Supporters Club Notes

Supporters’ Club Notes (28/03/16)

NO NORTHERN DELIGHT

Finn Park provided no joy De Town as our run of poor results continues. A scored penalty for the hosts in the second half was enough to dampen spirits on a bitterly cold night. Although we had a few chances, Harps were absolutely determined to continue their relative impressive start on their home patch. Oonagh Casey, originally from Lanesborough but now exiled in Letterkenny, was on hand to take some excellent photos but some of them make for tough viewing! They’re available on the club website if you haven’t viewed already.

BOHS AGAIN

It’s back up the N4 to Dalymount when we face Bohemians again on Friday with a 7.45 kick off. With Friday being April 1st, here’s hoping we can make fools of the other red and black outfit and get some points on the board. It’s going to be tough of course but the following weekend could be tougher still when we play the current champions, Dundalk, at home.

CAR BOOT THANKS

The sun shone on our Easter Monday car boot sale but for the real early comers, it was a frosty start. But then again, those early risers are made of stern stuff and they paid little heed to the frost. We’ve two car boot sales behind us already with the next one on Monday May 2nd. A huge thanks to the many volunteers who gave of their precious free time to make these opening two car boot sales, such a success. From very early on Monday morning until well into the afternoon, there were different groups helping out. It’s great to see the team supported on the pitch but it’s equally to see the club supported in the car park! Thank you again for your valued support.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

The player of the month for March will be awarded before our next home game. This season a different member of the Supporters’ Club will make the presentation, just as the players head back down the tunnel after their warm up. To be in with a chance of making the presentation, make sure you join the Supporters’ Club as soon as possible.

FLASHBACK

With so much material available on the Easter Rising, some other sporting gems also became available. Fifty years ago this week, De Town were lying a credible 4th in the Leinster Senior League. Ahead of us were Belgrove, T.E.K. Utd and Transport. The teams below us were St Jame’s Gate, Jacobs, Aer Lingus, Glebe North, St Brendan’s, Dundala Rovers, Home Farm, UCD and propping up the league were the Gas Co. Waterford were then top of the League of Ireland and following a Waterford v Shelbourne clash, the headlines read “Hooliganism, injuries and batons follow Kilcohan game” “and Mob take over after the Reds hold Waterford” and that was 50 years before Roddy took over down there.

Supporters’ Club Notes (21/03/16)

POINT MADE

Both teams were looking for three points coming into this game but in the end,both Bray and ourselves had to settle for a point each. On a crisp, cool evening the chances were few and far between. The second half though saw Bray go one up thanks to Dean Kelly who plied his trade with us for part of last season and then Davy O’Sullivan was in the right place at the right time with the most bizarre of equalisers. Once again, it was the man in the middle who was a talking point with Kevin O’Connor seeing red. I wonder if his brother, watching from the stand, agreed with the ref. It was our second red card at home in two games.

Before kick off, well known Town supporter Raymond Grehan made a presentation on behalf of the Supporters’ Club to our former captain and current Bray player, Mark Salmon. The bearded Mark was clearly both surprised and chuffed with being remembered. Later when he came on as a sub, Section O unfolded a Thank You card written on a sheet. We must be the nicest club in the world, never mind Ireland !

LEESIDE LANDSLIDE

Cork City weren’t so generous to us last Monday night week when we went down to a heavy defeat. A local paper had a photo of a tired looking Pat Flynn alongside its online match report but that pic was taken in the City Calling Stadium and did not reflect Flynn’s demeanour post Cork. But anyway, Cork have serious intent on their minds this season and even the once mighty Dundalk have failed to score against them in two games, losing both. Among the Cork based Longford exiles spotted at the game were Mick Mallon, Killoe and Brian Donlon, son of the late John. Fair play though to the 15 or so die hard supporters who made the long trip south on a Monday night. Travelling by motorway from Portlaoise meant being back in Longford at 2.30 am which, all things considered isn’t too bad.

CAR BOOT SALE

Our first Car Boot Sale isn’t long over when an other one comes along. Don’t forget our second one is this Easter Monday bank holiday at the City Calling Stadium from early till 3pm. And once again, we ask for a few more volunteers to give a hand. Give Liam Healion a shout, especially if you can offer assistance in the morning. We also need some help with the tidy up afterwards.

HARPS AWAY

March 26th at 7.30 pm and we play recently promoted Finn Harps at Finn Park. It’s always a difficult venue to get a result and so far this season, all visiting teams can confirm that. They had over 4,000 for their first game against Derry City and came away with three valuable points. With our squad now resembling an army at war with the growing number of injuries and players unavailable, this is going to be a particularly stern test. Expect no prisoners.

Supporters’ Club Notes (29-02-16)

SUPPORTERS’ CLUB AGM

The Supporters’ Club AGM was held last Monday night in the Clubhouse. As usual, the meeting started on time and was well attended. As we now expect, it was an efficient meeting with all 12 items on the agenda being discussed.

Kevin Carberry retained his position as Chairman with newly elected Shane Gill as Secretary and Avril Gilchrist as his Assistant Secretary. Golden oldies Johnny Nevin and Tiernan Dolan just about held on their positions as Treasurer and PRO.

We’re in the fortunate position of not needing any improvements to our Clubhouse which means that any funds raised can be ploughed straight back into the Club itself. Already this year, we’ve made a significant contribution to the club purse.

What we really need are more members and more volunteers. Already there’s been great interest in re-joining us and we hope many more will jump on board at our first home game. Membership is ten euro for adults and half that for under 16s. There’s a whole host of incentives for joining with some still under negotiation. For starters, just by joining , you can win €100, become a player sponsor, present a monthly award and receive a discount at Edit Print and a discount when purchasing club merchandise and you’re supporting the club too.

So, in short, it’s a win – win situation.

Fans come and go, supporters simply support.

THE BIG KICK OFF

And we’re away, at last the wait is almost over. On Friday night, March 4th we make the long journey down to Wexford to take on newly promoted Wexford Youths with a 8pm kick off. It’s going a long, demanding tough season and every point will be precious. Getting a result against Wexford was always hard earned and this clash will be no different. Wexford Youths are still on a high following promotion and have revamped their facilities for the season ahead. They’re expecting a huge local following and are quietly confident of starting their campaign with a home win and all three points. On the other hand, we travel south with a long list of early injuries which is unfortunate at this early stage of the campaign. We have performed well in all our pre season games apart of course from that drubbing against Galway. In our final game Waterford defeated us 2-1.

It’s going to be tough but they’re all going to be tough; let the games begin.

BUS TO WEXFORD

If you want to book a seat on the Supporters’ bus to Wexford, then you’d better hurry. Text 083 167 0304 with your details. The bus will leave from Lidl, Dublin Road at 4pm sharp. You won’t want to miss the first game so get texting now and secure your seat.

CAR BOOT SALE

Our first Car Boot Sale takes place on St Patrick’s day, in the car park of the City Calling Stadium from very early till 3pm. So far these events have been hugely successful and hopefully this season, we can even build on that success. We do need more volunteers though. Give Liam Healion a shout whether you can help during the Car Boot Sale itself or helping with the tidy up afterwards.

Easter is early this year, so remember our next Car Boot Sale will be on the Easter bank holiday Monday.

AND FINALLY

Our plea all season will be to show your support for De Town. We don’t have money for a flashy marketing campaign or funds for a sharp ad but we do have an efficient, friendly club on your doorstep and we’d love if you’d support our efforts. Support local sport, C’mon De Town.