WHEN I saw that four Dublin-based Non-League clubs were playing on four consecutive days in the national FA of Ireland Cup, it was too good a groundhopping opportunity for me to miss.
Particularly as I was born in Dublin into an Irish family. Although I haven’t resided there since I was a young child.
Furthermore, it is currently an exciting time for Non-League football in the Emerald Isle because a revolutionary pyramid structure beneath the main League of Ireland is being discussed. It will be similar to the National League System in England.
The four clubs I pinpointed are members of the Leinster Senior League - a regionalised ‘Intermediate’ status competition.
In addition, they all possess extensive community links due to fielding numerous youth teams every week for local boys and girls.
So I booked my flights, hotel accommodation and hire car. The Thursday afternoon flight over to Ireland landed an hour late but I still had plenty of time to check in at the hotel, have something to eat and then head for my first match.
Wayside Celtic 4-0 River Valley Rangers
- When: Thursday 15th May 2025
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- Where: Jackson Park, Glenamuck Road-South, Kilternan, Dublin 18.
- Competition: Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup First Round
- Attendance: 105
Nestled at the foot of the Dublin Mountains. I particularly liked the elevated press box gantry entitled ‘The Letter Box’ accessed via a steep staircase.
I talked at length with Wayside Celtic treasurer Harry Traynor who spoke very proudly about his club.
A totally unique Celtic versus Rangers affair to titillate those enjoying football betting knowledge! Wayside proved too strong on the night against opponents from near Dublin Airport.
The homesters racked up goals by Eimhin Boylan (33 minutes), Cormac Kelly (40 mins), Luke Clucas (58 mins) and a Conor Fagan own goal (66 mins).
Crumlin United 4-2 Lucan United
- When: Friday 16th May 2025
- Kick-off: 8pm
- Where: Blakes Astro, Pearse Park, Windmill Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12
- Competition: Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup First Round
- Attendance: 86
It was particular poignant for me to watch a match in Crumlin because it was one of the places I lived in before my family moved to London. Nowadays, Crumlin United’s pitch is directly behind the local swimming pool.
When I arrived an hour prior to kick-off, the car park was absolutely rammed full. I quickly realised that scores of children were relishing training sessions on the artificial playing surface.
Once they all left, I was able to park up. Inside the ground, I loved the two unusual grandstands offering 30 seats each under cover. These looked like converted shipping containers.
Crumlin United had signs on display relating to their excellent youth partnership with top League of Ireland club Shamrock Rovers. I even spotted photos of Irish footballing hero Robbie Keane recognising he began his career at Crumlin United aged 10 years old.
A six goal thriller confounding those holding sports betting interests. The marksmen for Crumlin United were Aidan Friel (6 minutes), Reece Kavanagh two (24 & 90+4 minutes) and Sam O’Donohoe (50 mins).
Kavanagh’s second effort deep into injury time was blasted into an empty net from long distance after the Lucan United goalkeeper had pushed forward for a set play.
This prompted wild celebrations amongst the crowd. Incidentally having travelled 10 miles from west to south Dublin, visitors Lucan United’s strikes came courtesy of Mark Byrne (32 mins) and Ollie Kendrick (66 mins).
St Mochta's 4-0 Douglas Hall
- When: Saturday 17th May 2025
- Kick-off: 3.30pm
- Where: Porterstown Road, Porterstown, Dublin 15
- Competition: Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup First Round
- Attendance: 120
Located on a winding lane. There is raised banking along one side of the pitch complemented by some uncovered seating.
Douglas Hall made the 160 mile trip up from Cork but couldn’t contain dominant St Mochta’s. The goals arrived through Dylan Atanda (5 minutes), Karl Chambers (29 mins), Liam Brady (61 mins) and Tyler Doherty (65 mins).
St Mochta's chairman Trevor Nulty gave me a warm welcome and expertly answered all my assorted questions regarding his club. Also when the match was proceeding, my six year old daughter began kicking a ball around with another small girl.
I got chatting to her dad who turned out to be League of Ireland club development manager Cian Nelson.
Cian is a fantastic ambassador for Irish football and he filled me in on the background for their proposed pyramid structure. It will see a new 20 team third tier feeding directly into the LOI First Division.
Leicester Celtic 2-1 Fanad United
- When: Sunday 18th May 2025
- Kick-off: 2pm
- Where: Damien Duff Park, Loreto Park, Grange Manor Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14.
- Competition: Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup First Round
- Attendance: 346
An artificial pitch surrounded by a high cage.
Therefore spectators swarmed around the outside of the fence and even climbed adjacent banking next to the road for better viewing. I did a headcount of 346 which subsequently became the official attendance.
Leicester Celtic chairman Gerry Whelan was really busy accommodating the big crowd yet he still had time to shake my hand and find me a parking space!
I discovered the club’s name originates from a nearby street called Leicester Avenue and the ground’s title reflects the fact that former Ireland star Damien Duff started out as a youngster with Leicester Celtic.
On a baking hot afternoon Kevin Maguire delivered two almost identical conversions for Leicester Celtic, turning in the box and shooting low into the corner each time (27 & 59 minutes).
Meanwhile, Fanad United got a little reward for leaving County Donegal by coach at 8am for the four hour 185 mile trek down south when Paddy Carr netted on 80 minutes.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Tony Incenzo*
