The Carrigaline FC pitch and the the fine clubhouse suggest top class facilities but it's all a long, long way from the Royal County.

Meath teams get ready to hit the road

Jimmy Geoghegan

Published: Tue 24 Jan 2023, 2:54 PM

Last updated: Tue 24 Jan 2023, 3:11 PM

Have football boots, will travel. That's certainly the way as far as a number of under-age soccer teams from Meath are concerned this coming weekend.

Teams from a number of clubs in the Royal County will hit the highways and byways as they go in search of cup glory.

On Saturday, for example, Torro u-16 girls team will set off on the long trip down to Macroom in Co Cork for an SFAI National Cup match against the local side in a venue called Murrayfield, a name often associated with rugby.

Also on Saturday Navan Town Cosmos take to the road and head for the bonny county of Clare where the Meath club's u-14 Girls side tackle their Lough Derg FC counterparts at Clarisford near the Shannon.

On Sunday a number of Meath teams set off on long treks to various locations including Torro who take on Limerick side Ashling Annacotty with a 2pm kick-off.

The longest journey will be embarked on by the Bohermeen Celtic u-14 Girls team who make their way to Carrigaline, Co Cork to face the local side in an SFAI National Cup clash, 2.0.

The long journey (a return trip of about 600 kms) will ensure an early start for the Bohermeen Celtic players, mentors and supporters with a bus hired to bring the travelling contingent down to the deep south. The journey down and back is expected to take about six hours.