Cockhill's Cullen calls on Inishowen football to embrace new National League

Cockhill Celtic FC manager Gavin Cullen has issued an open invitation to football supporters across Inishowen to come and experience the club’s historic first home game in the new FAI National League this Saturday.

Cockhill welcome Home Farm DCU to Charlie O’Donnell Park for a 4pm kick-off, with Cullen hoping the occasion will showcase both his team and a new level of senior football now available in the peninsula.

The club made an encouraging start to life in the new national competition last Saturday, drawing 1-1 away to Galway side Mervue United after conceding a controversial late penalty.

“It was a really enjoyable game ... up until the 94th minute!” Cullen said. “We played really well, spurned a few chances to put the game to bed and then were caught with a sucker punch at the end.

“We'd have taken that performance beforehand, and it was good to get a first taste of it.”

Cockhill are founding members of the new National League and Cullen believes the club and its players are ready to embrace the challenge.

“We've had a really good pre-season with good buy-in from the players. The players want to play at this level, test themselves and do well in it. They're used to winning, and used to doing well, and that's not going to change.”

The club has strengthened its squad with the arrival of Seamie McLaughlin (Pat) from Greencastle, Bart Wesolowski from Buncrana Hearts and Shane O’Gara, while Danny McDaid has returned after a year in Spain.

“We're delighted to get all four on board,” Cullen said. “Shane O'Gara did well on his debut at the weekend. Seamie Pat got his first start, and he was excellent, played really well.”

Wesolowski, however, faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious ankle injury, and Cullen is disappointed for him after he'd had such a strong pre-season.

McDaid, meanwhile, has already made an impression, having scored twice in the FAI Junior Cup since returning to the club.

Cockhill are in Group 1 of the truncated National League season, with the three group winners and the best second-placed team advancing to the semi-finals.

Cullen expects a highly competitive group and is keen to use the short campaign to give his entire squad an opportunity.

“We were happy with how we played in Mervue. We made six changes to the starting 11 from the week before [against Coachford in the FAI Junior Cup], and they all stepped up and did well.

“This is a short season, so we're going to give everyone in the squad an opportunity with an eye on next year.”

But Saturday’s game is about more than three points for Cullen.

“This is probably the biggest thing that's ever happened for the club, and ever will,” the manager said. “Hosting our first national league game will be a huge occasion for everyone in the club, not just the players and the management, but also our current and former committee members.

“We've played in the FAI Intermediate and Junior Cup finals as well as the FAI Senior Cup and they were all brilliant occasions, but I think this will be the biggest day the club has ever had.”

Cullen believes Cockhill’s arrival at this level is a recognition of the work done by generations of people at the club.

“For the club to get to this point, to be a founding member of the National League, is just a tremendous recognition of everyone who has gone before us, and to the players who are here at the minute.

“It's going to be a huge occasion.”

More than 100 Cockhill supporters made the journey to Galway last weekend and Cullen is hoping for an even bigger turnout at Charlie O’Donnell Park.

“The support we had in Mervue was incredible – thankfully we put on a decent performance for them. Hopefully we can do the same this weekend.”

Home Farm DCU provide formidable opposition. The Dublin club drew 2-2 with Bonagee United in Letterkenny last weekend and have a long and distinguished association with League of Ireland football.

“Aye, they're a big club with a huge catchment area and with tremendous facilities,” Cullen said. “They're definitely signalling their ambition to push on and get back into the League of Ireland First Division and beyond.

“It's a huge game for us, against a club with a strong tradition and, not unlike ourselves, with big ambitions.”

And it is that ambition which Cullen believes makes the new National League such an important development for football in Inishowen.

“We've players in our team from all over Inishowen, and we want to be the focal point in Inishowen football where those ambitious players who want to push themselves on [to senior] want to be here and go further.

“That's the way the football pyramid works worldwide, and now we have that step in Inishowen.

“You'd have never believed it would have been achievable in a rural area like this.

“But now it's here, it's on our doorstep and we all need to make the most of it going forward. No stone will be left unturned on and off the pitch.

“We all want this to succeed. If it is successful, it will benefit our young players, and football people in Inishowen, for years to come.”

Saturday is a game of a football, but it's also a statement not just of Cockhill Celtic's own ambitions but about the strength of the game in Inishowen,

For supporters, admission is €10 for adults and €5 for U18s, while U12s go free. Parking is available in the church car park beside the ground, with limited parking also available at the ground.

Kick-off is at 4pm on Saturday.