Supporters Club Notes

Supporters’ Club Notes (08/10/2017)

Sun Oct 8th 2017

WINNING FINALE

Apart from the annoying midges, Saturday night last was a perfect night for football. With a 7.45pm kick off, instead of our usual 7.30pm almost everyone was in the City Calling Stadium on time for a change. Despite there being nothing much at stake, the players gave it their all. It ended with a 1-0 win, courtesy of a Sully header, which left us in fifth place.

For a final game of the campaign though, it had an excellent atmosphere no doubt aided by the born again Section O and a group of new comers to the City Calling Stadium as well as a growing youth attendance. Just like the previous week in Waterford, local lad Aodh Dervin put in an outstanding performance who somehow managed to cover every blade of grass. It was a good night too for young Nenagh based keeper Jack Brady who brought off yet another flying save from a free kick.

As usual, we thought we deserved a few more goals but at least we left the 2017 stage with a victory and if the Republic could manage the same against Wales on Monday night, we’d all be happy – irrespective of the midges.

WELCOME GUESTS

Fair play to our over worked chairperson Avril Gilchriest and Carmel Daly who worked together to make a very special night for about 20 residents of the Direct Provision Hostel, Richmond Street. A bus was provided to bring the lads to and from the game. From the moment of alighting the bus, they helped create a terrific upbeat atmosphere in the City Calling Stadium. It certainly didn’t take them too long to learn “C’mon De Town” as they continuously roared and cheered every positive move made by the men in red and black. Some Direct Provision people based in Mayo were on national radio complaining about lack of things to do, so it was heartening to see LTFC take the initiative to do something practical and worthwhile for them. Once again, it’s encouraging to see De Town take a lead in local social issues.

AWARDS NIGHT

Following the win over Wexford, it was straight back into town to the aptly floodlit Longford Arms Hotel for the end of season Awards Night. Although organised in a relatively short period of time, everything was in ship shape order. We had more awards than usual but Midland Trophies, Ballymahon rose to the occasion as per usual. It was obvious that a lot of work had gone into creating the red and black theme and even though, more than anticipated turned up, under the watchful eye of Orlagh Reynolds, everything went like clockwork. Tony Ghee was our competent MC for the occasion and no better man. Sincere thanks for all who made the night such a sweet success and to the speech makers for keeping their words short and sweet. Sweetness all round !

THE AWARD RECEIPIENTS

In the U17 section, Goal of the Season was won by Evan O’Connor, Players’ Player of the Season was Patrick O’Sullivan while Player of the Season was Dragos Mamaliga.

Goal of the Season in the U19 section was Josh Madigan while Daniel O’Donovan won the Player of the Season.

In the senior section, Player of the Month for September was Dean Zambra while Young Player of the Season was Tristan Noack-Hofmann. There was a specially commissioned trophy for our triple hat trick scorer Davy O’Sullivan and another special edition for retiree player Noel Haverty. Goal of the season was won by Peter Hopkins with Player of the Season being awarded to Daniel O’Reilly.

Photos of all the winners are on our Club and Supporters’ Club Facebook pages and on LTFC.ie

Sincere congratulations to all the award winners. All the trophies were provided by the Supporters’ Club.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The season may be over but the Supporters’ Club doesn’t take any break. We have our bank holiday Car Boot Sale fast approaching. It’s the final one of the season but as usual, we could do with a few more volunteers. There are strong rumours circulating that we’ll be hosting two under age Internationals next month, so we’ll be on duty for them too. And then we always strive to have some fundraising towards the end of December (it’s too early to mention the actual time yet!)

It’s been a long, topsy turvy season. We started optimistically but quickly floundered, however we did manage to steady things and finished off the season with a renewed sense of optimism. It was encouraging to see (and hear) Section O rise from the ashes as well as to see many youth teams occupy the half time slot and double jobbing as effective ball boys and girls. Overall we have a terrific amount of youngsters now attending games on a regular basis which is great to see.

The Clubhouse experienced a very successful season and at this stage, it’s hard to believe that it wasn’t always there. Special mention must go to our industrious Clubhouse manager, Brendan Finnegan who does extra duty for the underage games as well as all the senior ones. This extra duty has made a significant addition to our finances.

The Supporters’ Club continue to do its best to support the Club but we certainly could do with a few more signings for next season.

Nothing happens by magic so please feel free to join the magicians who make it happen.

Supporters’ Club Notes (25/09/2017)

Mon Sep 25th 2017

AODH’S A

Aodh Dervin started his second match in a row for De Town against Waterford and put in a top show , getting an A for his superb performance. Well done Aodh, the future certainly looks bright.
It was a long,long way down to Waterford for the ten or so supporters who were outnumbered by at least two hundred to one as the Waterford crowd finally emerged to acknowledge their team. They have high hopes down there but according to some locals, the team next year will have a distinct foreign feel. We wish them well, of course. On the night, we clapped the league winners onto the pitch and then almost upset their frantic celebrations. Once again, it was a game in which we deserved at least a share of the spoils but a late,late winner was enough to cue the celebrations for the home side.

FINAL GAME OCTOBER 7th

Our final game of the season will take place on Saturday October 7th at the City Calling Stadium when Wexford make the trip to the midlands. Some say the kick off is the usual 7.30pm, others maintain it’ll be 7.45pm but we’ll know for sure next week. Anyway, be there for 7.30pm and you can’t go wrong. It has been truly a topsy turvy season but our final game against Wexford is an opportunity to end on a high and to plan for greater things next season. The player of the month for September will be awarded before the game.

FENN–TASTIC

Congratulations to our boss Neale Fenn who was awarded Player of the Tournament at the Sport Against Racism Ireland Soccerfest 2017 on Saturday last. Neale dazzled while on the Malaysia 97 team and was pictured receiving his award along with his former manager, Brian Kerr. Back in ’97, Brian Kerr babes stunned the international soccer community be winning bronze in Malaysia in the FIFA World Youth Championships. A certain former Town favourite, Alan Kirby, Ballinalee was of course a huge start on that same team and was also present in the Phoenix Park, enjoying the banter with his family.

MANY CONGRATS

Belated happy birthday to the Stapleton brothers who both celebrated birthdays recently. Also congrats to our new crime buster Garda Ethan Fitzpatrick who graduated last week. And finally heartiest congrats to Peter Nevin who tied the knot with Orlaith at the week end.

PREDICTION COMPETITION

If you haven’t entered our relegation prediction competition on our Facebook page, there’s still time. The week end results certainly threw up a few shocks and it’ll be a while before the Fat Lady sings so there’s still some time. So get clicking.

CAR BOOT SALE

With October just round the corner, our next and final Car Boot Sale is fast approaching. More details shortly.

Supporters’ Club Notes (17/09/2017)

Sun Sep 17th 2017

NO REWARD

Despite serving up a main menu of swift, flowing passing football, we failed to get our due desserts in our drawn game against the students of UCD on Saturday night. It was a game we should have and could have won comfortably. But sport can be cruel as experienced first hand by former Town player, the gifted Andy Moran on Sunday. Despite clearly being the better team, we only had a Sully goal from a penalty to show for all our great efforts. Their sloppy, equalising goal came from our misadventure but that unfortunate lapse was enough for us to drop two points. Not that it matters a great deal since Waterford were crowned champions following Cobh’s 3-0 hammering by Cabinteely. However Neale Fenn and everyone else want a strong finish and as stated, we played some excellent stuff but we repeatedly failed to trouble their keeper. The linesman ruled out our second goal for a harmless infringement while later those in the stand were on their feet celebrating an other second goal, which turned out to be only the side netting. It was that sort of frustrating night when the midges were feasting while we weren’t hungry enough in front of goals.

WATERFORD AWAY

Friday, September 22nd was a date highlighted early on in pre season as a possible game to determine the League’s outcome. But a lot of water has passed under a lot of bridges since then and already Waterford are the only team to be promoted this season. In pre season according to the so called experts, it was to be a two horse race between the Blues and us. Unfortunately our challenge failed to materialise and a poor start left us floundering at the start line. Congratulations to Waterford who’ll relish the return to the top flight, for a season at least. The game kicks off at 7.45pm on Friday but realistically most Town supporters will be following the game on social media.

Our final game of the season will be Saturday October 7^th at 7.45pm when all games kick off simultaneously.

BIRTHDAY GIRL

Congrats to our hard working, diligent chairperson Avril Gilchrist who celebrated an other birthday over the week end. Right throughout the season, Avril has made great strides in providing under age teams for the half time period as well as various teams of enthusiastic ball boys and ball girls. These youngsters have helped recreate a lively atmosphere at games and particularly at the end when they go autograph hunting from their heroes. This sort of activity goes largely unseen or unheeded by many adult supporters but it’s a vital cog in the club’s development and helps create the supporters of the future. All you have to do is check out the joy on the faces of the young supporters on either of our two Facebook pages, Don Cowan and young Dillon is a perfect example of pure joy. So from all your young and not so young fans, a very happy season ahead Avril..we know you’ve already enjoyed an unforgettable week end of partying.

SLIGO SCRIBE RIP

The death has recently occurred of Séamus Finn, former editor of the Sligo Champion. As a cub reporter, he was banned by Sligo Rovers from their home turf, the Showgrounds – a unique achievement for any reporter.

Finn had felt no need to mince his words when reporting on how Sligo Rovers, a full-time profession team in 1969, got dumped out of the FAI Cup by lowly non-league side Longford Town. Rovers. When he showed up for his next assignment at the Showgrounds he was told he was no longer welcome in the pressbox.

Typically he fought back, mustering the support of the National Union of Journalists to such a degree that no reporter, local or national, would cover a Sligo Rovers game and soon the ban was lifted.

Thus yet another chapter of intrigue was added to that famous 1969 game, already well documented by our own Johnny Nevin.

Supporters’ Club Notes (10/09/2017)

Sun Sep 10th 2017

DIFFERENT CLASS

All week, hopes of causing a Cup upset ran high among the loyal Town supporters. Cork City had been stuttering and spluttering and we had hope for a continuation. At five o clock their kit van arrived, something seldom, if ever seen at the City Calling Stadium. Later, when the squad arrived, you’d swear they were an international set, such was its size swollen by a team of physios and various footballing consultants. Their subsequent warm up was even of an intensity seldom seen locally. Practically each player was given a talking to by Caulfield as they headed back down the tunnel before kick off. It was obvious that this Cork City team had been earlier humiliated by Shamrock Rovers and even Sligo Rovers and were now on a mission of redemption. And that was unfortunate for us.

While two of their four goals had a whiff of luck about them, there was no denying the gulf in class between the runaway League leaders and current Cup holders who were on a mission to achieve the double this season. By half time, our Cairn Hill had morphed into an Everest. But in fairness, our second half performance was much better. But a four two scoreline was about the best we could have hoped for and at the final whistle had to settle for 1-4 with the visitors scoring all five.

Cork City might have been a different class on the field of play but sadly, they didn’t display any class in the disgraceful way they left the dressing rooms. When their full professional players were turning over for a Sunday morning sleep in, our volunteers were out in the City Calling Stadium tidying up their unwanted mess.

STUDENTS AT HOME

And so it’s on to our penultimate home game this Saturday when we host UCD. Kick off is at 7.30pm when there will be hardly the same crowd present at the City Calling Stadium. For the Cork City game. we had about 1,000 present with a large travelling contingent. Much is made of separating supporters at other grounds but on Saturday night, all supporters intermingled with no problems at all. We certainly won’t have to worry about the UCD supporters, if any at all travel. At the moment UCD are ahead of us by 6 points so, even if we win, we won’t be leapfrogging like we did in our last two games. However, we really want to finish the league on a high and would seven points from our last three games be acceptable? Cobh, with our help can still catch Waterford and the final game of the season between those two Munster sides could seal the deal. But for us, we simply want to finish as high and as well as possible and start planning for the season ahead.

JACK’S THE LAD

Heartiest congratulations to Jack Brady on his Player of the Month award for August. He was clearly both surprised and delighted to his receive the award before Saturday night’s game. Although, Saturday night’s result didn’t go the way we’d have liked, Jack still managed to bring off a couple of fine saves from a fairly lethal visiting strike-force.

PREDICTION WINNER

In the week leading up to the Cup game, we ran a score prediction on our own Facebook page. Although the Supporters’ Club Facebook page is only up and running a short while, it received a huge response, way ahead of anything we could have predicted. Anyway, congrats to Shane Marron who was one of those who got the score correct and was then drawn by lottery. The prize is free membership for next season. Already plans are being hatched for another prediction competition before the season’s end.

SOUTHERN PRAISE

Many Cork City supporters were once again loud in the praise for our set-up at the City Calling Stadium. One middle aged man was particularly loud in his praise. He added that he has travelled with Cork all over Ireland and to a few venues in Europe as well . There wasn’t a thing he could fault us with he said. From friendly, efficient officials to toilets, clubhouse and car parking, he said we’re the best in the land. He couldn’t get over how well the pitch looked despite all the recent downpours. There was only one thing he couldn’t understand and that was why we didn’t get to host internationals and some level, even under age. And so say all of us.

LOST WALLET

One Cork City fan who travelled with a number of children lost his wallet in the stand on Saturday night. A search was carried out , early on Sunday morning after he reported it missing but alas, nothing was found. Hopefully someone found it and will hand it in early in the week. You can imagine how much it would mean to the unfortunate man.

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