County need not be overawed by any opposition

KILDARE COUNTY will run special bus services to Belfield tonight for spectators wanting to see their historic first match in the FAI Carlsberg Cup against UCD (7.45pm).

“There is a great deal of excitement around the club” said Stephen Finn, the new club’s busy general manager, “we’ve made a good start and the feed-back from the fans is totally positive. I know we are outsiders, but this match against UCD is another big step for us.”

Kildare beat Limerick 2-0 in their opening match in the League Cup and their draw last week against Cobh Ramblers was another welcome result. They will notice a big step up in standard against UCD who looked very good when losing unluckily 2-3 to Cork City last week-end. Cork’s manager Liam Murphy paid UCD this tribute: “I have nothing but praise for UCD, what they have done by remaining in the premier division is wonderful. They play in a certain way and they do it very well as I know even from the days when I played against them.