Wexford People

The big kick-off this weekend

Two-horse race likely between North End and Rangers

THE 2024-’25 Wexford Football League season kicks off at the weekend as adult and youth teams throughout the county set out on the long journey in search of silverware.

Gorey Rangers, who captured the Premier Division crown for the first time in 2023, but surrendere­d their title to fierce rivals North End United last term, will be hoping to wrest the trophy back from the 17-times top-flight champions, in what looks a two-horse race once again.

The north county side also suffered the heartbreak of a penalty shoot-out defeat to Cockhill Celtic in the FAI Junior Cup final in what was ultimately a frustratin­g campaign.

They will be determined to put things right this time around, although it won’t be easy to knock the Wexford town crew off of their perch.

Wexford Cup winners Forth Celtic were best of the rest back in third place last season, but the Murrintown crew finished 16 points behind the Sky Blues, with fourthplac­ed Moyne Rangers a further ten points adrift, and it’s highly unlikely that any of the chasing pack would be able to bridge that giant chasm.

Crossabeg AFC, Ferns United, Bunclody and Shamrock Rovers filled fifth to eighth places in that order last term, and they will be hoping to match or improve their positions this time around.

Wexford Bohemians endured a tough league campaign, but their run to the LFA Junior Cup final illustrate­d what they are capable of, and if they can find some consistenc­y on the home front they could trouble one or two of the big guns.

Former kingpins and last season’s Division 1 champions New Ross Celtic are back where they feel they belong, and they will be determined to consolidat­e their position in the top flight of Wexford football.

Meanwhile, All Blacks take their place in the top division for the first time and, while it will be a big step up for the Mayglass side, they are sure to enjoy the adventure and relish the searching tests that lie ahead.

ADULT FIXTURES

SUN. SEPT. 1

Premier Division: Forth Celtic v. New Ross Celtic, 11.00; Shamrock Rovers v. Gorey Rangers, 11.00; North

End United v. Ferns United, 11.00.

Division 1: Ajax Athletic v. St. Joseph’s, 11.00; Gorey Rangers v. Kilmore United, 11.00; Courtown Hibs v. North End United, 11.00; Shelburne United v. Campile United, 11.00.

Division 2: Bridge Rovers v. Camolin Celtic, 11.00; Wexford Bohemians v. Curracloe United, 11.00; Ballymurn Celtic v. Cloughbawn AFC, 11.00; Enniscorth­y United v. Forth Celtic, 1.30.

Division 3: Bree United v. Wexford Celtic, 11.00; Bunclody v. Shamrock Rovers, 11.00; Duncannon v. St. Leonards, 11.00; Killenagh Wanderers v. New Ross Town, 11.00; Gorey Celtic v. Adamstown, 11.00.

Division 3A: Moyne Rangers v. Gorey Rangers, 11.00; Blackwater v. Crossabeg AFC, 11.00; Rosslare Strand v. Fethard Rangers, 11.00; Glynn Barntown v. Enniscorth­y United, 11.00; Enniscorth­y Town v. Ferns United, 1.30.

Division 4: Cushinstow­n v. New Ross Celtic, 11.00; St. Cormac’s v. Forth Celtic, 11.00; The Ballagh United v. Camolin Celtic, 11.00; Kiltealy Celtic v. Shelburne United, 1.30; Carne FC v. Curracloe United, 1.30.

Division 4A: Rosbercon United v. Ferns United, 11.00; Campile United v. Fastnet Rovers, 11.00; Bridge Rovers v. Gorey Celtic, 1.30; St. Joseph’s v. Kilmore United, 1.30; Wexford Bohemians v. Caim United, 1.30.

Division 5: Ajax Athletic v. St. Leonards, 1.30; All Blacks v. Taghmon United, 1.30; Tombrack United v. Shamrock Rovers, 1.30; Corach Ramblers v. Gorey Rangers, 1.30; Rathnure United v. Adamstown, 1.30; Bree United v. Castledock­rell Newpark United, 1.30; Wexford Celtic v. Camolin Celtic, 1.30.

YOUTHS FIXTURES

SAT. AUG. 31

Youths Premier Division: Gorey Rangers v. Shamrock Rovers, 11.00; Camolin Celtic v. North End United, 11.00; Forth Celtic v. New Ross Town, 11.00.

Youths Division 1: Glynn Barntown v. Wexford Celtic, 11.00; Rosslare Strand v. Kilmore United, 11.00.

Youths Division 2: Campile United v. New Ross Celtic, 11.00; Corach Ramblers v. Cushinstow­n, 11.00.

Youths Division 3: Courtown Hibs v. St. Cormac’s, 11.00; Ferns United v. Gorey Celtic, 11.00; Tombrack United v. Castledock­rell Newpark United, 11.00.

Youths Division 4: Bree United v. St. Joseph’s, 11.00; Enniscorth­y Town v. Curracloe United, 11.00; Oylegate United v. Killenagh Wanderers, 11.00.

Youths Division 5: Gorey Rangers v. Cloughbawn AFC, 2.00; North End United v. Forth Celtic, 2.00; Ajax Athletic v. Killenagh Wanderers, 2.00.