Andrew Omobamidele traces hometown club's route in from the margins

Both the Norwich City player and Leixlip United have experienced meteoric rises, but what next for clubs around the country as they lose their best young players to League of Ireland academies?

Former Leixlip United star, Andrew Omobamidele has progressed onto the Republic of Ireland squad. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ask Robbie Martin to explain what Andrew Omobamidele’s graduation to the senior Republic of Ireland squad this summer meant for Leixlip United and he sums it up as both the end and the beginning of a journey the club has taken.

“It’s something 10, 15 years ago we couldn’t dream of, having a full Irish international,” he explains. “Or an Irish international in the making.”