Supporters Club Notes

Supporters’ Club Notes (30/05/16)

WHISTLEBLOWER

The scene for summer soccer was perfect, the setting was ideal as the chirpy t-shirted crowd made their way to the City Calling Stadium. An impressive spattering of good natured Cork accents added to the occasion. It was bottom of the table hosting second from top and a team that had hit us for six down in Cork. Yet, for the opening 34 minutes we held them at bay and indeed posed some threats ourselves. There were no complaints until the 34th minute when the whistleblower decided to flash red at the unfortunate Tristan Noack-Hoffmann. Although we managed to go in at half time on equal terms, it was obvious that there’d be a mountain to be climbed in the second half. And so it turned out. Maguire, who seems to like to score against us put them one up early on and then two late goals sealed it for the Leesiders when ten man Town simply ran out of steam. If ever a result didn’t reflect the play this was it. Some travelling Cork City supporters weren’t overly impressed with their own performance and admitted that if it wasn’t for the harsh (they agreed) sending off, the outcome could have been a whole lot different.

BRAY AWAY

This Friday night, the players have to pick themselves up again as they play fellow struggling Bray. This vital, bottom of the league clash kicks off at 7.45pm in the Carlisle Grounds and we hope as many as possible Dublin based Longford people can make the short trip on the DART to support the red and black. After that, there’s a break and hopefully our second half will be a million miles better than our opening period. With Wexford, Finn Harps and Sligo now doing well, the second half is going to be intense. But everything is possible and of late St Pats and Galway aren’t exactly flying either. It’s going to be tough, very tough.

DRUG TESTING

A small army of drug testers descended on the City Calling Stadium ahead of last Sunday afternoon’s game. It was an unannounced visit and before the game two players and one sub from each side were selected. The players were unaware of this until after the game. The head of the visiting delegation was suitably impressed with the facilities afforded himself and his team and even went as far as saying that “they were tops in the league and that included those at Tallaght Stadium”. The drug testing team watched the game from the far side of the tunnel.

SIGNS PLEASE

As was said earlier there was a good crowd from Cork up for the match. One Leeside couple met our hard working Treasurer in the Clubhouse at half time and had plenty of positive comments about our set up. But it was one comment which they made, made complete sense. They had stopped in the town before the game and asked for directions to the City Calling Stadium. They asked six people. Five hadn’t a clue. The sixth, a Polish national gave them perfect directions.

You don’t have to be a genius to work out that we really need some signs informing visitors of where we play. Surely, the County Council could erect a simple sign at the Longford Arms and an other at the N4/N5 roundabout. Is that too much to ask ?

CAR BOOT SALE

As if you didn’t know, our Car Boot Sale is on this bank holiday Monday, June 6th. It kicks off very early and the final whistle sounds at 3pm. We’re always looking for volunteers to help Liam and his team at the start and then for the litter pick up after 3pm. The last Car Boot Sale was a magnificent success but that success doesn’t happen by magic, we really could do with your help.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

The Player of the Month award for May will be made at our next home game which means June 25th against Finn Harps. It’s a long way away but with the way time is flying and the sun is shining, it’ll be like tomorrow. The winner will be announced here next week.

NO CREEDON SHOW

It was widely anticipated that John Creedon, RTE would have been among the attendance on Sunday. However, an e-mail late in the week stated that due to filming commitments the affable Cork City supporter and Longford Town fan couldn’t make the journey. On Friday night though, on the Creedon Show on RTE Radio, he gave the club a massive plug promising he’d be in the CCS before too long.

Supporters’ Club Notes (23-05-16)

CUP WIN

It’s always food to report a win even if it’s the Cup. Last Friday night the long journey to the RSC,Waterford was made worthwhile with a good 0-2 win. Two goals in rapid succession by Lee Duffy, (a really stunning goal) and then Philip Gannon from the edge of the box. It was a wet night down in the south east but at least we’re in the hat for the next round, so fingers crossed for a decent draw. One of the talking points was the poor local crowd. It’s amazing that for a place the size of Waterford that they’re not rallying behind the cause, especially for a one off cup tie. At the end of the game, some of their hardcore, truly dedicated and hard working supporters were shaking their heads, not so much at the outcome of the game but for their actual future. It’s a long, long way from the buzz that’s building for the international team and the Euros.

CORK ON SUNDAY

On Sunday 29th May, we host Cork City at the City Calling Stadium with a kick off time of 3pm. This note got his days wrong last time and sincere apologies for that. Following an in depth investigation, 2 weeks wages have been docked to ensure that there’s no repeat goof. Our first trip to Leeside was one we’d prefer to forget so this is a chance to set the record straight and give them a bit of a fright. Hopefully the unusual time of three o clock on a Sunday afternoon will help bring out a crowd. We could do with as many Sunday supporters as possible.

PITY…

Last week end UCD had an exciting win against Bray. Pity though it wasn’t a league game, which would have taken us off the bottom rung. Hopefully, we’ll be climbing up a rung or two very soon.

CONGRATS

Best wishes to Paddy Donnelly who reached the half century last weekend. By all accounts he had a great weekend of it especially with all his teams doing well too.

CAR BOOT SALE

Don’t forget our next Car Boot Sale is fast approaching. Monday June 6th is the date and then there won’t be one till the August bank holiday week end. We have been promised some extra volunteer helpers for this event but we could always do with more. Give Liam a shout, he certainly could do with some more back up, especially on the early shift.

CREEDON

The coverage of the domestic league by the nationals always leaves something to be desired. However one man who always gives every club a mention is RTE’s John Creedon. De Town seems to hold a special place in the heart of the affable Cork City fan and he often gives us a plug on his nightly music slot. So, if you’re travelling north for the match Creedo, you’re very welcome to the City Calling Stadium.

FANTASY FOOTBALL RESULTS

Well done to Hugh Connolly, Oscar Deacy and Darren Quinn who finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Supporters’ Club competition. Thanks to all who entered this popular competition and fundraiser. We’ll be in touch regarding prizes during the week.

Supporters Club Notes (9/9/16)

CRUEL NIGHT

It was more like sodden soccer than summer soccer last Saturday night after a day of non stop rain which continued right throughout our game against Shamrock Rovers. The rain was so bad the visiting supporters were allowed into the stand. Shamrock Rovers are supposed to be a top professional team so we wondered how we’d cope facing the mighty Hoops. From early on, it was the home side that was on top despite the atrocious conditions and a changed starting eleven. But slippery conditions and an unfortunate mishap put paid to what could have been a super night in the rain. Kaleem Simon was pulled down in the penalty area when straight through on goal but the ref waved play on. Had we scored from what should have been a penalty, well, we’ll never know now. It got worse when our keeper Paul Skinner fell awkwardly following a kick out and he had to be replaced by 19 year old Ian Molloy.

The battling Town were dealt another hammer blow when the hosts were gifted their lead goal following an OG. Despite this set back, De Town continued to get back in the game. But then the slippery conditions played a cruel hand when Molloy slipped coming to gather with the ball ending up in the net. After that, it seemed like the heart went out of the struggle.

It was a truly a cruel night when the score certainly didn’t reflect the heroic effort on the pitch. Overall our performances are improving and hopefully we can something from Tuesday night when fellow strugglers Wexford Youths come to town.