Leinster Senior League side Ballyfermot United secure friendly against English club with strong Irish connections
Could Stan Collymore be on his way to Ballyfermot United next week?
Ballyfermot United will host the club where Ronnie Whelan ended his playing career and got a start in management.
Southend United are heading to Dublin for a three-day training camp - from Monday to Wednesday - and will take on the Leinster Senior League powerhouse on Tuesday night.
Whelan isn't the only connection to the side that now plays in the National League. He lined out for Southend in the old First Division (Championship). Dubliner Graham Coughlan was there during his final two seasons as a player.
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And they are now managed by former Ireland Under-21 international Kevin Maher, who made over 450 appearances for the club across 11 seasons.
One possible attendee next week is Stan Collymore, who lined out for Southend before his €2.5m move in 1993 to Nottingham Forest. The former Forest, Liverpool and Aston Villa striker is Senior Football Strategist at Southend.
The match was confirmed on the Southend website.
"The Club can confirm an additional date has been added to the pre-season schedule with a fixture against Ballyfermot United in Dublin on Tuesday 30 July (7.30pm)," it read.
"Kevin Maher and the squad will spend several days in Ireland on a pre-season camp leading up to the start of the 2024/25 Vanarama National League season and a fixture has been organised with Ballyfermot United to continue preparations.
"Bellyfermot play in the Leinster Senior League, and have this year reached the last 16 of the FA Ireland Cup.
"The stadium is around six miles from the centre of Dublin and if supporters wish to attend the match, tickets can be purchased through this link."
The game will take place at the Coldcut Grounds, Cloverhill Road, Clondalkin, with tickets priced at €10 (adults), €7 (seniors) and €2 (under-16s)
The statement continued: "We thank Ballyfermot United and Podium Sports Management for organising a game for us at such short notice and look forward to visiting."
And it quoted Southend CEO Tom Lawrence as saying: "We are all very grateful to the Shrimpers Trust for their support which has part funded the first-team training camp to Ireland.
"The camp is an important part of pre-season and will help build on the fantastic team spirit."
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