Section O Says Hello (15/05/14)

SECTION O SAYS HELLO

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and a big hello for the first time this season from the other side of the ground. We apologise for the delay in bringing you our bi-weekly notes this season but a combination of severe writer’s block coupled with the unfortunate loss of the “o” key on our scribe’s laptop resulted in you having to do without these poorly put together, mildly entertaining and usually censored rants in your match programme for the first quarter of the season.

As we are now going into what should be our third game of the second series (presuming it’s not called off), it is fair to say that things have not went the way we would have expected so far this season. A long, dark winter followed our heart breaking play-off defeat to Bray last November but things took an unexpected promising turn early in the new year as a series of good news stories emerged from the club. First off, we managed to retain the services of Sully who many of us had accepted had played his last game in a Town jersey and was destined for the Premier division. We then brought back Don Cowan, one of the most exciting players to play for us in the last few years, throw in the vastly experienced former Rover’s captain Stephen Rice and another former Town great Pat Sullivan and it looked like we were turning into the Galacticos of the Airtricity League of Ireland First Division….as sexy as that sounds! We even signed the player whose goal kept us from promotion last year.....why not!

It is clear by now that the pre-season hype hasn’t lived up to expectations. With what is by far our best squad since we were relegated in 2007, we are already at a point in the season where we are playing catch up, maybe this time it could be better for us to be the underdogs. We were impressive in the very first game of the season in Galway and maybe the first 20 mins or so in Tolka before we were reduced to ten men. We may still have two games in hand but they are now must win games as all the games this season are slowly becoming.

Tonight is the first time we’ve played our visitors this season after the game in Cobh was called off. The nickname of the “Discover Ireland League” was brought to a whole new level for some members of Section O as they enjoyed a 9 hour round trip bus journey to the South with only a bag of chips and a pint or eight to show for it. Cobh in all seriousness are in poor form so far this season, rooted to the bottom of the league with a goal difference of -17.

Tonight is the start of a run where we are going to have to play 6 games in the space of just over two weeks ending with us playing Cobh again on the Monday of the June Bank Holiday. Although this run includes cup games, the league is our bread and butter and it is important that we push on from here and start to put together a chasing run similar to one which we have been victims of over the last two seasons. MON DE TOWN!

CUP SPECIALISTS AGAIN?

Before descending into the graveyard that is this division, you will all of course remember that we were once famed for being cup specialists. Despite the disappointing start to this season, it would seem we have found ourselves doing relatively well in two of the three cup competitions we are due to play in. We play Sheriff FC (venue to be confirmed) this Tuesday the 20th of May at 7.45 pm in the Leinster Senior Cup and then the following Monday we are due to play Bohs out in the CCS in the League Cup. Most of you will also already know that we have been drawn to play our dear neighbours in the FAIcup which is due to take place the weekend of the 6th of June in Athlone. There will no doubt be a lot of interest in this game as both teams are in need of a win of any kind already this season and a win over an arch rival in a derby will brighten the mood of any football fan……it has 0-0 draw written all over it!

AWAY DAYS

Our next away game is down in the RSC in Waterford on Friday night and Section O are hoping to run a bus as usual.Waterford seem to be once again going through some difficulties financially but it would appear that this has recent weeks galvanised their team so they will be hard to beat. If interested in booking a place on the bus please text Kieran on 0831670304 as soon as possible. We will also be running a bus to Athlone for the cup game next month, more on that to follow.

FANTASY PREMIER LEAGUE

Congratulations to Emmet “Magnet” Masterson for coming first in the Fantasy Football league run by the Supporter’s club and Section O. In the end Emmet won quite comfortably and has said that he is very much looking forward to having some kind of social life back after spending the majority of his days over the last few month’s studying stats. There will be a presentation to Emmet at tonight’s match. Also congratulations to a man well known to Town fans, Mick Lee for coming second and Michael Keenan for coming third. We hope to run a similar league again for the new season starting in August.

WORLD CUP SWEEPSTAKES

As everyone knows it is only a matter of weeks before the second biggest sporting event in the World (after the Leinster Senior Cup) is due to kick off in Brazil. We at Section O are planning on running a sweepstake as a small fundraiser for the club. Entry is €10 and we are planning to have the draw for teams at half time at the Shamrock Rovers B game in two week’s time. Prizes will be given out for 1st, 2nd and the worst team of the Tournament for those of you unlucky enough to draw Iran…or England!

CHANT OF THE WEEK

One that’s been going all season and has probably been heard by most of you;
“Allez Allez Allez Oh,
Allez Allez Allez Oh,
We’re Longford Town Fc,
Section O are we”

(Repeat until fluent in French)

SUPPORTERS CLUB NEWS

There was good news for Section O this week as members Kevin Carberry and Paddy Mc Garry were elected as Chairman and Secretary of the Official Supporters club as well a number of other members elected onto the committee. This is a promising step for Section O as it reinforces our connection with not only the Supporter’s club but the Club itself and it is hoped that it will influence some younger fans to get involved and let their voices be heard.

KEEP UPDATED

As always to keep up to date with the latest Section O news, like our page on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @section_o_ltfc! As it has been a long time since our last notes, we would also like to take this opportunity to thank Fitzy and Burko for the fantastic work they’ve done over the last year with both pages.