North End crowned Wexford Premier Division League champions for 2024

Gorey Rangers 1-2 North End United

North End United were crowned Wexford League Premier Division champions again as they wrestled the title back from Gorey Rangers this season after a tense affair in Ramstown this morning…

Rangers weren’t going to give up their crown without a fight and they were much the better side in the first half taking the lead through a Gavin O’Brien penalty. It was no less than Rangers deserved as they had dominated the ball in the opening exchanges.

There was only one other chance of note in the first half and it fell to North End. A wide free kick was delivered into the box and first Conor Casserly got an important touch to take it off a North End head which was followed by brave defending from Ryan Cullen at the back post to deny North End an equaliser.

It was an extremely cagey first half with both defences well on top and most of the action in the middle of the park.

The winning North End United team for 2023-2024.

The second half was very similar with Rangers on top and creating chances to extend their lead. Paul Brennan had two good chances saved by Jason Maguire in the North End net. Conor Casserly also drove down the right wing and flashed a great ball across the box that was just begging for a Rangers attacker to fire home but it evaded everyone. The game changed on 70 minutes.

A short corner routine for North End almost yielded the perfect result as the ball was played in low to Paul “Spot” Murphy who flicked the ball into the air and unleashed a vicious half volley with his left foot that rattled the crossbar after it looked like the Rangers defender helped it on its way there.

The following corner did see North End get their first goal. A great ball whipped in and Spot Murphy rose highest at the back post to head it home. It felt inevitable that North End would go on to win from here.

However, Rangers nearly regained the lead as a mix-up in the North End backline with their keeper nearly allowed Paul Brennan to sneak in and get himself on the scoresheet but again Maguire was there to make up for his error and deny him a goal that his performance deserved. Rangers task was made even harder when they were reduced to 10 men as substitute Mark Woods was sent off by referee Alan Franklin for dissent.

With 10 minutes to go, North End managed to get themselves in front as Cian Carty McManus whipped in a great ball from the left and Eoin Rhodes made an excellent run to lose his man and produce a beautiful glancing header to fire North End in front and to touching distance of the trophy.

The drama didn’t end there as Rangers were reduced to 9 men as Mick Molloy was sent off for violent conduct. To their credit, they gave it a right go in the remaining minutes as they looked to get an equaliser to save their season, but it wasn’t to be for the men in red and black.

Congratulations to North End United 2023/24 Wexford Premier Division champions.