National League journey begins for Newbridge Town
Newbridge Town manager Martin Russell and Nathan McAuley during the 2026 FAI National League Season launch at the National Indoor Arena on the Sport Ireland Campus in Abbotstown Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Newbridge Town are just days away from their first game in the long-awaited opening round of the FAI National League – the new third tier of Irish football – after the Kildare club were one of the 15 teams awarded a senior license by the FAI earlier this year.
The new league comes with a temporary format for the inaugural 2026 season; the teams are divided into three groups of five, with the three group winners as well as the best runner-up moving on to the semi-finals. There will be no promotion on offer to the LOI First Division, with that coming into effect in 2027.
Speaking with The Kildare Nationalist, Newbridge manager, Martin Russell insists preparations are going well ahead of his side’s first game in the National League.
“The lads have been coming in training; we've had different individuals come in as well to have a look at. We've had the trial process where we've tried to unearth a few players. We're going into the league with a group of young players that hopefully are eager to prove themselves at this level,” he said.
Saturday, August 29th will mark the return of senior League of Ireland football to Kildare after almost two decades, with Newbridge Town set to begin their campaign in SETU Carlow at 2pm away to CK United.
“It's probably the closest thing at the moment to a derby-like game for the lads,” Russell said. “It's really the start of a journey for both the players and the club. The platform of the National League is exciting for everybody and hopefully we can encourage everybody to use it to the full benefit.”
The first home game is the following week when Russell’s men welcome Waterford outfit, Villa to Station Road on Saturday, September 5th at 5pm, with the manager hopeful of getting plenty of supporters through the gates.
“I've said it before, the potential of football in Kildare is still to be fulfilled and this is one step forward in the right direction; to bring meaningful, elite senior football into the area. And the only way to be successful going forward is if we get the support of the local community, people attending games and the business community getting behind the club. That's the only way that we'll have success.”
Newbridge have an off-week in Round 3 before their next game sees Killarney Celtic visit Station Road, but Russell insists there will be no time to rest during that period. “It is a truncated season and the way I would look at it is the work shouldn't stop,” the manager said.
“It's a continuous process of trying to get better, of trying to raise standards. Along that way there will be times of reflection, but there will also be times that we need to plan for the next step and continue things like recruitment that can help raise standards.
“I'm sure the club will look at ways that the business off the field can be progressed now that it has a National League presence.”
Newbridge Town’s squad is beginning to take shape as the first game draws near, with a number of players catching the eye. Russell has named Nathan McAuley as his captain for the season, a tenacious young midfielder that has spent his entire life going through the pathway at the club.
Other young players who have come through the academy include prospects such as Conan Kruger and Seamus Brown, who will soon have the platform to progress and fulfil their potential playing on a national level.
Arguably the biggest goal threat at Newbridge’s disposal will be another local youngster in the form of Darragh Bolton, who also came through the ranks at Station Road. Bolton converted from a number ten to a number nine last year and hit the net 20 times in his first season playing in his new role.
Bolton will have plenty of competition up front, with Newbridge signing Alex Akinrintoyo, an exciting, talented young striker brought in from Leixlip.
Newbridge have also made signings at the other end of the field, including Finn Cowper, a full back who came through the academy system at St Patrick’s Athletic.
CK United v Newbridge Town - SETU Carlow
Newbridge Town v Villa - Station Road
Newbridge Town v Killarney Celtic - Station Road
Villa v Newbridge Town - workLAB Connors Park
Newbridge Town v UCC - Station Road
Killarney Celtic v Newbridge Town - Celtic Park
Newbridge Town v CK United - Station Road
UCC v Newbridge Town - Mardyke Sports Grounds
