The changing face of Irish football is reflected in the entry of a team from Wexford in the eircom National League for the upcoming season.

The FAI have approved of the application of Wexford Youths FC – a club that is under the control of developer Michael Wallace, an enthusiastic football supporter.

They will compete in the First Division of the eircom League and bring senior competitive football to the extreme South-East corner of the country for the first time.

The clubs nearest to the newcomers from Wexford are well established at this level with Waterford United the latest of a long succession of different management groups who have inherited a rich history of success at national league level.

Kilkenny City have also contributed to the growth of football in the area,  their involvement largely been confined to first division competition.

The arrival of a club led by Mr. Wallace to the National League is not un-expected. He has been a supporter of Pat Dolan when he successfully managed St. Patrick’s Athletic and Cork City in the Premier Division and he has done much work in Wexford for under-age football.

It is expected the pair will work in tandem to get Wexford Youths established with Mr. Wallace acting as manager on this occasion and Pat Dolan giving him the benefit of his experience.

He intends to build a 1,600 seat stand at their home ground as soon as planning permission is forthcoming from Wexford County Council.

Wexford Youths FC should have no problem in bringing players forward for the club has enjoyed remarkable success at under-age level with their teams contesting six semi-finals, four finals and achieving two successes at national level in past nine years.

They currently have 34 players in training in preparation for their debut in the national league and 27 of those have come through the club’s under-age ranks.

The FAI Licensing Department are currently examining applications to fill the one remaining opening in the first division for the new season.

A group named Limerick 37 have applied to fill the vacancy by Limerick FC and officials are currently working on that.

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