MATCHDAY — Issue 02 | Newbridge Town FC v Killarney Celtic

THE OFFICIAL DIGITAL PROGRAMME OF NEWBRIDGE TOWN FC

KILDARE’S CLUB IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE

NEWBRIDGE TOWN FC v KILLARNEY CELTIC

FAI NATIONAL LEAGUE

Saturday 19 September 2026 · 5:00pm · Station Road

COMPETITION

FAI National League

DATE

19 September 2026

KICK-OFF

5:00pm

VENUE

Station Road

MATCHDAY FACILITIES

What’s On Today

Newbridge Town FC Bar
The clubhouse bar — open before, during and after the match for supporters home and away.

Open
Pulled and Loaded
Food trailer serving pulled meats and loaded fries pitch-side on matchday.
Mr Whizz
Ice cream van serving supporters of all ages at Station Road.

WELCOME

Welcome to Newbridge

A warm welcome to Station Road for today’s FAI National League fixture between Newbridge Town FC and Killarney Celtic. To Killarney Celtic’s players, staff and travelling supporters — thank you for making the journey, and we hope you enjoy your afternoon in Kildare. Our thanks also go to today’s match officials for taking charge of the game.

To our own supporters, home and away, week in and week out — this club runs on your support, and we’re glad to have you here for another home game. Sit back, enjoy the football, and get behind the team.

TODAY’S MATCH

Newbridge Town FC v Killarney Celtic

Newbridge Town squad ahead of today’s Group 3 fixture

Both sides head into this Group 3 clash still searching for their first points of the National League season. After two games apiece, Newbridge Town and Killarney Celtic will both be looking to get off the mark when they meet this weekend.

FROM THE DUGOUT

Martin Russell

HEAD COACH · NEWBRIDGE TOWN FC

“Welcome to everyone attending our National League game v Killarney Celtic FC, including all the players, staff and supporters of our opponents from Kerry.

We look forward to a challenging game of football, against a team who have only gone down by a single goal in their opening two fixtures. Killarney Celtic FC, like ourselves, will be looking to get some points on the board, so plenty to play for this evening.

We are continuing to work hard adapting to the levels of the third tier in Irish football, and for our young group, it’s very much learning on the job. Even today, for example, our visitors will likely include a number of players who have League of Ireland experience, with clubs such as Athlone, Treaty and Kerry FC. This provides the challenge that encourages our young players to continue to grow, and reach new standards of play.

As we urge the players to fulfil their potential, we also encourage local businesses and supporters to continue to back the club to grow in every way possible. Kildare needs proper senior level football, so keep playing your part!

Let’s cheer on the team tonight, and as always, thanks for the support, enjoy the game, Martin”

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

Welcome to Station Road

On behalf of everyone at Newbridge Town FC, I am delighted to welcome our visitors from Killarney Celtic FC to Station Road for today’s National League fixture.

Our first home game was a great occasion and, while the result didn’t go our way, I think most people present enjoyed the atmosphere around the Club and recognised that this was just the start of our National League journey.

These occasions are only possible because of the work of many people behind the scenes. We very much appreciate the time, energy and commitment given by all of our volunteers. We are always looking for more help so if there is anyone out there that can contribute in any way please get in touch.

Our supporters and sponsors also play a massive role in helping the Club continue its development on and off the pitch and we very much appreciate your support. It’s also great to see so many of our underage players involved on match day as ball boys, on the pitch at half time and in the stands supporting the team.

We wish both teams the very best of luck for today’s match but obviously hope that Martin and the lads come out on the right side with a positive result. Either way I’m sure the match will be played in the right spirit. We also wish the match officials well for the game. I hope that all of our visitors to Station Road enjoy their match day experience and look forward to welcoming you all again soon.

TODAY’S SQUADS

Squads

NEWBRIDGE TOWN FC

1 Mark O’Connor 30 · IRL
2 Finn Cowper Gray 21 · IRL
3 David Oduntan 20 · IRL
4 Seamus Brown 20 · IRL
5 Eric Munongo 31 · IRL
6 Nathan James McAuley 20 · IRL
7 Moses Alabi 21 · IRL
8 Noah Byrne 20 · IRL
9 Darragh Bolton 19 · IRL
10 Milton Rodrigo Benitez Lirio 40 · PAR
11 Ruairi Brown 23 · IRL
12 Conan Krüger 20 · IRL
13 Ethan Mills 21 · IRL
14 Alex Akinrintoyo 19 · IRL
15 Isaiah Phillips 22 · IRL
16 Shane O’Keeffe 29 · IRL
17 Jack Kenny 20 · IRL
20 Cian Rushe 18 · IRL
21 Conor Duggan 18 · IRL
25 Sean Martin 23 · IRL

KILLARNEY CELTIC

19 Kyle Clifford
12 Nattagun Ryan
4 Jason Kerins
5 Padraic Looney
2 Liam Spillane
11 Cianan Cooney
6 Togor Silong
8 Matt Keane (C)
18 Kennedy Amechi
7 Victor Udeze
10 Trpimir Vrljicak
1 Roy Kelleher
3 Brendan Falvey
9 Stephen McCarthy
13 Obinna Izehi
14 Cian Doe
15 Sean Lovett
16 Caleb Darcy McNamara
17 Diego Querales
20 James McCarrick

PLAYER FOCUS

Noah Byrne

NO. 8 · MIDFIELDER

Footballing hero?

Wayne Rooney.

Best player you’ve played with?

Cathal McCarthy.

Favourite away ground?

Carlisle Grounds (Bray Wanderers).

Pre-match routine?

I go for a light walk, then stretch to loosen up muscles before eating a good meal two and a half hours before kick-off, while also aiming to drink a litre of water. I eat half a banana and some jellies along with electrolytes in the dressing room while preparing to go out and warm up for the game.

What does representing Newbridge Town mean to you?

It means everything to me, as I’m representing not only myself but my family, everyone involved in Newbridge Town and also the county of Kildare, as we’re the only senior League of Ireland team in Kildare — and being from Kildare, that means a lot to me. Newbridge Town welcomed me in really well when I first joined and it’s been upwards ever since. The fans and everyone involved with the club have been brilliant, so representing them on the football pitch and giving them back what they give us means a lot to me.

NATIONAL LEAGUE TABLE

Standings — Group 3

#	TEAM	P	W	L	GD	PTS
1	Villa	2	2	0	+6	6
2	CK United	2	2	0	+2	6
3	UCC Soccer	2	1	1	−1	3
4	Killarney Celtic	2	0	2	−2	0
5	Newbridge Town	2	0	2	−5	0

FIXTURES & RESULTS

Recent & Upcoming

LAST RESULT — MATCH REPORT

HOME Newbridge Town v Villa FC Newbridge Town 1–5

A tough first home game against good opposition, with Villa much more clinical on the day. Town created plenty of chances of their own but couldn’t find the finishing touch, with Alex grabbing the goal with a well-taken finish.

NEXT UP

HOME Newbridge Town v Killarney Celtic Sat 19 Sept · 5:00pm

AWAY Villa FC v Newbridge Town Sat 26 Sept · 5:00pm · workLAB Connors Park

HOME Newbridge Town v UCC Soccer Sat 3 Oct · Station Road

CLUB NEWS

Champions!

Congratulations to our Senior Women’s team, who were crowned So Fresh Entertainment KDFL Division 1 champions last week. A brilliant achievement for the girls and everyone behind the scenes — well done all!

AROUND THE CLUB

Our Volunteers

Newbridge Town FC volunteers at Station Road

Behind every matchday at Station Road is a team of volunteers giving up their own time to keep the club running. From pitch and grounds upkeep to matchday operations, their work keeps our facilities in great condition week after week — often without much notice, but never without our appreciation. Thanks to them all.

VOLUNTEER FOCUS

Liam Mullen

CLUB PHOTOGRAPHER · NEWBRIDGE TOWN FC

How long have you been shooting for the club, and how did you get started?

I’ve been shooting for the club for over 3 years now. I originally got involved through my uncle and cousin, who were involved with Gary O’Carroll’s team at the time. I started taking a few photos around the club and it just kind of grew from there.

What does a typical matchday look like for you behind the camera?

Match day starts early, capturing warm-ups, candid spectator moments and the pre-match team photo. I prepare my equipment for the weather, find the best position on the field and catch up with the media team to plan the coverage. I also work with my photography assistant — my dad — to agree which key moments to capture and send during the game, including goals, team walk-outs, team photos and other significant moments. Once the match begins, concentration is essential. After the game, I select and edit an initial set of photographs to send to the media team, with the remaining images completed the following day.

What does volunteering your time for Newbridge Town mean to you?

Volunteering as the club photographer allows me to combine my passion for photography with my love for the club and community. I get to capture the moments that matter — the excitement, teamwork, celebrations, friendships and memories that make the club special. Knowing these photographs will be enjoyed by players, families and supporters for years to come gives me a real sense of pride. For me, volunteering is about giving my time and skills to something I care about, while helping capture and celebrate the story of Newbridge Football Club.

Anything you’re looking forward to capturing this season?

Definitely the National League. It’s a big and historic opportunity for Newbridge Town, and I’m really looking forward to capturing the big moments, the atmosphere and everything that comes with playing at that level. Hopefully there’ll be plenty of memorable moments to capture along the way!

A FEW OF LIAM’S FAVOURITE SHOTS — v CK UNITED

Newbridge Town FC v CK United, photo by Liam Mullen

COMMUNITY

Newbridge Family Resource Centre

At Newbridge Town FC, being part of Newbridge means more than what happens on the pitch.

Newbridge Family Resource Centre has been supporting individuals, children and families in our community since 1984. Based in Dara Park, the centre provides family support, childcare, youth and homework clubs, counselling, play therapy and community groups for people of all ages.

Its work is built around a simple vision: “To create a better life for individuals, families and communities in Newbridge.”

As Newbridge Town begins this new chapter in the National League, we want to use our platform to recognise and support the organisations that make a difference in our town every day.

Our Community. On Our Jersey.

COMMERCIAL PARTNERS