CARLOW look to bridge a six-year gap by qualifying for the Oscar Traynor Cup semi-final when they take on Wexford in Graiguecullen on Saturday.
Coach Tom Donnelly, who has managed the side for the last two years, is confident that his charges will be successful.
With two wins behind them already against the West Waterford/ East Cork and Wicklow leagues he feels he is right to be optimistic.
Already this season New Oak Boys and Crettyard United have knocked Wexford sides out of the FAI Junior Cup.
“We have assembled a very talented squad and the lads have shown a lot of commitment in the last few years in particular,” he says. Donnelly comes across as a likeable individual who is keen to keep things positive in the build-up to the game.
“The clubs have been very helpful releasing their players one night a week and we appreciate that,” he says of the Carlow league club structure. “There is a lot of competitiveness between the clubs but when the lads come together for the Oscar Traynor it is like a club side,” he says of the players.
“The Carlow league is very professional. The lads are well looked after with training facilities,” he says of the current support and development structures in Carlow soccer.
The Kildare town man has five years’ experience in the Dublin senior league with Newbridge Town and he was player-manager with the club for two years. He managed the Kildare Oscar Traynor side for five years.
His biggest managerial success came when his under 21 Kildare County side won their league and made it to the final of the All Ireland Cup before losing to Cork City.
“It’s in the blood. I love the auld soccer,” he says. On a local level he is manager of Crettyard United and is impressed with the progress of Carlow soccer in recent years.
“There is a huge improvement in the level of professionalism in the clubs. That brings up the level of the players and as they improve there is a knock-on effect in the representative sides,” he says.
He points out that the Wexford visitors are entitled to come to town as favourites. “They won the Oscar Traynor two years ago and were beaten quarter finalists last year. They have huge pedigree.”
His team will be missing Colin Osborne who is New Zealand bound. Brendan Fox is also a doubt.
On the plus side, Marc Carpenter who scored two goals in their win over Wicklow in the previous round is leading scorer in the Carlow league and is playing the best soccer of his life at the moment.
Gavin Dowling in goal and Davy Walker have League of Ireland experience with FC Carlow.
Donnelly is upbeat and, of course, positive.
“We have nothing to fear if our lads play to their ability. Then Wexford will have to be top of their game to get a result.”