Supporters Club Notes

Supporters’ Club Notes (29/04/2018)

Sun Apr 29th 2018

ROUGH JUSTICE

Twenty four hours after our home defeat to Finn Harps and still the anger, frustration and disappointment simmer away. Of course it’s time to forget and move on but maybe tomorrow. It was disappointing to gift our hosts a goal in the opening few minutes and even more so to gift wrap their winning goal in the 90th minute but it was between those two scores that really rankled with most supporters present. Finn Harps are a big, physical side. So too were UCD the previous week. But UCD played football and we simply left disappointed. We were clearly the better side and yet we came away with nothing. Even many travelling supporters admitted as much.

From early on, it seemed that Aodh Dervin was getting too much rough attention. He received little or no attention and certainly to protection from the referee. How the visitors remained with a full team on the pitch remains a mystery.

While we did manage a superb Dylan McGlade equaliser, we failed to rattle their net a second time. Overall, it was a marked improvement on the previous home performance. If only the officials were on the ball, Aodh Dervin would have lasted the full game and maybe helped us to a fairer slice of the proceedings. Of course we have our own glaring weakness but Saturday night will live long in the memory as a night of rough and tumble justice.

COBH AWAY, AWAY

Despite two home losses in a row, it looks like we’ll have a decent crowd heading south to Cobh on Saturday. Section O have a bus already full and plenty of other supporters are heading down to stay over. We know we should have beaten Cobh at home in our opening game but that’s over and done with now. Whilst Cobh aren’t flying high as last season, they’re still a formidable outfit in their own back yard. And when you add in our growing list of long term injuries, we know it’s set to be another battle. But as we clearly demonstrated in our magnificent win against Shamrock Rovers, we can play when we’re not battered and bruised. Then on the Tuesday afterwards, it’s back down to Cobh again for the League Cup Quarter Finals. Another win in the south and then beat Dundalk at home. Sure, why not. Safe travels to all who are making the long trip(s) south.

WHAT NEXT?

We’re now in 6th position in the league, a full ten points behind UCD. We’ve played all teams once and so what’s the future? Well, we lost too many points in the dying minutes of three games. Surely we can improve on that. We seem to be shy in front of goals and don’t test the opposing keeper enough. Again, that’s something that can be improved on. Almost every one agrees that we have a good, solid squad; maybe even superior to last season. Yes, we need a goal getter and the sooner the better. We also need some of our injured players back ASAP. As has already been stated, our attendances are up but our luck is down. As one learned supporter quipped, it’s better to be hitting a bump in the early part of the season rather than the latter. As the song says, “ the only way is up”. Keep the faith – C’mon de Town!

PLAYER OF THE MONTH / APRIL

Aodh Dervin was the outstanding player of April which is no joke for the young, talented, local Leaving Cert student and therefore the worthy winner of Player of the Month. Hopefully he’ll be throwing away his crutches before he receives his award from Phil Pike. That presentation will be made before the game against Shelbourne on Saturday May 19th – which, oddly is our only home league game in May.

CAR BOOT SALE

The May Bank Holiday Monday is our next Car Boot Sale. Gates open very early and the event itself continues until mid afternoon at 3pm. The weather spoiled our last one so hopefully the day will shine bright and long and dry on Monday next. Restoring a working scoreboard may be our next big project, so we need every cent we can gather. We’ll be short on our usual excellent volunteers for this car boot sale so if you can afford an hour or two, please do help us.

EASTERN EUROPE

Safe travels to those supporters who are heading to Poland this weekend. One of the results in the influx of Polish people to Longford is the increased amount of marriages between the two countries. It’s nice to see a few from Polska attending the City Calling Stadium, a number which will hopefully grow in the future.

Supporters’ Club Notes (08/08/2018)

Sun Apr 8th 2018

FLATTERED

The final score read 3-0 to De Town against Cabinteely in our game played last Saturday night. It looks good on paper and it secured us all three valuable points. However,being brutally honest, we were flattered by that final scoreline. We were fortunate throughout the game. Fortunate to have gone ahead early in the game with an og. Fortunate that our visitors missed golden goal opportunities. But the scoreline doesn’t lie and two late , excellent goals certainly added some gloss to a sometimes lacklustre performance.

We were fortunate too that the rain held off until the very end. Heading home from the CCS as a drizzly darkness enveloped the grounds, there were plenty of positives to ponder too. Our home record of remaining unbeaten was still intact, we kept an other clean sheet and netted a couple of memorable goals. It was also encouraging to see our two local lads start the game and show their total commitment – both were rewarded with yellow cards! Three goals and three points, we may have been flattered but we’re not complaining at all.

DROGHEDA AWAY

This Friday night, April 13th we travel over to Drogheda to face the current league leaders. The Drogs sit on top of the league with 13 points, ahead of Shelbourne and UCD on goal difference. We are breathing down their necks on 11 points. Leaving the City Calling Stadium on Saturday night, one young optimistic support explained to his bemused Dad that Drogheda shouldn’t prove a problem for us. Drawing on his knowledge of recent games, he pointed out that Cabinteely beat the Drogs and we beat Cabinteely, so therefore we had to beat Drogheda! If only it was so simple. As everyone is rightly saying, it’s the tightest of tight leagues and Friday night is going to be one heck of a tough, tight encounter. Hopefully, it’ll be unlucky Friday 13th for our hosts!

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Chris Mulhall was the popular recipient of the Player of the Month trophy for March. He was presented with his trophy by Bernie McLoughlin just as the players trooped off after their warm up. Each month, the award is presented by a different paid up member of the Supporters’ Club, with a lottery determining who makes the presentation. As well as making the presentation, Bernie now has a new profile photo for her social media. If you want to have a chance of presenting next month’s winner, make sure to join the Supporters’ Club.

LETTER OF REPLY

At our AGM at the start of the season, it was decided to nominate loyal Town supporter Padraic Gearty as the person after whom the new Camlin pedestrian bridge be called. A letter outlining our position was sent to the county manager and last week a reply was received from an official on his behalf. The business of naming the bridge, they said, will be carried out by a “ naming committee”. So now you know.

CAR BOOT SALE

When Liam Healion arrived out to set up the car boot sale, last Easter Monday morning, the time was 3.10am. And would you believe it, there was a stall holder already there, waiting patiently. He had travelled almost 100 miles from Co. Armagh. It was dark, wet, windy and cold but neither weather nor time seemed to deter this gentleman. By mid morning a group of young American students, part of a church community were busy cleaning up the litter along the approach road. And finally after 3pm, our own small dedicated group were out making sure the car park didn’t have even one piece of paper floating around. We have an incredible group of volunteers who can’t can’t be thanked enough but thank you again. The May Bank Holiday Monday is our next car boot sale.

BALL KIDS

We had a full turn out of our ball kids team last Saturday night. They may be young but they’re extremely professional in their approach and attitude and a credit to their mentors. As well as our excellent ball kids, we also had youngsters from Ballyboro entertain us at half time. None of this happens by waving a magic wand, so, again a big thank you to their mentors, parents and of course, Avril Gilchriest who keeps everything ticking over.

SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

De Town social media platforms are surpassing themselves so far this season. As well as regular twitter updates, we also have our LTFC website and a Facebook page for both the Club and the Supporters’ Club. At the end of each game, we post an array of photos, covering action on and off the pitch. Shortly afterwards, thanks to James Donnelly, there’s a video review of the match and some interviews with the manager and players. And then of course there’s the ground breaking podcasts from Between the Stripes by Kieran Burke and Jon Brier.

LONGFORD DUBLIN ASSOCIATION

This Saturday night sees the Longford Dublin Association hold their Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony. The venue is the Moran Red Cow Hotel, Dublin 12 and the night kicks off at 8pm. The principal organisers, who also raise funds for local charities are loyal Town supporters and if you’d like a last minute ticket, contact either Tony Gilleran or Padraic Connolly. This year Liam Fenlon, Padraig Farrell and D. Glennon are receiving awards.


Supporters’ Club Notes (01/04/2018)

Sun Apr 1st 2018

NO GOALS, ONE POINT

Galway United, according to many of their supporters and a few pundits were firm favourites for automatic promotion. Therefore, there was some trepidation ahead of our trip west to face the Tribesmen last Friday night. But after a nervy start, it was the visitors who looked the better side by far. Led by Aodh Dervin, De Town got stuck in and played some really attractive football. In truth, if we had been able to convert our chances, we’d have returned home with all three points and very happy Easter bunnies indeed. Before kick off, some home fans were talking about it being a six pointer but by the final whistle, both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils. The same Galway fans were hugely disappointed with their own performance and went as far as to say that promotion for them was already slipping from view. With their floodlights failing for a while on Friday night, maybe their pre season hype is also failing to materialise. There was a small travelling support from De Town but they were certainly heard right throughout the game and full credit to Section O for their full throated ,vocal support.

CABINTEELY AT HOME

This Saturday night, April 7th, we welcome Cabinteely to the City Calling Stadium with a 7.30pm kick off. Cabinteely shocked the socks off high flying Drogheda last Friday night, beating them 3-2. So we can’t say we haven’t been warned. So far we’ve played pretty well at home and so far remain unbeaten. To maintain this record, we need many more supporters getting out to the City Calling Stadium and to be the 12th man. Three points would be the perfect start to April which sees us face UCD and Finn Harps later in the month.

SHAMROCK ROVERS AWAY

Monday evening, April 2nd, Shamrock Rovers are our opposition at Tallaght Stadium in the EA Sports Cup, which kicks off at 7.00pm. Our hosts overcame our struggling neighbours ,Sligo Rovers 1-0 on Friday last. According to some Sligo fans en route home, Shamrock Rovers were poor enough and were there for the taking and said we could provide the shock of the round with a bit of luck. Personally, I’d prefer a win on Saturday night.

CAR BOOT SALE

At the time of writing this, our Easter car boot sale has yet to happen. But, once again, a massive thank you to the incredible volunteers who rise from their warm cosy beds before some even go to bed. The gates open at 4am and the last of the bargains happen 11 hours later. It’s a tough, long thankless job. But their superb dedication helps bring in much needed funds to keep De Town’s show on the road. Well done lads.

 

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

Although our division gets little or no media coverage nationally, the standards have soared and this season so far is the closest ever. UCD are on top with 13 points with Drogheda and a resurgent Shelbourne on 10 points. Galway are on their shoulders with 9 points while we, along with Finn Harps have 8. Cabinteely are a mere 2 points behind on 6. It really couldn’t be much closer at this early stage. The cliché says that every game is important but surely this has never been truer than the 2018 season. Every goal and every mistake matters. Be part of the real drama and follow de Town to the top!

PLAYER OF THE MONTH / MARCH

Heartiest congratulations to Chris Mulhall who is the Supporters’ Club Player of the Month for March. Bernie McLoughlin was drawn in a lottery from the paid up members of the Supporters’ Club and will make the presentation. The presentation is made in front of the stand just as the players come off after their warm up.

JOIN US

If you haven’t joined the Supporters’ Club, then there’s a chance to do so this Saturday night. All you have to do is fill out the form on the envelope and pop in €10. The envelopes are available on the counter in the Clubhouse. It couldn’t be simpler. We’d love to see you join our happy family!


Supporters’ Club Notes (26/03/2018)

Mon Mar 26th 2018

FIVE STAR WIN

On a lovely night for football, we scored five times against Athlone Town to bring our home tally to ten goals. We also remain unbeaten at home. It was great to see young local lad Aodh Dervin start the game and play so well too. But as many in the decent sized crowd commented, it was probably the poorest ever side to don the Athlone jersey. Normally, there’s a large travelling support but they too failed to materialise. In truth, we could have doubled our tally and still wouldn’t have been flattered. A few supporters wondered why we played in our away strip; seemingly the referee wasn’t happy with the Athlone strip but they had brought no away strip so we changed instead. Maybe that was why we started so poorly and were a goal behind before we even settled into our seats. But once we got into our stride, it was only a matter of how many goals we could notch up. Despite some poor clearances by their keeper, he did make some brave stops and together with our shyness to shoot, it finished up only 5-1. But playing without a number of first team regulars, we are not complaining with the three points on offer being safely bagged.

GALWAY AWAY

Our next game, away to Galway United will be a different kettle of fish to Athlone; indeed it’ll be a different kettle. Friday, March 30th is the date and 7.45pm is kick off time at Eamonn Deacy Park and it promises to be one tough game. If you’d like to travel by coach, you can book by contacting 083 167 0304 by lunch time this Wednesday. Hopefully, it’ll be a very good Friday for us.

CAR BOOT SALE

The dust has barely settled on our first Car Boot Sale and already our next one is upon us. The Easter Bank Holiday Monday, April 2nd is the date for your diary. Gates open at 4am with the opportunity for early stall holders to pay the nominal fee. As usual, it continues on till 3pm when the big clean up commences. The March Car Boot Sale exceeded all expectations. Despite the poor weather forecast, a huge crowd witnessed a remarkable day of trading and all have promised to be back on Monday for more of the same. When it comes to Car Boot Sales and volunteers to run them, it looks like we’re league winners.

MATCH PROGRAMME AND MORE

Once again well done to our team behind the match programme. The cover was a classic pic from the 1980’s taken from the Longford Memories Facebook page. And while on the subject of Facebook, there’s an extensive gallery of photos from our game against Athlone on both our Facebook pages and the club website. On Sunday, a good few regular Town supporters headed up to see the Gaelic match. It was interesting to compare the facilities between the CCS and GBPP.

 

STEPHANIE

It was lovely to see Stephanie Roche, Dean Zambra’s best friend at the match on Saturday night. Despite having her leg heavily strapped following an injury, she willingly made her way from the stand to be photographed with the Gael’s U10 girls team. Currently, Stephanie is a striker with Sunderland Ladies and is an Ireland international. Apart from her international scoring prowess, she’ll be fondly remembered for her remarkable goal scored for Peamount against Wexford Youths in October 2013.

Thankfully, that stunning goal was captured on camera and duly went viral. Later, she was short listed for the 2014 FIFA Puskas Award for the Best Goal of the Year. Stephanie was the only female nominated. She eventually made it to the last three alongside James Rodriguez and Robin van Persie – who both scored their goals in the 2014 World Cup.

Talking about the massive publicity that surrounded that goal and her subsequent media coverage, Stephanie was just happy that the women’s game was in the limelight. Well, the Gaels U10 girls and their mentors were over the moon to have shared a little of that limelight on Saturday night last.

 

PLAYER OF THE MONTH – MARCH

The Player of the Month will be chosen after the game against Galway United and the presentation will be made at the next home game. Each month, the presentation will be made from the list of current members of the Supporters’ Club. If you’re lucky enough to be drawn, please be available at the players’ tunnel as they come off the pitch after their warm up.

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