Major incentive for North End players

LOCAL SOCCER powerhouse North End United have a major incentive to overcome Dubliners St. Mochta’s in their Leinster Senior Cup third round fixture. The big boys from the SSE Airtricity League join the fray in the next phase of the competition, with the draw made last week.

And it couldn’t be more appealing from North End’s point of view as, if they can overcome their opponents from Clonsilla, the prize will be a dream trip to Tallaght Stadium to take on Premier Division outfit Shamrock Rovers.

Indeed, there could be a reunion of sorts because one of the key acquisitions by Hoops manager Stephen Bradley during the closed season was ex-North End stalwart and Republic of Ireland under-age international Ethan Boyle who had been plying his trade with Finn Harps for the past couple of seasons.

Rovers will be on high alert regardless of the opposition they meet from the non-league world, as they crashed out of the Leinster Senior Cup away to Thomastown United from Kilkenny in early 2017.

North End manager John Godkin will be licking his lips at the prospect of getting a crack at one of the sport’s leading lights in their very impressive facilities.

Nonetheless, he has been around long enough to know that St. Mochta’s will be just as determined to earn that chance, and they will be formidable opponents.

Meanwhile, Wexford F.C. have been drawn at home to Cabinteely, the same team they will meet in their First Division opener - albeit away in Stradbrook in that instance, on Friday, February 13. The Leinster Senior Cup dates have yet to be announced.

The old Wexford Youths made it all the way to the final of 2016 before going down 4-0 to Bohemians in Dalymount Park, but last year there was a 4-2 first round exit for the new Ferrycarrig Park entity in Tolka Park to Shelbourne who went on to win the competition outright.