Longford Town FC Supporters’ Club Notes (22/07/2018)

JOB DONE

After a fairly dull first half, our game against Wexford on Saturday night burst in life in the second half. Two goals from Dylan Mc Glade (though Tristan wants video evidence to show he scored too) and Daniel O Reilly in the second half meant we bagged all three vital points. Wexford brought no support which didn't help the atmosphere on a night when many of usual supporters were on holiday duty. Certainly Pauric Connolly's contributions were missed from the stand but he assures us he'll be back for the game at Tolka on Friday night. Section O, once again kept the chanting and slagging going and were duly rewarded with a group photo with their victorious heroes at the end of the match. LTFC TV have added a second remote camera behind the goals which adds significantly to their video coverage. Remember, all the highlights can be viewed on the various social media platforms and have proved to be hugely popular with fans home and abroad.

SHELS AWAY ON FRIDAY

Friday night's clash is one of the most important we've played so far this season. Shels sit in fourth position on 36 points, while we're just behind them on 35 points. We need need to get to fourth place if we we're serious about promotion play off places. We know we can beat Friday night's opposition if we can only reproduce our best performances. Playing away is no real disadvantage and Tolka Park is only 90 minutes away from Longford. No doubt Section O will be organising a bus to make their presence felt which always gives the team a right good lift. Shels may have beaten us last Tuesday in what was really only a shadow boxing encounter. This Friday night and the gloves will surely be off. A win would be a very nice thank you and set us up for a focused run to the end of the league.

INTERNATIONAL FLAVOUR

While Saturday night's game against Wexford wasn't exactly our biggest crowd of the season so far, it certainly didn't lack for a truly international flavour. Section O's choir benefited from the addition of some Norwich supporters over from the UK. Meanwhile over in the stand, we hosted two club hoppers from Bavaria, Germany, Timo Siersch and Robert Schuster. Robert has already visited 650 stadia in 80 countries worldwide and said that although, it seems like a lot, he's very much at the lower end when compared to some real club hoppers. Both were delighted with the City Calling Stadium and the welcome they received adding that they prefer small local venues where supporters are there for real football and not just an impersonal corporate event. Incidentally, this was Robert's second time seeing De Town in action; his first was when we faced Vaduz, Liechtenstein in the UEFA Cup many, many seasons ago.

We also hosted three visitors from Tromso, Norway who made the long trip especially to see De Town play. 15 year old Benjamin Halvorsen first got to know of De Town through playing FIFA & Football Manager on his computer. As the years ticked by, the young lad (who also excels at chess internationally) had a dream of one day visiting the home of Longford Town FC. Incidentally, he loves De Town abbreviation. So this weekend, with help from his mother and her partner, his dream became a reality. In what was a lovely gesture after the game, the entire squad and management autographed his jersey and posed for photos. Already, his story of De Town and its friendliness is spreading rapidly back home in Norway.

BIRTHDAY WISHES

While Pauric Connolly continued to celebrate his big birthday on the southern coasts, Donald Keogh dashed back from Romania to celebrate his even bigger birthday after Saturday night's game. Meanwhile, our young whipper snapper of a Merchandise Manager, Sinead Keegan was also out celebrating her big day though she's far from being even half the age of our other two senior supporters. Congrats all.

FAMILY FUN DAY

August 4^th is Obama's birthday so he'll be unable to attend our Family Fun Day on the same day. A few years ago, we hosted two massively successful Fun Days which attracted huge crowds. This year, we'll have Bouncy Castles of all sorts as well as free face painting and a chance to meet and greet the players and have some pics taken. And we'll also have free ice cream available. Now, in all honestly where'd you get it ? The event will happen before the Athlone game, so make sure to note the date in your diary.

CAR BOOT SALE

The August Bank Holiday will certainly be a full and busy one for all supporters of De Town. On the bank holiday Monday, we'll be holding our second last Car Boot Sale of the season. So far all our CBS' have been hugely successful and have contributed handsomely to the Club's coffers. It opens around sunrise and goes on till 3.00pm.

OWN GOAL

Grass root supporters of all sporting codes were taken aback in relation to the situation regarding the testimonial game for the late Liam Miller. Word spread on social media over the week end that the larger Cork venue could host the charity match, and a number of national news and sports websites published articles based on those reports. However, Michael O'Flynn, a developer and family friend of Liam Miller, speaking to Trevor Welch on Cork's 98 FM he said he didn't know where those reports came from. Hopefully by the time you're reading these notes, sense will have prevailed and all sports supporters on Leeside and further afield can attend the deserving event.