Thumbs up for Sunday
Wallace granted permission to change day of home ties
Wednesday February 24 2010
WEXFORD YOUTHS supremo Michael Wallace has been successful in having his Division 1 League games moved to Sunday afternoons.
While he hopes the switch from Friday nights will help to boost attendances, what is of more concern to Wallace is the quality of Division 1 for the coming season.
With Shelbourne and Waterford once again leading contenders, the league has been further strengthened by the demotion of Derry City, who will have a very experienced squad after retaining many of their key players.
The Cork City debacle has ensured that Bray Wanderers have moved back to the top flight. However, the situation with regard to a team from Leeside lining out in Division 1 was still up in the air at the time of going to press on Tuesday afternoon, but Wallace expects a final decision within 24 hours.
He is delighted with the switch to Sunday afternoon for their early round home games. 'It's the ideal move at the moment until we have the full facilities available for supporters. We have received planning permission for a state of the art stand which is a development for the future.
'Friday nights in early season can be very cold so it's not attractive for supporters to come out. While we'll be competing with many other sporting fixtures on a Sunday afternoon, I believe it's the right move for us at the present time.
'We have our first home Division 1 league game on Sunday, March 14, against Shelbourne with a 2 p.m. kickoff. It's a huge game as Shelbourne will be one of the sides fancied for promotion.'
At the moment Wallace is looking forward to their Leinster Senior Cup game with Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght on Saturday evening next.
'This will be a huge challenge for us as Rovers have brought in many quality players to go with the squad which was so impressive last season. It's a tough opening game,' he added.
Wexford Youths open their league campaign on Friday week away to neighbours Waterford, another side which has brought considerable strength to their squad.
Further good news for Wallace and new manager, Noel O'Connor, is that Gary Sheahan is available to the squad.
Sheahan had a trial with Exeter City some weeks back but there has been no development on a move across channel which is good news for the club, as they have already lost Conor Sinnott to St. Patrick's Athletic and Peter White to Limerick F.C.
The Ferrycarrig Park side have brought in Anthony Woulfe from Mayfield in Cork, who previously played with Cobh Ramblers, and Dean Broaders from Graiguenamanagh, while Danny Furlong is back, having missed most of last season through injury. The squad will have all of the players that completed last season which had a very youthful look about it.
