A first SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division title since 2018 will be the aim for Wexford as they use this season as a fresh start.
Dave Connell is in the dug-out after finishing up as Head Coach with the Ireland Women's Under-19s, where he enjoyed tremendous success that included qualification to two different UEFA European Championship finals tournaments.
Connell replaces Sean Byrne, who guided the Leinster outfit to fourth in the league, and he has shaped a new-look squad that includes former Shelbourne midfielder Megan Smyth-Lynch and ex-Waterford defender Lauren Walsh, who should prove to be shrewd signings.
Also coming in are Devon Olive from Penn State University, Emma Bucci from the University of South Carolina, Kayla Gonçalves from Vancouver Rise FC, and Courtney Chochol from Quinnipiac University - all of whom are newcomers to the league.
The return of defender Grace Fitzpatrick-Ryan after missing the 2025 season due to an ACL injury is most welcome and she could step up to fill the slot left by Della Doherty, who left to rejoin Peamount United.
Wexford will also be without Clara Maher, Meabh Russell, Aoife Kelly, Charlotte Cromack, Ellen Molloy, and former captain Kylie Murphy. But they do still have veterans Lauren Dwyer and Ciara Rossiter.
The 2026 SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division season starts on Saturday, March 14th when they travel Waterford for their first competitive game of the year.
The big question is whether Connell can bring success back to Ferrycarrig Park with so many changes having taken place.
Head Coach: Dave Connell
Key Player: Megan Smyth-Lynch
One to Watch: Leah McGrath
