Supporters Club Notes

Supporters’ Club Notes (05/06/17)

CAR BOOT SALE THANKS

Despite all the doom and gloom promised by the weather forecasters, we had an excellent Car Boot Sale in dry conditions on the June Bank Holiday Monday. If the weather forecast had been accurate, we’d have had an even bigger event but we’re really not complaining. Actually it’s the opposite. We’d like to sincerely thank everyone who supported our most recent car boot sale, those who turned up to sell and those who ventured out to buy. But a huge thank you to the Dawn Chorus Crew who were on duty as dawn broke to make sure everything ran as smoothly as possible. We may not be flying high in the league but when it comes to superb volunteers, there’s no club in the land that can match us. Many, many thanks again.

BREAK TIME

Following our scoreless draw against 9 man Shels, the break is opportune. Even Cork are glad of the summer break to rest and rebuild. We have a little more work on hand than most clubs. It looks like we’ll need a mini casualty ward to deal with all the injuries and then there’s the small matter of being managerless. Appointing a well known name isn’t necessarily the answer going by the experience of Sligo and Athlone. Maybe a young, hungry, unknown manager is what we need. Anyway, let’s hope part 2 is more successful than part 1.

TRISTAN NOACK–HOFMANN

Spare a thought for the trophy inscriber as he adds the above name to the May Player of the Month trophy. Seriously though, congrats to Tristan who is the deserved winner after a close contested nomination. Tony Gilleran will present the trophy before the next home game which is Saturday June 17^th v Cobh.

CONDOLENCES

The Supporters’ Club would like to extend its sincere sympathy to Mary Shiels on the recent, sad death of her husband Patrick (Paddy). Paddy and indeed many of his family were great Town supporters and also wore the jersey with distinction on numerous occasions. That strong Town link was mentioned often at the funeral Mass and the red and black jersey was part of the gifts offering. We offer our heartfelt condolences to Mary, his brothers and sisters and extended family. May he rest in peace.

Supporters’ Club Notes (29/05/17)

FIVE STAR

Wexford had always proved to be a difficult nut to crack but it was Wexford themselves who cracked on Saturday night last at the City Calling Stadium. Principal sponsor, Phil Munnelly who was present must have been impressed.

Apart from the five star performance in front of an appreciative crowd, it was a night that will linger long for many reasons for different people. Before kick off, there was a minute’s silence for the late Dr. Niall Walsh whose untimely passing genuinely numbed the members of the club. Despite the downpour which lasted most of the day, the pitch looked like a billiard table, it was perfect. Having conceded early goals in our previous two games, it was a tonic to have McGlade put us one up after just 3 minutes. With Zambra (twice), O’Connor and Dillon adding to the tally, it was a score that Niall Walsh would have savoured. On top of all that, we had Havo take to the pitch as well as local lad Aodh Dervin making his debut.

Any of the above points would have been sufficient for a lengthy post match analysis but it was later when most were settling in for a post match pint or cup of tea that even more startling news broke with the announcement of the parting of ways with team manager Alan Mathews.

Full credit to the team for a stunning home win and credit too to the small number of travelling supporters who never stopped trying to encourage their boys in pink.

SHELS NEXT

We travel to Tolka Park on Friday, June 2^nd for the final game before the summer break. This will be our third meeting and so far, the Dublin outfit have failed to beat us, we won our last game and drew the first encounter. Their management team weren’t happy with the match officials after their visit to the City Calling Stadium. They weren’t over the moon either with their most recent defeat to newcomers Cabinteely, who defeated them 4-1 at home so they’ll be hoping to reverse their fortunes before taking stock in the break. A win for De Town under caretaker manager Gary Cronin is exactly what we’d like even though the three points won’t get us further up the table. However, should Shels win, they’d leap frog us into fifth. So let’s go up and “bate“ them.

BEHIND THE SCENES

For most of us, we simply attend a game, hope for a few goals, a good game and of a win. But there are so many stories, dreams made and dreams shattered at the most ordinary of games. Last Saturday night was an example of such. We had Abbey FC from Ballinamore who helped greatly in creating a great atmosphere on Saturday night. They made a huge collective effort to travel from Leitrim to be present at the City Calling Stadium. They were professionally attired and turned out and their conduct and co operation was a credit to their hard working mentors. Check out the video clip on the Supporters’ Club Facebook page with Don Cowan from after the game.

Then there was one of our most loyal, dedicated and youngest supporters from Drumlish, Cory Maher who recently made his First Holy Communion. Like all children he made a handsome profit on the day but the profit was spent on a Town jersey which he bought as soon as he arrived at the CCS and wore with pride.

Last week Aodh Dervin was presented with a special award by the school St Mel’s College and then was introduced in the game against Wexford to mark his senior debut. He follows Adrian Murphy from the same school in making his debut ahead of his Leaving Cert. It may be only a game to some but so much more to most.

ALAN MATHEWS

Alan Mathews is a name that will always be associated with success with De Town going back to our Cup winning years. So it was no surprise that most were delighted when he took over the reins from Tony Cousins. The bookies had ourselves and Waterford as favourites as contestants to make the return to the top flight for 2018. Our first few pre season matches were very encouraging and we all anticipated a rip roaring 2017 season. However, early on the wheels came off the wagon with a series of bad results and a list of injuries that’d frighten any emergency department. We had two 1-0 defeats that sickened many and maybe it was these results that were to prove the end of the road of for the affable Alan. Everyone who attended our 5-0 win against Wexford went home wondering if we’d finally turned a corner though some said it was already too late. No one mentioned a change of manager until shortly after the game that the website announced the departure of Alan Mathews by mutual consent.

The Supporters’ Club would like to thank Alan for all his efforts in getting us back to winning ways and also for his help, co-operation and genuine friendship. Once a gentleman, always a gentleman. We wish you well Alan where ever the journey of sport brings you next.

CONDOLENCES

There was genuine shock and disbelief when we heard of the sad and untimely passing of Dr Niall Walsh last week. Niall Walsh was the Club’s official doctor for many years. But he was more, much more that just a doctor. He was a loyal friend and dedicated supporter who couldn’t do enough for the club, much of his work undocumented. Apart from seeing to the medical side of things for the entire squad (and a few more), he also was instrumental with the Lotto partnership with the Shopping Centre being maintained and renewed. In the unlikely event that he couldn’t attend a match, he always had another doctor lined up to take his place. He didn’t have to be asked, he already had the arrangement in place. Always chatty and friendly, he was like a father figure to many of our former players all of whom expressed their high regard and utmost respect for Niall. The stories of great fun, laughter and genuine craic associated with Niall have been non stop since his all to sudden passing.

The Supporters’ Club would like to extend its deepest sympathies to Breda, his wife and best friend and to all the family. Longford Town FC have had numerous footballing legends over the years, Dr Niall Walsh was a legend in his own way.

May he rest in peace.

CAR BOOT SALE

The Supporters’ Club will be holding its Car Boot Sale this bank holiday Monday, June 5th at the City Calling Stadium car park. It kicks off very early and the final whistle will be at 3pm. It’s one rated as one of the best in the land and if awards were given for such, it’d surely be an award winning Car Boot Sale. Don’t miss it.

Longford Town Supporters’ Club Notes (21/05/17)

NO JOY

The long trip down to Waterford bore no fruit as an early goal for the hosts left us joyless again. And yet, over two games against the league leaders, only one goal is the difference. So despite the widening gap in the table between the top three and the rest of us, the top three are certainly beatable. A win against Wexford on Saturday night at the City Calling Stadium will help get us back on track. Let’s see you there.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH / MAY

Desi Maguire only presented the April award to Enda Curran at our last home game and already it’s the end of May and so time for our Player of the Month again. The presentation will take place at our first home game in June by a supporters’ club member who will be drawn beforehand. Remember, all paid up members are entered into a draw to make the presentation and is just one of the many reasons to join us.

CAR BOOT SALE

The June Bank Holiday Monday is just round the corner and while it might mean the start of long holidays for lucky secondary teachers, it means an other chance for us to raise much needed funds at our Car Boot Sale to help keep the club going. Once again, we’re asking for volunteers and even if you can only spare an hour or two , it’d be greatly appreciated. Give Liam Healion a shout and he’ll look after you.

BIRTHDAY WISHES

A belated happy birthday to Paddy Donnelly who has managed to survive another year with his sanity intact. As the years whizz past like an express train, Paddy seems to be more involved with each passing month. I’m not sure what his official title in the club is but he seems to cover almost every blade of grass from an organisational point of view. Hope you had the time and energy to blow out the forest of candles before eating some cake (red and black icing, naturally).

ENOUGH

It looked like Sinead Keegan has had her fill of moaners. On Sunday last, she posted a wonderful letter on Facebook castigating the non stop moaners. Sinead has been supporting De Town since she was eight and although still a very young lady, her enthusiasm and genuine support has never wavered. A regular at all home and away games, she not only talks the talk but also walks the walk. It was interesting to hear one former and highly respected player say that some followers seem to expect the standard of the top European teams from De Town. We’re a tiny club but we have a very hard working, dedicated group of volunteers,without whom, we’d have no club. When you see fit to voice negative opinions on social media, remember you’re hurting the very ones who are keeping your club afloat. Why not get actively involved with the club and use up the negative energy. We all moan at times but too much becomes boring. Enough.

Supporters’ Club Notes (14/05/2017)

LUCKLESS, POINTLESS

Saturday night last was a bad night at the office for De Town. While our opposition may be a single point from the top of the table, they’re certainly a beatable outfit. Yet, they’ve taken all six points from us from our two games. The eternal optimist will say that we halved the deficit this time but it simply wasn’t good enough. While many may say we deserved something from the game, experience has surely taught us that you seldom get what you think you deserve. Again, we fell to an early goal and never recovered. Losing two players to our injury jinx didn’t help either.

In the final few minutes we piled on the pressure and through a combination of superb goalkeeping and the woodwork, we were denied even a share of the spoils. And what all that means is that we’re ahead of Athlone on goal difference with Wexford sitting below both of us. The league table doesn’t make a pretty sight. On Friday night we travel south to face league leaders Waterford in a game that they’re relishing. With our growing injury list and our lack of scores, it’s not a game we’ll relish too much. But then again, football can be a funny old game, as the cliché says and it’d surely bring a smile to our face if we could cause an upset down there. After Waterford, Wexford are next on our home menu.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH / APRIL

Enda Curran was the worthy recipient of the April player of the month and he was presented with his trophy by Desi Maguire before kick off on Saturday. Desi really looked the part and had visited the barber earlier to make sure there wasn’t a hair out of place. The effort was really appreciated.

Each month a different member is drawn to make the presentation but if drawn, we don’t expect you to look as neatly shaven as Desi.

NO PROPER CONNECTION

Last week, the club hosted various All Ireland finals at school boylevel and as usual all visitors were loud in the their praise of our set up. The question was asked though as to why we don’t host under age internationals at the City Calling Stadium since everyone seems to think we have a top quality set up. Well, the answer is connectivity or lack thereof. Our broadband connection is not up to standard. It’s outrageous that the coverage appears to end of the N5 roundabout. At a recent council meeting there was a long debate about renaming a certain roundabout. Well, maybe “Broadband Ends Here Roundabout” would be a suitable name for the one just before the CCS.

CAR BOOT SALE

A few people have been in touch asking if we’d have more car boot sales. The simple answer is that we won’t. It’s difficult enough to get volunteers for our Bank Holiday car boot sales so we’ve no plans to extend our range, despite they being so popular and successful. Our next event is on the June bank holiday Monday. The June car boot sale always sees families clearing out attics and garages to make some extra spending money for their holidays. So you can be guaranteed some extra bargains.

CONGRATS

Heartiest congratulations to our energetic chairperson Avril Gilchriest on yet another outstanding successful HYPE festival in Longford at the week end. This year she oversaw 140 coaches transport 5,000 young people to the youth festival for what must be the biggest logistical undertaking in the county of the year. The magnitude and scale of the undertaking has to be seen to be believed. Avril, you and your team did a superb job and even though you had to miss the UCD game, we’re mighty proud of you. The Supporters’ Club is certainly in safe hands.

EMMET’S GANG

With Avril being unavoidably absent on Saturday night, Emmet Lyons took over as organiser of the half time underage game. Being an experienced Daddy, it was no trouble for Emmet to have his Newtownforbes charges kitted out and ready to rock spot on time. Thinking of the welfare of the youngsters, Emmet also made the wise decision of keeping the boys under cover during the first half of the game due to the heavy rain. All enjoyed their experience hopefully and it’s great to see this tradition revived.