The former FC Carlow boss is setting into his first League of Ireland season with the south-east team, and believes that with the right progress, he can bring the side to the Premier Division. 

 

With a plan now in place, the manager believes that steady progress is the key to success and will look to improve their final league position every year over the coming seasons.

 

"We're not going for overnight success, we can do a steady building process", Keegan told Beat102103. "If we could gain two or three positions next season and then kick on again the following season. It's a rebuilding process here. It's a tough league to get out of, very tough. Three of four seasons and be up there challenging, that's what we're aiming at, steady progress.

 

Having only been in the job a few weeks, Keegan believes the facilities in Ferrycarrig Park are perfect to help his new, young squad.

 

"I'm excited by it, really looking forward to it. The facilities are fantastic, they really are brilliant. He [Mick Wallace] has got all basis covered down here, it really is a top notch set-up. There will be a lot of new faces coming in, it will take a bit of time to gel. It's going to be a very young squad."

 

Keegan is also looking forward to their upcoming matches against south-east rivals Waterford United, and hopes to be able to give the fans something to shout about this season. 

 

"That will be interesting. I know Paul [O'Brien, Waterford United manager] down there quite well from different courses. I get on very well with him. I'm looking forward to locking horns with him alright. The people of Wexford and Waterford always like to have the bragging right over each other."

 

The Southeast side began pre-season with a squad of twenty eight but are expected to whittle that down before the start of the season.

 

"We may lose one or two of the stronger players to other clubs" he said, but he is hopeful that he can bring some older, more experienced player back into the club. "I have been talking over the last few weeks to two or three former Wexford Youths players who disappeared over the last few years due to various reasons. 

 

"If I could get those guys in who were former fan's favourites and add them to a core group of guys who are younger, thats the kind of blend I'd like to have, a majority of young with a few older heads to lead the way."

 

 

[With thanks to Martin Clancy, Beat 102103 Sports Editor]