Coach Richie Abrams admits to being excited about what the coming National Premier Leagues season holds for his young team.   Abrams recently wrapped up the selection process for next year’s Under-18s and, with the squad now in place, he cannot wait for the serious work of pre-season to begin.

“Looking at the squad we have assembled it’s going to be a very exciting season,” said Abrams, who’ll be joined on the sidelines next year by new assistant Alex Carter.   “Some very good players have re-signed, some excellent juniors have stepped up and we have recruited very well indeed.   There is a real buzz around the group at the moment.”

“The football played during the trial period was of a very high quality and as we head into pre-season I’ll be looking forward to seeing the new lads bond with the existing player group.   We started with a strong list and we haven’t had to add many to it, but those we have added are of a very high quality.

2016 was a bit of a mixed bag for the Under-18s.   An inconsistent league campaign produced just six wins and two draws, giving Abram’s team tenth place on the competition ladder.   The shining light in their season was a superb Cup run that took them all the way to the final where they were denied silverware by Cockburn City.

“There is a sense of unfinished business,” commented Abrams.   “In 2017 we’ll be working closely with the players to get them into the Under-20s, and we’d like to win a trophy too.   Reaching the Under-18 Cup Final definitely whetted the appetite of the players and the coaching team and we’re determined to go that one step further next year.”

“I believe very strongly that we have the right group of players, led by captain Ben Doherty and vice-captain Kieran Paterson, to compete for honours next season.   The players will have to work hard to earn and hold starting spots and this will create a competitive environment which, I am sure, they will all enjoy and benefit from individually.”