Kilbarrack United’s Ross Carrig on FAI Cup hopes: 'I keep saying it to the lads, make as many good memories as possible'

The Kilbarrack United starting XI against St Francis in January

The Kilbarrack United starting XI against St Francis in January Credit: Eddie Lennon (ETPhotos)

When Ross Carrig leads Kilbarrack United onto the Markets Field pitch on Friday night against Treaty United as manager, he will be hoping to create another priceless FAI Cup memory. 

As a player, Carrig was a household name in the Leinster Senior League, lining out for Killester United, St Mochta’s and Crumlin United among others. 

But when at Killester, he was part of a side that reached the quarter-final of the competition and even brought Sligo Rovers to a replay - narrowly missing out on a place in the last four after losing the replay 4-3 after extra-time at Tolka Park. 

The memories of that day and occasion will always live with Carrig - and he will be hoping that his Kilbarrack United side can recreate similar memories, starting on Friday. 

“This game is brilliant for the club, the players and the management,” Carig tells extratime.com. “It's something to look forward to with the away trips - especially for the young lads. 

“They learn so much from it. There’s not as much of that craic and banter in the amateur game compared to when I played.

“But the players will feel the buzz this week because there'll be stuff on social media and everything else. There's momentum with it."

Carrig added: “I remember the days I played in it as a player. I played against Sligo, drew against them before then playing them in a replay at Tolka Park.

“You always have the memories, pictures and everything else. I keep saying it to the lads, make as many memories and good memories as possible as you can.

“We weren't too far off against Sligo Rovers (at the time) but it was amazing. I'll never forget it. I think I played in the FAI Cup with Crumlin as well but that trip to Sligo was amazing.”



Carrig has inspired Kilbarrack’s rise through the intermediate ranks following their departure from the AUL in 2017 - having taken over in 2020.

Three promotions in as many years saw them take their place in the top-flight of the Leinster Senior League - before securing a third-place finish in their debut campaign last season.

“When we took over, there was a five year plan to get to the top division and we got there in three,” Carrig explained. “The club saw what they had to do, like what Sheriff and Killester did before.

“We’ve just kept rising to the top league and the plan is to stay there for a number of years now and compete like we competed last year. But it's great to have days like this out with the club.

“There's a lot of work that goes into it. It was a bit disappointing that the FAI didn’t switch the game to a Saturday but we’ll go down and give a good show of ourselves. 

“There’s a supporters bus going travelling and we have good sponsors on board with the senior team this year like the Blackbanks Pub. 



“That's what they're looking forward to and that’s what it's all about. It gives the community a bit of a boost.”

Kilbarrack claimed 42 points last season en-route to a third-placed finish in a competitive LSL Senior Sunday division. 

Lucan United ran away with the title in the end with 58 points, but Carrig’s troops finished just four points behind second-placed St Mochta’s - which was an achievement in itself.

And that was despite losing four games in a row from February to March. 

“We had a great year,” the first-team boss added. “We had a blip as well but I knew it would come because I have played in the league and I know it happens. 

“I've won it twice, once with Mochta’s and once with Crumlin. But it's about staying there. 

“Our lads are young but we had a great season and I can't fault them… It's a crazy league and I've learned a lot as a manager in it because we were constantly winning before. 

“No disrespect to the teams, and it's not that it's easy, but we kept winning games prior before being promoted. All of a sudden you're losing games in a row and that's where we needed to dig deep and we did. 

“We could have been pulled into that relegation battle and I was worried we could have been at one stage. But we didn’t and finished well.”

As far as familiar League of Ireland faces go, Kilbarrack United will be able to call upon the services of former UCD and Wexford defender Daniel Tobin, alongside ex-Bohemians man Daniel Byrne.

And their experience - plus their ability to dig deep as shown last season - will likely prove invaluable on Friday night when they travel to the Markets Field. 

Kilbarrack will also take confidence from running Finn Harps close last season in the same round of the competition - albeit at home - when they were narrowly beaten 1-0.

“We’ll have a go, express ourselves and give it 100%,” Carrig added. “If we come up short, we come up short and if we win, happy days.  

“I’ve watched a lot of games on LOI TV and there’s probably a bit of sharpness between the two teams playing against quality players, week in, week out.  

“They are probably training for three or four nights a week, while we train twice and play on  Friday. That’s the level we are playing at. 

“But for the young lads who have signed and want to push themselves onto the League of Ireland, this is an opportunity for them. 

“They can put themselves in the shop window and anyone could be watching. That’s what it’s all about and you have to think that way as a player. 

“The lads will be looking forward to it.”

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