Story of the Season 2025/26: The Premiers

Seaford Premiers Team of the Season, based on minutes played

Manager: Barry Kirwan
Assistant: Mate Salacan

Top Goalscorer : Jack Keegan, Niall Holleran (5)
Most Assists : Niall Holleran (4)
Player of the Year: Rory Carberry

Goal of the Season: Carlos Monserrat v Ballyoulster United

​Seaford’s second team. battled hard, and made dramatic improvement during the second half of the season, but ended up being relegated by the narrowest of margins after three seasons in Major 1C.

Baz Kirwan’s side got off to a flying start by beating a highly talented young Mount Merrion side on the opening-day sunshine at Rockfield Park with  Shane Halpin scoring the crucial goal, the stalwart making a fine start to the season with three goals in four.

But the Penguins’ early optimism was quickly punctured by a losing streak that ended up extending to nine matches, which included a few thrashings against the likes of Montpelier and Dublin University. 

However, towards Christmas the performance levels were on a gradual upward trajectory , even if the side couldn’t quite manage to convert them into results, being desperately unlucky not to pick something up away at Oliver Bond or at home against MP.

Rooted to the foot of the table, the breakthrough finally arrived with a famous win away at Ballyoulster in January,  with Niall Holleran’s brace helping Seaford to a 2-4 win.

Playing with much more confidence now, Seaford started chasing down their relegation rivals with a terrific comeback draw at Castleknock and a dominant win over Dublin University, which left them with a great shot at safety.

Back-to-back fixtures against Pegasus were vital, and the luckless Penguins lost both, being especially aggrieved in the away match that Mate Salacan’s free knock was awarded as a goal in the dying stages. 

There was still chance for one last shot at salvation, in the do-or-die finale against direct rivals Newbridge Town. Finding themselves two down during the first half, Baz’s boys showed guys in abundance to fight back and secure an unforgettable 3-2 win courtesy of Danny Walsh’s late winner.

Heartbreakingly though, Newbridge managed to pull themselves out of the soup in their final game, beating champions Montpelier to relegate Seaford on goal difference.

A sad conclusion for a team featuring a number of talented teenagers making their first forays into men’s football. At times they found themselves slightly out of their depth in a strong division, but they can be proud of the fight shown and how close they came.