'We have made some great additions to the team' | Wexford lay out their ambitions ahead of the season | Jess Lawton and Ciara Rossiter

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There's a lot and a bit of a different outlook this time, no going up to the season,

but what's for it, how are you settling in?

Yeah, not really good, it's been exciting, you know, that time of the season,

where everyone's trying to recruit and stuff.

So it's been good, but there's a good group there.

So nice to settle in, they're all really welcoming.

So I'm looking forward to the season head.

It's a really exciting time for Wexford in particular, you look at it, I suppose,

a really big fresh start with a lot of players that would have been at the club for years,

either retire and are moving away, and even management changing over.

Like, what does it like for you stepping in?

Does it feel like everyone's kind of finding their foot in there with this stage of the season?

Yeah, like it's good, because it's a good mix of the girls that have been there

and been there for quite a while, and then obviously new fresh board staff and players

as well that are going to add a lot to that.

So it was a bit of both to be fair.

Some people on the same page, but we still have the people to guide us to know exactly

what Wexford FC is all about.

And what was it, I suppose, the club in particular that attracted you to this new opportunity?

I think it was, there was a lot about it really to be fair.

They've been quite successful, I suppose, in the past as well,

but I suppose it was their vision into the future and what they want to do,

and even from a development aspect for me in my career too.

So they have a really good environment that I enjoy.

So that was kind of, it was hard to leave order for it, I'm not going to lie,

but sometimes those decisions have to be made.

You took on that success, obviously, made an all-in-one

and cop last year for Wexford.

Is the premise now that come into this season that one of those three trophies

on offer has to go to Wexford?

I think that has to be always a premise.

I think you always have to set that goal for yourself.

And look, we deal with that internally in the line of meetings and so on,

but manage expectations and that, but we be foolish,

shanaku out and look to be competing in all competitions.

So the fun part is that you won't have to wait long to go back to the Horsey,

the first game of the season, how are you looking forward to that?

Yeah, you couldn't write it, and I remember just before it made the decision,

I think it was two days before fixtures came out and I'd said to the girls,

and guaranteed the first game being the Horsey, and it is.

And look, it'll be nice to go back there.

I had great relationship with the players and the staff as well,

and they've been really, really good to me.

So I'm looking forward to getting back there.

It will be different, obviously, but it'll be a bit of sweet in a lot of ways.

So yeah.

I know it's obviously difficult for you to talk on this element of particular,

but obviously Kylie Murphy haven't left last year,

and he's a massive gap for the team.

But how does it, I suppose, this lock now trying to deal with that big shoes

that have to be filled?

Absolutely, look, I think, Kylie, everyone knows,

I might have already played in the league,

or you've been part of the league, everyone knew Kylie,

and she was a massive part of Wexford.

But what's really good about Kylie was she left that legacy,

and she taught people how to bring that along with her as well.

So she left it in a really, really good place,

and the players that are there and have been there for years,

like you're a rough season, and are employers, and so on.

They are well able to fill those shoes,

and that's what Kylie would want.

So no, it's a different dressing room,

but with all the good that Kylie has done,

that'll live on, I suppose, in the Wexford dressing room for years to come.

We can't, obviously, skip over the fact that both Ellen Maloy

and Deficelli have departed the club to massive midfielders for the team.

Like, how do you go about filling slots like that?

Obviously, there's a lot of energy and hope from a lot of the players

that they'll be able to fill that slot, but it is a massive ask.

Absolutely, look, you have to go on recruit players will make decisions,

but also will clubs too, so it's up to us to go and fill those gaps,

and don't worry, we're pushing, so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

And we will do that to the best of our ability,

but it's up to everyone to show that they can step up to that too.

All players have the ability to do it,

so I suppose it's just time for everyone to shine,

and also for us to recruit hard.

Absolutely, Jess, so thanks so much, and best luck with the league.

Thanks, William, thanks so much.

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Curraster.

Getting very close to the beginning of this season now.

How are you feeling?

Yeah, it's exciting.

Obviously, preseason has been very hard,

which is what we've asked for and what we want.

And we're getting plenty of running in.

But yeah, obviously the closer to season comes,

the more exciting it gets.

So I'm really looking forward for it to start now.

Is there a bit of a different atmosphere around the beginning of the season?

I'll see a lot of long-term departures in the club,

or the condoms out for the year.

Elamaloy's moved Shammer Grover,

and obviously Kylie Murphy retired at the end of last season.

How does that feel for you going back to camp now?

Yeah, we've lost a go-of-fume part of the players,

as well as the girls you just mentioned.

We've lost it for Kelly,

Mae Russell, Deli Laherty as well.

They're all hugely important players on the pitch,

but more importantly, after pitch, their personalities

brought a lot to the dressing room,

and I suppose that's something we're going to miss.

But we've made some great additions to the team.

And I suppose you can't let these things affect the dressing room too much.

But yeah, it's been really positive,

the vibe's been good.

And yes, as I said before,

it's quite exciting and we're looking forward to the start of the season there.

And how is obviously being a veteran player at the team yourself?

How is it, I suppose, welcoming in these new players

into a setup that they're maybe not too familiar with?

Does it feel like it's continuing on the progress

from last season, even on during new coaching management,

or does it feel like you're kind of starting from scratch?

I suppose, as you said, there is a massive change in the dressing room.

We've lost a lot of players,

but I think there's still a great core group of people

that have been there for years,

and I don't think we've ever had a problem welcoming people in.

I think it's a good atmosphere,

and the girls are great,

and I think it's very welcoming.

We've welcomed people up, open arms.

So yeah, I think it's absolutely fine, isn't it?

Obviously, your experience provides a massive presence in the dressing room

for a lot of these players,

but do you feel like there's even more of an onus on you now

to take responsibility for a lot of that sort of...

I suppose, encouraging the team and helping them improve

because of obviously the departure of those players?

Not necessarily, no, I don't think so.

I think Kylie, obviously, was an amazing captain

and she's a huge loss in her presence in dressing alone.

It's going to be a huge loss, but I think there's loads of senior players there

just loads of girls like Lauren Dwyer, Becky Casan,

Lauren Kelly, Rio Sullivan.

That's just a few to name.

I think even some of the younger girls have really matured

and have stepped up and become great leaders over the years as well for themselves.

I want to ask, obviously, new coach and staff,

Dave Connellin, Jess Lauten is also out here as well.

How does that, I suppose, for you feel...

You've had success last season with the All Island Cup,

probably hoping to kind of move on from that

and see even more success this year.

Does new coaching management just that bring a different style of play

for this season? Does it take a lot of new things to learn

or is it kind of almost very similar

just with different personnel?

No, I think, as I said, every manager has a different style of coaching

and different ways of playing and different ways of doing things overall.

So, yeah, of course, it will be different, but I think we've adapted very well

and they've settled in really well and they've made us feel comfortable

and I think, as I said earlier on, it's a really good atmosphere

and everyone's really looking forward to getting into games now

and hopefully having a good start of the season.

I mentioned previously, obviously, that All Island Cup success last year.

For you, where does that rank, I suppose, in terms of the more short-term memories

to experience alongside some of those players before they finished up?

Yeah, it was unbelievable, obviously, very sad known

that it may have been the last silverware you were going to win with some people

which is obviously how I break and considering those guys have been a little bit of an experience

for as long as I can remember

and think that you're not going to win anything with them again.

Obviously, it's very how I break and look.

Yeah, it's great to, I suppose, we haven't won anything since I think 2021

so it was really nice to finish on a high for those guys

and come into the season on a high as well.

Obviously, no one let we have silverware in our pocket from last year

I think it's a good boost to start.

How much I suppose, like, how important is it rather

that you look at the three trophies that are on after the season

and one of those has to come back to Oxford?

Yeah, obviously, we'd love to get our hands on a trophy,

but as I said, we are in a rebuilding area, so yeah, I suppose that's going to be our aim.

It's going to be everyone's aim to come home with silverware at the end of the season,

but I suppose we just have to focus on game by game,

I think that's the most important thing to get three points in a game

and then cook games, obviously, win in those games.

So I think we're just going to take a day by day game by game

and, yeah, hope for the three points at the end of it.

Obviously, what for the first game of the season?

You've obviously been down to the RSC already from last year.

They've well have had a good amount of experience

since those last few games.

You got the victories, but by no means were they easy when you did that.

Like, how would you feel with this being the season opener?

Yeah, absolutely not. It's not going to be an easy game at all.

I think what for our excellent team, considering they're only in the league a year,

I thought that pain against some last season was really, really tough games.

Like, there's no game in the league now that's considered an easy game.

I think the standard is excellent and playing what for the way that atmosphere

that the RSC brings, they get great crowd, a great home sport

which is brilliant to see for the women's games as well.

So, yeah, it's going to be a really tough game.

I think they're really going to put it up to us and, yeah, it's not going to be easy.

Absolutely. Kia Raster, thank you so much for a better look with this season ahead.

Thanks very much.