Willow Park return to Leinster Senior League action tonight
Willow Park begin their new Leinster Senior League campaign on Friday night at home to Sacred Heart Firhouse Clover in DPD Park (kick off 7.30pm)
The Tallaght outfit were in the top division of the Leinster Senior League last campaign but were relegated and are likely to provide stiff opposition for Willow Park in their first game of their second season in Senior 1 Sunday, the second flight of the Leinster Senior League.
There is a new face at the helm this campaign in Philip Coffey, who has previously managed St Peter's and Tullamore Town FC amongst others, as well having a long stint as assistant manager with Longford Town in the League of Ireland.
Coffey is looking forward to the new campaign and says he is happy with the commitment and attitude over pre-season.
“In fairness to the lads, we've prepared very well. We are into our sixth week of pre-season and we have worked very hard, particularly on fitness and organisation.”
Coffey said the nature of the league was such that it could only be approached one game at a time. He said “to stabilise in the division” was the priority. However, it would be a challenge as there are a number of very good teams.
Last season, Willow Park's first at this level, after four successive promotions, saw the club survive with a last-day win over champions Lucan United, who will incidentally soon face Bohemians in the FAI Cup second round shortly.
There have been some changes in the playing personnel in the close-season. “We have brought in six or seven new players and we have the majority of players from last season, although a number have left too," Coffey said.
The full list of teams in the division is: Willow Park, Sacred Heart Firhouse Clover, St Patrick's CY, Edenderry Town, Cherry Orchard, Tolka Rovers, Kilbarrack United, Skerries Town, Swords Celtic, Colllinstown, Glenville, Greystones, UCD and St Francis FC.
After the game against Sacred Heart Firhouse Clover, Willow Park will travel to Edenderry Town for a midlands derby on Tuesday next, at Paddy Maloney Park with a 7.45pm kick off.