2020 Season Preview: Wexford

Manager: Brian O’Sullivan.

Stadium: Ferrycarrig Park.

Players in: Conor Crowley (Cabinteely), Dan Tobin (UCD), Craig Giles (Shelbourne), Azeez Yussuf (Lucan United), Tom Murphy (UCD), Cian Kavanagh (Drogheda United), Karl Fitzsimons (Athlone Town), Patrick O'Sullivan (Longford Town), Malike Hill Benrouguibi (Bluebell United), Janabi Amour (Athlone Town), Charlie Smith (UCD), Kristian Crawford (Longford Town), Kaleem Simon James Carroll (Dundalk), Jack Lydon (Shelbourne), Gianpiero Fragnoli (Ballymun United), Andrew Farrell (Newbridge Town), Karl Manahan (Greystones United), Daniel Tarcevskijs (Wicklow Rovers).

Players out: Joe Walshe, Corey Chambers (Cabinteely), Jason McGuire, Ross Kenny, Thomas Croke, Sean Kelly, Paddy Cahill, Ricky Fox, John Peare, Conor Sutton, Andy Mulligan, Dave Corish.  

Extratime.ie Key Man: Dan Tobin

Former UCD stalwart, and recently installed Wexford captain Dan Tobin looks set to enjoy a big year at Ferrycarrig Park after a five and a half year spell with the Students first-team.

The former Irish underage international will be a welcome addition to the ranks on the banks of the Slaney where he will join a number of his ex-UCD teammates.,

The 22-year-old has won a First Division title previously, and he will be looking to use that experience to his advantage with his new club.

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Conor Crowley

Perhaps an unfortunate victim of a once mightily strong UCD midfield, Conor Crowley looks set to finally get a chance to make his mark on senior football in 2020.

After starring for the Students under-19 side, the former Cherry Orchard youngster looked primed to make a considerable mark on the UCD midfield – but it never really materialised.

But 2020 offers the Dubliner – in the midst of a master’s programme in UCD – an opportunity to make his long-awaited mark on the League of Ireland scene.   

How they did last season:

League:

It was another league campaign to forget for Wexford in 2019 – as they only just avoided bottom position as a result of Limerick’s 26 point deduction.

There was a number of impressive results for Wexford however, with the win over Bray Wanderers at Ferrycarrig Park proving to be a real highlight.

Despite that, the table does not lie, and a far from ideal record both home and away meant it was always going to be difficult for Brian O’Sullivan’s side to compete with many in the division.

FAI Cup:

While their league struggles were there for all to see, Wexford almost pruced one of the shocks of the FAU Cup fiurst-round, as they almost brought Premier Division Derry City all the way.

David Parkhouse’ late winner in normal time was the difference between the two sides, as Wexford certainly left the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium with more than their pride intact.

EA Sports Cup:

There was yet another competitive showing from Wexford in the EA Sports Cup as they were just edged out by Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.

After falling three goals behind, Wexford almost stunned their hosts with a second half fightback – but they left themselves with too much to do after horror five-minute first-half spell.

What to expect this season:

There is a distinct feel of a blank canvas at Ferrycarrig Park ahead of the 2020 season, and manager Brian O’Sullivan has certainly gone about his off-season recruitment drive in a positive manner.

Cian Kavanagh, Conor Crowley, Tom Murphy, Kristian Crawford and Kaleem Simon have all committed to the fold with the Slaneysiders, as has recently installed captain Dan Tobin.

Pre-season results have been largely positive for the most part, with Wexford remaining competitive in a number of their games.

In terms of the aims for 2020 at Wexford, they will certainly be eyeing one of the lower playoff positions, but they will also be acutely aware of the challenges that they face.

Wexford have been down the bottom of the First Division for a number of years now – and it is difficult to see anything bar another struggle this year.

The Cabinteely template of 2019 will definitely be a source of inspiration for O’Sullivan’s new look side but given the quality of a number of side’s at the top end of the First Division this will be difficult to replicate.

Title Odds: 33/1.

First game: UCD (Home).