Gavin Dowling will have the unenviable task of picking a starting eleven this weekend.
It can be a thankless job, being the manager of any side let alone a junior soccer team. Lads are always clamoring to line out every Sunday for their local side, however, the appetite is strong for New Oak Boys players to get their name on the starting eleven that makes the match card this weekend.
You see the Carlow champions welcome none other than League of Ireland side Bray Wanderers in the fourth round of the Leinster Senior Cup. Bray who once lined out in the Uefa Cup qualifying rounds now finds themselves on their way to Carlow (Planxty can help them with that).
So this weekend is a massive day for one of our clubs @New_Oak_Boys who take on a league of Ireland team in Carlow town on Sunday afternoon. They need as much support as possible they have gone to great lengths to keep the game at home. @kclr96fm @scorelinesport @Natsport pic.twitter.com/o7ma7JryLQ
— Carlow Soccer League (@CarlowSoccer) February 9, 2023
Speaking ahead of the game New Oak Player Conor Byrne outlined how special it is going to be for everyone involved in Carlow soccer;
“It is going to be a special occasion for the club and Carlow league. It is a monumental moment in local soccer because we are going up against one of the greatest teams in the League of Ireland. They have massive history, I remember my Dad bringing me to see them. It is going to be a special weekend, hopefully, we can get as many people as we can down, and put on a performance for them.”
“The fact it is being played in Burrin Road, it is incredible a League of Ireland side coming to us. It is a huge novelty. There is great interest around the town.”
See also: Sunday League Football, there is no place like it.
“Lads are excited and buzzing for it, but we are trying to keep focus and make sure our heads are cool.”
If New Oak do secure the victory, they secure themselves in the last eight with another mouth-watering tie against either Shamrock Rovers or UCD.
Listen to the full interview with Conor below: