Joe Manley signs for Wexford

Longford Town FC's Joe Manley, shields the ball from Adam Foley of Finn Harps, during the Longford Town v Finn Harps, SSE Airtricity Premier Division match at Bishops Gate, Longford.

Longford Town FC's Joe Manley, shields the ball from Adam Foley of Finn Harps, during the Longford Town v Finn Harps, SSE Airtricity Premier Division match at Bishops Gate, Longford. Credit: Gerry Shanahan (ETPhotos)

Wexford FC have bolstered their defence with the addition of centre half Joe Manley. The 22 year old joins Ian Ryan’s squad having spent the 2021 season at Longford Town, where he played alongside his brother Rob. Home Farm was where the younger Manley brother began his career before joining UCD for whom he debuted in a Leinster Senior Cup game against Drogheda United in 2017.

Playing alongside Manley that day was his new Wexford teammate Conor Crowley, while recent recruits to Ferrycarrig Park Conor Davis and Aaron Dobbs shared the Bishopsgate dressing room with him last season. Manley will form part of the Wexford rearguard this season alongside another ex colleague in the shape of Paul Cleary with whom he played with at St Patrick’s Athletic in 2018. 

Having won promotion to the Premier Division with Longford Town in 2020, Manley is the second member of the Wexford defence to achieve this feat- Lorcan Fitzgerald having experienced similar at Shelbourne in both 2011 and 2019, while manager Ryan is also a First Division winner having lifted the league trophy with Dundalk in 2008.

    About Tom O'Connor

    Dundalk based reporter following the league since Monaghan United’s goalless draw against Athlone Town in 1996. Special interest in education and underage football. Shortlisted for the 2018 FAI Communications Award for series on Life beyond … View Full Profile