A LONDON-BASED football team packed with graduates of the University College Cork (UCC) are appealing for supporters to turn up for the biggest game of their short existence on Saturday.
UCC Diaspora FC, who were founded just six years ago by four former students of UCC, take on FC Hamlets in the final of the London Junior Cup, a prestigious amateur tournament.
They merged with a depleted club named Wandsworth Celtic in 2010 and now compete in the Wimbledon and District Football League Premier Division.
“We would encourage all our club mates, past players, friends, family and all extended networks in London and elsewhere to come support the team and make it an historic day for the club,” a statement on Facebook read.
The match takes place at the home of Cockfosters FC on Chalk Lane, a short walk from Cockfosters tube station, and kicks off at 3pm.
UCC Diaspora FC vs FC Hamlets in the London FA Junior Cup Final. Kick off 3pm. Any1 who's irish or has some affiliation to UCC please attend
— UCC Diaspora F.C (@UCCDiaspora) April 22, 2016
All roads lead to Cockfosters F.C for the biggest game in our history tomorrow. We need all the support we can get!!!!
— UCC Diaspora F.C (@UCCDiaspora) April 22, 2016
The squad is largely made up of Irish players, who come from Cork, Dublin, Westmeath and Limerick, but UCC Diaspora also have a handful of English players.
Their run to the London Junior Cup final has been quite remarkable as they’ve managed to get by without playing a tie at home, knocking out holders Sloane FC in the first round.
Wins over Boca Seniors, Hilltop and Lewisham Athletic followed as the squad embarked on a journey all over the city en route to the showpiece event.
The London Junior Cup has been in existence since the 1886-87 football season. Junior Premier clubs compete for the honour, taking in all boroughs of London plus Senior second division teams.
