Local League of Ireland side Kildare County are preparing to take on Premier Division side Derry City in the Cup.
"It's our biggest home game ever, I'd say", said Decland Forde, Chairperson of the Kildare County FC Official Supporters Club about this Saturday's game versus Derry City FC. "All the fan's are looking forward to this. We beat Bohemians in the Cup a few years ago, so hopefully we can manage a similar upset this Saturday on home turf. Either way, it will be a great occasion".
Just five years old, Kildare County FC has not hosted a big Cup tie in Newbridge so far. However, that is not to say that the club has not made strides in the competition. The most memorable Cup moment for County fans would be the victory over Bohemians in Dalymount Park in a tense affair three seasons ago. Local sports fans will be hoping that their local side can repeat that Cup glory this season, but things have changed alot since then, explains Mark Phillips, Supporters Club PRO.
"Back then, we had a much bigger wage bill than today. We had lots of lads from Dublin playing for pretty decent money. Of course, that didn't work out; that's plain to see today. Today, the squad is starting to ave a local focus. The club is investing in local talent and this is very encouraging from a fan's point of view". Indeed, County have a wealth of Kildare's top soccer talent at their disposal. David O'Connell has signed from Naas club Sunday's Well. O'Connell, a centre-back, played for the Kildare County FC Under 21 team two years ago and has returned to national level soccer like a duck to water. Other local players in the County squad include Trevor Bowers, prolific with Coill Dubh as a striker, and Eoin Kavanagh who has been in the County team for a few years now. County's top-scorer, Ciaran Kilduff, hails from Kilcock whilst Colin Osbourne, a recent returnee, comes from North Kildare and is looking like a good asset in defence. Colin Murray of Leixlip has also become a regular in defence.
Phillips hopes that these new local players will lead to Kildare soccer fans taking notice and getting behind the team. "Kildare people wanted a League of Ireland club for years, and now they have one. It's time for some real support to follow. This team really does represent Kildare, and the Derry match offers us a chance to showcase our best young local talent. Kildare sport's fans have no excuse not to offer their support, and needless to say their support will be greatly appreciated. It could be a real cracker of a game this Saturday, so why not give it a shot."
Kildare County FC play Derry City this Saturday @ 2pm, in Station Road, Newbridge.
Early arrival advised due to large number of travelling fans expected from Derry.