Of course you have to bear in mind I have a horrible record with making these predictions and struggle to get them right with any sort of consistency so don't worry if I don't predict silverware for your team
Premier Division
As we hit the Christmas break, it wasn't the top of the table that supporters were watching but the bottom where Benfica sat with no points from their five games, such an unlikely scenario that no one would have bet on it at the start of the season. Lack of numbers are to blame as the Waterford side have traveled to several games and have paid the ultimate price and against all the odds, they bowed out of the MMI Wexford Cup to Division Three side Fastnet Rovers. This is a situation that is not likely to remain and Benfica could still have a major impact on where the league title eventually ends up and there is no doubt that they will make a massive effort to pull themselves away from the relegation spot.
Credit must be given to the teams at the top of the table and Adamstown have showed great character to put themselves a point clear going into the break, only losing the one game, a 1-5 defeat at home to Ferns. Title holders Ferns have won all three games they have played to date and it is very difficult to bet against them retaining their title and have looked more than comfortable in the games they have played so far
Seaview are also enjoying their season and are unbeaten to date although they have drawn two games which could prove costly as we close in on the end of the season. However, as predicted they are a club who are beginning to show the benefits of their underage structure and are closing the gap on the top sides each season. They have two big games coming up in the next month as they face Ferns in the Wexford Cup on January 15th and then again in the Premier One Shield Final a few weeks later.
East End struggled at the start of the season but have made up ground in recent weeks and are still in the hunt for medals although they will need to beat Ferns twice to give themselves any chance of winning back the title they won in 2015
A young Curracloe side are doing well in their first season back in the top flight and are definitely another team to watch for the future if they can put sufficient numbers on the field on a regular basis but are they definitely good enough to compete in this division
Prediction: Ferns United
Adamstown FC 5 3 1 1 10
Ferns United 3 3 0 0 9
Seaview United 4 2 2 0 8
East End United 5 2 1 2 7
Curracloe United 4 1 0 3 3
Benfica LFC 5 0 0 5 0
Division One
This division is practically over and it really is only a matter or time before North End pick up the four points required to clinch the title. They have looked untouchable all season and six wins from six wins in any division is impressive and while they have been racing away with the division, any one of the five teams behind them are all taking points off each other.
Only five points divide second place and relegation and any of the teams when on form can clinch that second promotion spot but at the same time have to be careful not to find themselves dragged into a battle against the drop
At the moment All Blacks look to be the favourites but Piltown cannot be ruled out. Bree have games in hand while Corach and Kilmore can, and have, produced important performances in vital games so while I have no problem predicting North End for the title it is impossible to predict what will happen in the remaining positions
Prediction: North End United
North End United 6 6 0 0 18
All Blacks 6 3 0 3 9
Piltown FC 6 2 1 3 7
Bree United 4 1 1 2 4
Corach Ramblers 5 1 1 3 4
Kilmore United 5 1 1 3 4
Division Two A
Heading towards the break, Cloughbawn were hot favourites to win this division but a disastrous 10-2 defeat away to Camolin threw this already very competitive division wide open. St Josephs and St Leonards have both showed great character and resilience in this division and both sides are ready to step up if Cloughbawn, who are still favourites, slip up again.
If Camolin can keep up their form that saw them beat Cloughbawn, they can cause problems in the division and cannot be ruled out as potential title contenders themselves.
Moyne are struggling to get numbers on the pitch but when they do, they are as good as anyone in the division although they have probably gave themselves too much to do to launch a serious tilt at the title at this stage
New Ross Town are in a rebuilding stage and have a very young squad, coupled with a great underage structure in the club, they are a club with a great future
Prediction: Cloughbawn AFC
St Josephs 7 4 2 1 14
Cloughbawn AFC 5 4 0 1 12
St Leonards 6 3 2 1 11
Moyne Rangers 6 2 0 4 6
Camolin Celtic 4 1 1 2 4
New Ross Town 6 0 1 5 1
Division Two B
Only one point divides the top three in this division but it is Bunclody who have the slightest advantage as they are currently unbeaten and lead by a point. The next meeting between Bunclody and Hibs will have a major bearing on where the title ends up as obviously a win for either would put them in the driving seat and a draw would let Seaview right back into the mix. Rosslare Rangers cannot be ruled out just yet but do need to win some of the important games coming up in the new year while both Shelburne and Wexford Bohs have been shown improvement all season and can take points off some of the top teams as the season nears a conclusion
Prediction: Bunclody AFC
Bunclody AFC 7 6 1 0 19
Courtown Hibs 7 6 0 1 18
Seaview United “B” 8 6 0 2 18
Rosslare Rangers 7 4 1 2 13
Shelburne AFC 7 3 0 4 9
Wexford Bohs 6 2 0 4 6
**Arklow Town 12 0 0 12 0
Division Three
Stoney and Tombrack are deadlocked at the top of this division and both are unbeaten at the halfway stage and while it would seem that this division is now between these two, anyone of the other five teams are capable of taking points of either of the leaders. Both have had to work hard to achieve their five wins and the draw between the two sides was an intense battle where a point each was probably a fair result in the end. Fastnet got off to a bad start but have made up ground since and of course have that famous cup win over Benfica to add to their seasons achievements while Bridge Rovers young side are well capable of producing match winning performances. St Cormacs and Ajax have made some good signings in recent months while Cushinstown are enjoying one of their better seasons to date
Prediction: For obvious reasons (manager of one of the teams involved), I am not going to make a prediction in this division only that both Tombrack and Stoney will still be in the running as we get get near the season's end
Stoney LFC 6 5 1 0 16
Tombrack United 6 5 1 0 16
Bridge Rovers 7 3 0 4 9
Fastnet Rovers 6 3 0 3 9
St Cormacs 6 3 0 3 9
Cushinstown AFC 7 2 1 4 7
Ajax Athletic 7 0 1 6 1
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