not sure of how that will work. It could very well be pods of 15 players. Whatever instructions the government give us we will act on,” he said.

“We also hope to be able to go back to games in early May. We will hope all clubs will be ready for action by then. We would hope to play midweek games on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. All our leagues will run until the finish. We will however play just one round of fixtures,” he continued. “Cup competitions we will need to talk about at league and club level. I have my own ideas regarding these competitions and members of the league committees are also letting us know what their feelings are. However, we will have this sorted out by April and a pathway in place going forward.”

He said “we have a big problem however with development squads. Managers, coaches and players have missed almost two seasons. Again, we have doubts regarding the Kennedy Cup and the Galway Cup competitions. It’s so sad for everyone involved with these squads. These competitions were really enjoyed. Apart from the games, it was for many the first time they were away from home without their parents or guardians”.

“Playing in front of scouts from all over England, Scotland and Wales and indeed further afield kept the boys on their toes and was something to look forward to. I just hope that both of these will be played this season but it does not look good I’m afraid and it could be the end of April before we have definite news. Here in our league we have to look at our U11 development squad. At this stage we have no managers, coaches or indeed players for this squad. So much work to be done here and the quicker the better,” Donnelly said. “We also have other competitions that we are hoping to do. Two of these are connected to our U16 age groups. These can be sorted quickly when we get back to the action”.

ACADEMIES

Like our leagues, our academies have not functioned in over 15 months. Donnelly has strong ideas on these academies and how we should go about organising them going forward. A lot of what he says makes sense and no doubt he will get backing from many clubs.

What was once a terrific day for our academies was the end of season date that saw all academies meeting. This saw hundreds of boys and girls taking part and everyone got a medal going home. The last one took place in Conna and that was three years ago.

“We will have a day for these kids sometime over the summer, that is a must,” says Donnelly. “We have other ideas as well which we will have on the day. To work these ideas we have given ourselves some leeway. At the last AGM we agreed to run these academy days over two days. It was agreed to run the even numbers on one day (ie 6s, 8s, 10s) and the odd numbers a different day (5s, 7s, 9s, 11s). This will give us time to put in place some other ideas which we have for these days”.

NOTE

Since our interview with Brian Donnelly we are now informed of more problems with the delivery of vaccines. This could once again put back our hopes of going back to football anytime soon. No doubt we will have more news on this going forward.

IRISH PLAYERS

Young Shane Flynn (18 years old) was on the bench last week for Leicster City’s first team. One to watch. Likewise Leigh Whelan at Chesterfield is a young player from Wexford doing well. But it will be some time before he breaks into the Irish squad.

BIG JOB FOR KENNY

It was always going to be a hard job for Stephen Kenny as we face into the World Cup qualifiers and with a squad short of many regulars due to injury. At best this team will need to be firing on all cylinders to have a chance of qualifying.

With first team players falling by the wayside over the past few weeks, will we even know many of the players who will start against Serbia, who must now be firm favourites to win this opening fixture. Even Luxembourg at home is not now a certain three points.

Players now out are John Egan, Calum O’Dowda and James McLean. Doubtful are keepers Darren Randolph and Caoimhin Kelleher. Both would be expected to be in the squad with Randolph starting. Could we now see Hearts’ Aaron McEneff get his chance in midfield? Seamus Coleman was injured but should be back. Shane Duffy is struggling at Celtic, will he get back into the side?

Ciaran Clark at Newcastle should secure one of the centre half places. Kevin Long, Darragh Lenihan and Dara O’Shea could all be in the running for the other spot. Enda Stevens should hold the left fullback spot.

Matt Doherty, one of the few players that seem to be in top form, has to start - but where? Could he play in front of Coleman if back and fit? Robbie Brady is back from injury and should start in midfield. Jeff Hendrick is in and out of Newcastle’s team and not playing well. He could still start. Local lad Jayson Molumby should start here. Young Jason Knight is one of the few bright lights for Kenny and sure to start in midfield.

Who will Kenny start up front? Will he start Connolly? Would Adam Idah come into the starting 11? Shane Long, Scott Hogan, Ronan Curtis, Troy Parrott, Daryl Horgan or Nathan Collins? Could Seanie Maguire get a start? We look forward to Kenny’s pick for the boys up front.

Things could change with more injuries. Talk that James McCarthy may be back. Doubtful I think. Alan Brown could very well start in midfield. Harry Arter could find his way back into the squad. James McClean says he could be back. Did I leave Conor Hourihane out? I think I did and he must be in with a good chance of starting, especially with his move to Swansea City and getting more game time.

Over the next few months can we find some new heroes in the green shirt. Let’s hope so. We here in West Waterford will hope to see local boy Jayson Molumby making the squad and going one better and getting a start. Let’s hope so.