*James Tierney is among the new additions for Ennis Dons FC.
STRONG RECRUITMENT has Ennis Dons FC in a healthy state as they prepare to kick off a historic first season in the Maloney Hardware Premier Division.
Promoted to the First Division in June 2023, Ennis Dons take their first steps as a Premier Division outfit this weekend when making the trip to Sixmilebridge on Saturday evening to face Bridge Utd.
Dons manager Declan Ensko said the growth of the club in a short period of time is a source of immense pride. “It’s historic because the club was founded as a place where friends could get together on a weekend and just play football seven years ago. It has evolved into a huge organisation with three teams, we’ve a men’s A and B team and for the first time this season the club is fielding a ladies team. It is absolutely phenomenal to see the progress that has been achieved in a small space of time”.
Over recent seasons clubs have struggled to adapt to the Premier Division after winning promotion from the First Division. The quality of players that Ennis Dons have signed during their off-season will assist their transition to the top flight. “We’ve recruited very well. We have brought in experienced players to the team that have medals in their pockets. Our overall aim is to stay in the Premier Division and certainly the recruitment has aided with that”.
Philip Talty a talented winger who had been a regular starter with Avenue up to two seasons ago is a big addition to the Dons. Stephen Jordan who started alongside Talty on the Avenue side to win the Premier Division in 2022, their first in nine years has also joined their ranks along with the goalkeeper of that side, James Tierney of Corofin. Emmanuel Obadeyi and Ethan Cronin have also both signed from Lifford.
Having taken over the reigns as manager last November, Declan is in the hotseat from the beginning of the season this time round. “I took over in November and retired from playing at the time, I found the transition from playing to managing difficult at the time, I was half thinking I could go on the pitch and help but the reason I had retired was I wasn’t getting game-time and that was for good reason. I had coached in Ennis Town FC for years from the academy to the youths to the men’s team but I had been playing too, I found it difficult at the beginning to transition to just managing”.
A former full-back with Ennis Town FC, he lined out with the club since its inception and spent a brief four month stint with Hermitage FC in 2013 before returning to Ennis Town. When the club no longer fielded an adult side, he joined Ennis Dons.
Ensko has noticed a change in the top flight now from when he was playing in the Premier with Ennis Town. “The top flight I feel has changed in terms of age profile. The age of a lot of the Premier players has come down, when I was with Ennis Town you were looking to Darryl Eade, Stephen Hickey, Gary Collins and Ricky Neylon who were in their early thirties which is what I am now. Now the age profile of most teams is mid to early twenties predominantly”.
More town derbies for Ennis clubs in the top flight is positive, the Sales Manager with Hustle Fitness noted. “I think it is great there is more town derbies, Ennis is such a stronghold of Clare football, it is great to see Fair Green come up with us. Avenue are a powerhouse and Lifford have done incredibly well in the last few seasos since they have been promoted. Avenue have three adult teams, Ennis Dons are now playing with two adult sides, Fair Green have a strong side and Lifford are competing so it is fantastic really and it is a fantastic mix”.
Now that they have reached the Premier Division, Ennis Dons are determined to make their mark. “We couldn’t have asked for a tougher start really. The first game of the League Cup was against Avenue and now our first game of the league is away to Bridge Utd, they were the two teams who went down to the wire to decide the Premier Division last season but we are relishing the opportunity. We will go out and be accounted for, we’ll make sure we’re not just making up the numbers abnd try build on our results as we go”.
Ennis Dons FC Factfile
Management: Declan Ensko (manager), Deccy Cassidy, Cillian Murphy, Fergus Lyons.
Captain: Alex Akujobi
Key Player: Philip Talty
One to watch: Kosi Ugwueru
Fresh blood: James Tierney (signed from Avenue Utd), Ethan Cronin (signed from Lifford AFC), Emmauel Obadeyi (signed from Lifford AFC), Stephen Jordan (signed from Avenue Utd), Kaylan O’Loughlin (signed from Fair Green Celtic), Kosi Ugwueru, Philip Talty (signed from Avenue Utd), Conor O’Halloran, Vincent Onouha.
Departures Gate: None
Treatment table: Conor O’Halloran (ACL), Fergus Lyons (ACL).
Last year’s run: Promoted from First Division, defeated by Fern Celtic in last sixteen of Clare Cup.
