Last season’s record success for SKB teams at all ages has now passed into the history book and a new season is fast approaching that brings with it fresh challenges on all fronts both on and off the pitch.

The nine weeks since the trials at the beginning of July have been hectic as firstly managers throughout all the age groups looked at over 850 players who signed up for trials at the club and then they had to make decisions – some very difficult – as to what changes needed to be made to their existing squads. We would like to welcome all new players and their parents to the club and hope that through hard work at training and at games that they enjoy their time at SKB. We would also like to wish any player who has moved on the best of luck and thank them for their efforts in an SKB jersey.

Pre-season is always a difficult time for the managers of all of the 46 SKB teams that will represent the Club in League and Cup competitions at both Local and National level on the playing fields in the coming months as they try blend new players into their teams and this process is usually hampered by never having a full squad available for training or friendly games as players and some staff are away on family holidays with possibly some players also away on trial at UK clubs.

However the past week or two has seen things settle down a bit with many pre-season friendlies being organised and teams from the club taking part in competitions such as the Finglas Celtic Cup, DB Sports Trophy, Kells Blackwater, Trinity Donaghamede Eamon Butler Tournament, Topflight Dublin Cup, Balbriggan Under 16 Tournament, Ricky Osagie Corduff Tournament among others, while the club also hosted two squads from Colchester United and the Chivas Guadalajhara Under 16 squad from Mexico.

This time of year sees all teams start off on an equal footing and we are confident that the hard work already put in will benefit them and help them to get off to a good start, this plus the performances both on the training pitch and playing pitches over the next nine months will hopefully ensure another memorable season for SKB.

Good luck to all our of players, managers, coaches, parents and supporters – remember you are ALL part of the Best Club in the Country.