Wicklow management angry over player snub SOCCER LEAGUE TABLES

Sports reporter

WICKLOW Football League Oscar Traynor management were left angry when players failed to turn up for their final group game, leaving them with no option but to concede a walk-over.

Sunday morning last turned out a ‘black day’ for Wicklow soccer for when they were about to embark on their final Oscar Traynor Trophy game against the AUL at the AUL Complex just ten players appeared at the collection point.

This was a bitter disappointment for the management and players who made themselves available as they were left crushed at the snub of their playing colleagues.

Having already played two games in their group, and their interests having evaporated, for they lost both 6-3 to the Kilkenny League and 3-1 to the Wexford Football League.

Despite the fact that they no longer had an interest in the destination of the famous soccer trophy, the fact that the players snubbed the league with their ‘no show’ has left a sour taste in the mouths of management who had put so much into the side over the past number of months.

Assistant Manager, Deckie Carthy, when spoken to on Monday evening admitted they were unable to muster a team to fulfil the fixture.

He said: ‘On Saturday afternoon we had 18 to 19 players in the squad who had made themselves available. But it was a different story on Sunday morning. When we arrived at our meeting point there was a ‘no show’ by a number of players.

‘We had ten players, two of which were goalkeepers, while another player said he would meet up with the squad at the AUL Complex, but on Sunday we could not make contact with this player on mobile to ensure he would be present.

‘This player was supposed to be at the meeting point but then gave his alternative arrangements. We were only told by a third party he would be at the AUL Complex but we were not certain.

‘Up to Saturday evening there was no indication players would not be available. We should have been shown more respect by the players who failed to appear. I was confident that with a full squad we would have given the AUL a competitive game, but there was no point travelling with the minimum number, with two of those goalkeepers.

‘What would have happened should an injury occur we could be left playing with reduced numbers against a quality side. Then the final scoreline would not reflect well on Wicklow soccer.

‘Had the players made known on Saturday evening they had a problem we could have scrambled around for players as there was not many club fixtures on. I’m confident there would have been a response from players, for we would not have had to go through the embarrassment of conceding a walk-over. We wanted to finish out the competition on a positive note with a competitive game against the AUL’.

However despite the setback Carthy is still looking to the future.

‘This is a project. This was year one and we are determined to continue year two. We will have to sit down with the Wicklow League and speak with them.

‘Our plan is to keep the project going. But we will still have to speak with the players who put in a ‘no show’ to ascertain why they failed to honour their commitment. It was a disappointing end but we are still determined to continue with the project which can only be good for Wicklow soccer,’ he said.

ANDY MCEVOY PREMIER

St Peter’s Newtown Ashford Rvs Carnew AFC Glencormac Arklow Utd

PAT O’TOOLE DIVISION 1

Avonmore Greystones St Anthony’s Wicklow Tn Rathnew AFC Arklow Utd Arklow Cel Newtown Wicklow Rvs

DIVISION 3 Arklow Town Dearg Celtic Shamrock Cel Ashford Rvs Roundwood Conary Utd Dargle Rvs Carnew FC Aughrim Rgs Avonmore Ballywaltrim Arklow Utd Coolboy Rgs

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JOHN TOBIN YOUTHS LEAGUE A PTS

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