Large travelling support expected as St Joseph's bid for SFAI Cup glory

The St Joseph's under-15s will be stepping into uncharted territory for an Athlone schoolboy club this weekend, but they won't be walking alone.

A couple of busloads of supporters are due to make the journey to the capital to cheer on the local side in Sunday's SFAI Cup final against Home Farm, at Jackson Park in Wayside, Dublin (Kick-off, 11.30am).

St Joseph's are understood to be the first schoolboy club from this area to reach an SFAI Cup Final, and Sunday's fixture has been described by the club as the biggest in its history.

Manager Davy Cummins, who has guided the side to this stage along with ex-League of Ireland striker Padraig Moran, said there was a great sense of anticipation among the players.

"There is a sense that they've come so far and that it's now within touching distance," Cummins said on Monday. "The percentage of young players who get to an SFAI Cup final is extremely low, so this really is the stuff of dreams."

The team's place in the final was booked last month, when a first half strike from Leon Nolan and a dramatic injury time winner from Will Geraghty secured a memorable 2-1 win over Malahide United.

The club has already put silverware in the cabinet this season, winning the MSL Major Division and, on Sunday last, claiming the MSL Ski Lowry Cup with a 4-2 defeat of Tullamore Town in Mountmellick.

Cummins said there had been "a couple of knocks" among the group, which influenced the team selection last Sunday, but goals from Leon Nolan (2), Dylan Dennehy and Filipe Da Sousa made the difference on the day.

Looking ahead to this weekend, Cummins said that Anthony Cunningham, the former Galway hurling and Roscommon football manager, was planning to meet with the squad to give "a bit of a pep talk" yesterday (Thursday).

Cummins was full of praise for the players, describing them as "an exceptional bunch of lads".

"I am over 30 years involved in coaching at this stage, and this is by far the best group that I've worked with," he said.

He added that Padraig Moran deserved immense credit for his coaching expertise which had greatly helped in the development of the group.

The majority of the players have been involved with St Joseph's from under-6 level, though there have been a couple of additions to the squad in the last year, including Mullingar's Darragh Riordan and Clara's Leon Nolan.

The St Joseph's management has been up to watch Home Farm play twice, and has also viewed videos of some of their games.

Cummins said the Dubliners would be favourites on Sunday. "They are a very good side, a club that's steeped in tradition," he commented.

"But we will be giving it our best shot. We will take it in, and enjoy the occasion. We are in dreamland territory, and anything could happen."