Wayside Celtic: Meet the Leinster League side looking to shock the FAI Cup

Extra.ie​

16-07-2025

The magic of the cup is back in the air as the Sports Direct FAI Cup kicks off its second round this week, with the League of Ireland sides making their first foray into this year's tournament.
Cup football is for some people the best type of football, you can reminisce on the great moments of the World Cup, FA Cup and the FAI Cup, whether it was the great runs of the last amateur team to win it Home Farm, to Longford Town's back-to-back triumphs in 2003 and 2004 to even Drogheda United last year winning it all, cup football can conjure up some great stories. One amateur side looking to cause a 'cup-set' is Wayside Celtic.
The Kilternan side are one of a number Leinster Senior League sides in the second round and they'll make the short 7km trip across to Bray to face off against Wanderers at Carlisle Grounds. Pic: Eddie Lennon Sporting Images
While this is a huge occasion for Wayside, it probably hasn't come at the perfect time. With the Leinster Senior League and the League of Ireland don't have an aligned calendar, with the LSL running the traditional slot of around August-May while the LOI runs from February to November.
For Wayside this has meant that they're off-season was somewhat brief, mainly due deep runs in the FAI Intermediate, Charlie Cahill and the Metro Cup meant firstly they qualified for the FAI Cup first round but also their 2024/25 season ran long. Their season didn't actually end until 8 June and less than a month later on 7 July full training was underway for the Bray tie. Pic: Alan Quinn (LSL Live Updates)
When speaking to striker Darragh O'Connor he explained that pre-season hasn't actually started much earlier than the last season they weren't in the FAI Cup, but the intensity of it that has made it such a challenge.
'We don't have time to be doing running for a few weeks, you need to come back fit. We've been back in the last 10, 11 days officially before this game. It's like, come back fit and we need to just go straight into football tactics, games.'
Wayside were able to squeeze in one friendly in preparation for this game but manager Ross Zambra spoke about the difficulties of the quick turnaround to next season.
'We only went back to training Monday last to prepare for this game and to be honest with you, it's not long enough preparation for a game like this, but the break wasn't long enough for the players in terms of our off season coming as well. So the timing is far from ideal but it's the same for all the Senior League clubs. We're all out of season while the League of Ireland teams are bang in season and they're up to speed and all that.' Pic: Alan Quinn (LSL Live Updates)
It wasn't just the players who had a busy off-season. While they were trying to stay fit Zambra and his coaches were busy scouting Bray, watching every one of their games they could, whether in person or on LOI TV while Zambra was also busy recruiting players for the new season.
Zambra commended the huge commitment of his players over the 10 days, some of whom have taken time off their work to make sure they can keep up with the rigorous training schedule.
This squad already has experience of playing at this stage, having reached the second round stage last season where they hosted Wexford at Jackson Park in a 3-1 defeat, with O'Connor getting on the scoresheet that day.
It's not just the underdogs aspect that makes this tie so interesting but the closeness, both geographically and metaphorically between the clubs. The Zambra family are synonymous with Bray Wanderers, brothers Ross and Dean both played for the club with Dean captaining the side and their father Garry was involved in coaching at the club for 25 years. He was First Team Coach when they won the FAI Cup in 1999 (Dean was a mascot that day too). Bray Wanderers celebrate following their 1999 FAI Cup win. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Paton
But now Ross and Dean are coaching at Wayside with Dean involved with the squad in the lead up to the tie. Zambra spoke about how big of a tie it is for the community and the local area.
'I think it was the perfect draw for us. I think it's something that has really captured the imagination of people inside the club and the local area. We're getting lots of messages of support.'
O'Connor further added; 'This game is such a big deal, there will be all the all the club members around the place, the school boy clubs, it's such a big occasion. Pic: Eddie Lennon Sporting Images
The tie between the clubs runs through the players at Wayside as well, with O'Connor for example playing with Bray fullback Max Murphy since they were kids at Cabinteely. He explained how that tie runs deep in the squad. 'I'd say about three-quarters of our team and coaching staff have either played, managed, coached, or have had some involvement in Bray and Cabo [Cabinteely]. That kind of affiliation. So it's a massive draw. Literally, they're down the road. In fact, half our team are from Bray, so they'll probably walk to the game.'
It won't be a walk into the next round for Wayside but unlike last year where Zambra made the point of embracing the occasion against Wexford, this year him and his team are out to ruffle a few feathers and cause an upset. It'll be a night to remember for everyone involved in Wayside on Friday.