Wide open race for the Division 1 title
The FAI Delegation with the Corach Ramblers Youths team during their visit to the club during last week's Festival of Football.
Wednesday August 25 2010
AJAX ATHLETIC failed to get the rub of the green on their return to the top flight and made an immediate return to Division 1.
It was devastating for the Enniscorthy town side, once the kingpins of domestic soccer, to have failed to take full advantage of their return to the Premier Division.
They struggled all season, finishing with just a total of 13 points and a meagre three wins, which demonstrates the problems at this once proud club.
Unless they have strengthened their squad they could find life difficult in Division 1, where they will also be competing with Rosslare Rangers, also demoted from the Premier with just 14 points and four wins. Given the under-age structure and development at the Rosslare club it was surprising to see them experience such a difficult campaign, but they will be one of the favourites to take the Division 1 title and make an immediate return to top flight soccer where they rightly belong.
Another club with an eye on the title will be New Ross Town, who just missed out last season on 39 points, finishing in fourth spot.
They will be anxious to compensate for this miss with a more consistent campaign which should they achieve will put them up there as serious title contenders.
All Blacks, another side whose inconsistency cost them, leaving them in fifth spot, will be seeking a more consistent season, particularly midway through, to figure in the promotion shake-up.
With a fit again Paul Murphy up front it will be surprising should they fail to figure.
Sides like Curracloe United, Wexford Bohs and St. Leonards are others capable of making a push, but their lack of quality through the side always seems a problem come the crucial stage of the league campaign.
Gorey Rangers, relegated from the Premier flight, will be anxious to regain their status and could very well prove the surprise side of the division, while Bridge Rovers and Curracloe United should they have full squads to choose from, are capable of being in the mix, as will Campile United now that they will have all their GAA players available.
So right now it looks as if Gorey Rangers, Campile United, New Ross Town and Rosslare Rangers will be the sides to battle it out at the top, with All Blacks the most likely side of the others to push their way towards a promotion challenge.
