By Gerard Mulreaney
New Wexford FC U-17 manager Billy Molloy is looking forward to getting the season underway after taking over from the departed Derek O’Brien in the off-season. O’Brien has moved on to take over Waterford’s U-15’s.
Molloy 36, has moved up from the clubs own U-15 team following a very successful campaign in 2017.
He’s had a steady rise to his own coaching career, having gone down that route at the very young age of 25 in 2007 with Gorey Rangers.
From there he got involved with the Wexford League County Youths before eventually Wexford Youths, as they were then known, came calling. An offer to coach at the Elite underage level with the clubs U-17’s, ahead the new U-17 National League being launched, was just too good to turn down. After a successful season at U-17 level Molloy got promoted to manager of the U-19’s.
Billy takes it up from here, “The season with the U-19’s was one of two halves, the first very poor, the second very positive. Several players made the breakthrough into the 1st team squad, while the season ended with a shield semi-final defeat on penalties to eventual winners Limerick. I thoroughly enjoyed my role with the U-19’s, and I had an excellent relationship with the 1st team manager Shane Keegan (now manager at Galway United) and I was happy in the position, but the new U-15’s Elite National League was on the horizon and I fancied it. I approached the club with my thoughts on it, the importance and significance of us getting it right with the team being the foundation of the club going forward. Thankfully they agreed, and moved me back down.”
“This also allowed me to return to Gorey Rangers U-15’s and to take charge until the 15’s National League kicked off, a move that allowed me keep a close eye on that age group around the county. It was a brilliant year, with the team winning an historic never before achieved treble and many of the players are still with me now at Wexford.”
The inaugural U-15 National League had a shortened season in 2017 but for Billy and his side it was bittersweet, “We had a very successful year with the U-15’s last year. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, even though it ended in cruel circumstances (losing to a late goal in a 2-1 loss to Bray Wanderers in the playoffs). We wanted more, we felt we deserved more but that’s football. We learn from it and we move on, only looking forwards. I’m really looking forward to the season ahead with the U-17’s. For me it’s a very exciting project.”
The underage structure in the League of Ireland, with leagues at U-19, U-17, U-15 & the upcoming U-13 league, have been well received by many in the game here, and when asked his opinion on it Molloy had some interesting points. He said, “To be honest my opinion on the underage structure is a little mixed. It’s fine in places like Dublin where they play week in week out, have fantastic facilities and huge support. It’s very competitive too. Counties like Wexford are not in such a healthy state.”
“Players play in their own age group at best every 2nd week. Teams can go up to 6 or 7 weeks without a game. Facilities are not good enough, especially the pitches. There is not one full size Astro Pitch in the whole county, it’s shocking.”
“However, that’s why the U-15’s and U-17’s Elite National League is so important to us, the 13s will be even better for us. We will keep our best players in Wexford, representing Wexford and playing against the top players in the country with a Wexford Jersey on their back. They will play week in week out in the best grounds on the best pitches. It will help us keep the young boys here. Too many of our best players have been going up the N11 and it’s hard to argue with their reasoning. Not any more though, Wexford has fabulous footballers and it’s up to us to convince them that Wexford is where they should be.”
With the start of the league only weeks away Billy and his side have been ramping things up as they get set for a long campaign. They’ve been busy with team-bonding sessions along with some pre-season friendlies before the squad head away for a short trip to France. He said, “Plans are progressing well for the 2018 season. We have finalised the squad and are very happy with it. It’s a very young squad, 14 are underage for 2 years and 6 are up on the age. It’s a really well balanced squad. We have a weeks training under our belts now and played 2 games this weekend giving almost 2 different sides a full 90 minutes. We played Greystones DDSL side (a game they won 3-0) and St. Patrick’s Athletic (which finished 1-1). I love playing Pats, for me personally they are the benchmark at underage level. They are consistently very good and they coach players to play the game the right way.”
Having coached the U-15’s last year Billy is perfectly placed to assess some players that he thinks could make the step-up to the U-17 league. It’s always difficult to know which player will progress but he’s looking forward to the challenge, “I have 10 of last years U-15’s squad in this years U-17’s. Whether it’s difficult or not to make the step up for me depends on the individual. I had 16 moving up, 2 decided to play other sports, I released 4 that I felt were just not ready to move up an compete.”
“It’s difficult. It’s difficult for me and it must be extremely difficult for them, they gave me everything. Having said that if your good enough the age doesn’t matter to me. I brought in 4 boys that played U-15s with other League of Ireland clubs last year, 4 I really wanted and boys I though were good enough to compete. The remaining 6 players in the squad are the boys up on the age.”
The one great thing about Wexford in particular is that Senior Manager Damian Locke (pictured above) has no qualms about playing a young player if he’s good enough, so any youngster knows that if he performs he’ll get his chance, something young players at other clubs may not get. Molloy agrees with that saying, “Damian and the club will give any player that deserves it first-team opportunities. As I stated, if a player is good enough he is old enough. There is a pathway to the first team at Wexford FC and it’s something we are proud of. Attitude, Application and Football Ability will always be recognised, given a chance to flourish and challenged with opportunities when the time is right.”
While results are important, Molloy knows that at this level it’s about development first and foremost, and he takes great pride when he sees players succeed,“I personally take so much pleasure in seeing players progress. I want to win matches and trophies. I don’t hide my passion and desire for victory but it’s second on the list of priorities. Development of players is top of the list. There are several players currently in the first team that I’m extremely proud I signed to the club at the U-17’s and U-19’s level. I am proud to have coached these players along with others that have gone on to greater pastures. This current crop of U-17’s though are the ones to keep an eye on.”
Photo Credit: Wexford FC
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