For the last four years I've had some great days on the road following Dundalk Football Club. Back in 1998/99 I recorded details of every away trip on this website. Well due to popular request [three people] I've decided to bring it back this year. I won't accept money to get your name mentioned, but if you want to make sure your name isn't mentioned, then all cash sums will be gratefully accepted
Of course, I wouldn't be able to get to most of these games were it not for the brilliant Oriel Travel Club. For every Dundalk away game, League, FAI Cup, League Cup and even Leinster Senior Cup there is always a bus running, and I can't really express in words how grateful I am for the service, even if I won't be using it as much this year due to my residence in Dublin
The first trip on the road of the season for Dundalk, and the numbers that we travelled in was very encouraging. Vocally and numbers wise the support the team received was brilliant, with perhaps as many as four hundred fans making the journey. Of course a large proportion of those were from the Dublin area, but knowing the reliability of Dublin bus, or Dublin traffic it probably took just as much time. As for the "home crowd". Well, as everyone knows, the Rovers supporters are all awaiting for a move to Tallaght, that very central location to return to supporting their club. Therefore, fifteen minutes from the city centre, Tolka Park is obviously too awkward a destination to get to. Either that, or their fans believe it is betraying the tradition of their great four in a row side to visit this venue. In short, the Rovers support was awful. In fairness, their usual hardcore support was there and trying to add to the atmosphere. Dundalk fans, despite their high numbers still followed the now popular, but ultimately bizarre process of segregation. Yes, apparently two different groups seperated by a full row of seats creates better atmosphere. Puzzling stuff. Still, it was a passion filled ninety minutes, with ultimately a disappointing result. At the final whistle the travelling fans were still in full voice, not disspirited and the players acknowledged it. If we can keep up this kind of support on the road, then there will be some memorable trips before the end of the season. Let's just hope regular supporters don't look upon the new travelling supporters as some kind of outsiders. We need all the supporters on the road we can get, even if they didn't travel while we were in Division One
Trips to Cork at this weekend of the year are now regular occurances. A rule in the fixture list is obviously that Dundalk must travel to Cork on the weekend marking the start of September. If anyone checks out the facts of this you will see that it actually happens a lot ! This year though, the trip would also coincide with a victory. Leaving at 7:30am with a stop on Durrow along the way for breakfast, the travelling band only arrived in Cork half an hour before kickoff, thus postponing the regular pre match visit to the Horseshoe Pub, a bar which deserves all our respect for banning Shamrock Rovers fans. Cork City FC have devised a cunning way to make people buy stand tickets, as one Dundalk fan learned. Upon buying a terrace ticket, he was refused entry into that part of the ground and was told to go in the stand entrance. When he got there, he was told he needed a stand ticket to enter. Talk about organisation. Still, things got sorted out in end, but again the travelling support went for the divide and conquer segregation tactics, with this time, four different groups all in different parts of the ground. Two groups opted for different ends of the stand, with new covered seating on the far side also hosting two seperate groups of Dundalk fans
Cork did have one thing to their credit, an excellent fanzine named Four Five One, which is worth buying if only to test your intelligence on the crossword
The view from the new covered seating section is interesting from the front row, as you are actually below the pitch. Cork fans have also disappeared, and the much vaunted Shed is indeed disappointing at the moment. A scattering of Cork fans whose highlight of the match was not giving the ball back to John Connolly when the ball went in there. When the fans were timewasting after twenty minutes you could tell Cork obviously weren't optimistic of a good result. The game offered one of those typically eircom League moments when in the second half during an injury delay John Ryan and Ger Robinson chatted with travelling fans. Sadly, Ryan opted not to score from the resulting throw and instead gave the ball back to Cork. Those who remember our last trip to this ground back in 1999 would recall that Cork failed to give the ball back in a similar situation, and went on to score the winning goal. With that in mind, it was fantastic when James Keddy grabbed the winner. After the game David Crawley brought the players over to celebrate with the travelling support which looked closer together when all the Cork fans left. Leading the celebrations was Frank O'Neill, our new coach, who someone recently compared to the fella from the Lucozade Sport ad. Magic moments !
On the way home, we stopped in Fermoy for refreshments. The trip home was marked with several unscheduled stops, one of which overwhelmed the Voice so much that he decided to grab the microphone and announce James Keddy as the goalscorer. Obviously, the excitement was too much, as he was the one shouting for the next stop ! It was good day for those who went, and it was still a reasonably good support, but hopefully for long distance away games such as this we will have better support as the season goes on. Longford in two weeks is a trip that isn't going to take up the whole day, and should hopefully garner a travelling support similar to that of the Rovers game
Definitely a trip that won't be forgotten
It all started so well, with a full bus heading for Longford. When it broke down the minute we left for Dundalk, things were suddenly looking grim. It soon transpired the only bus we could find to bring us to Longford was the one that had just broken down, with all phone calls seeking possible alternatives ending in disappointment. Therefore, two mechanics were tracked down. Again, the attempted solving of the problem didn't get off to a great start when the door to the side compartments of the bus was dropped on his head
However, after forty five minutes of waiting, the attempted repairs was a success and everyone crowded onto the bus. Away we went ........for another ten yards when it gave in again. It was time to go back to Oriel and try to divide and conquer. Minutes later, a courtege of cars were on their way to Longford, trying not to get lost along the way. Of course, those on the bus weren't the only ones to travel and by the time we got to the wonderful Flancare Park venue a large Dundalk crowd that had travelled down earlier in the day had assembled. Spirits were high, or more to the point, consumption of spirits had been high. The facilities at Flancare are top class though, with the toilets curiously leading to a gents section, ladies section, and a VIP section, which consisted of a small child in football boots sitting alone in a big room. He's obviously important
The game got underway, but unfortunately some of the drunken lot decided to racistly abuse Eric Lavine, which disgusted the rest of the Dundalk support. Thankfully, a Longford official of some sort stood in and stamped it out. It still left a bad taste in the mouth though, and with more coloured players bound to visit Oriel Park in the coming days then let's hope someone at Dundalk ensures it isn't allowed happen. Dundalk fans don't need to be tarnished with that brush. Aside from that, the large travelling support got behind the team well and a good atmosphere was building up
At half time, a Longford photographer decided to give the visiting fans a two fingered salute as he went to photograph the home fans. If that was intended to raise tension then it certainly served its course. It is hard to imagine Mick Slevin doing something similar, although it would be incredibly funny
The second half was dominated by action on the pitch until Longford scored their lead goal. After that tempers flared as some Longford fans sitting in the middle of the Dundalk support decided to stir things up a bit with their celebrations. Segregation earlier probably would have helped, but as some Dundalk fans got a bit carried away the stewards got stuck in as things turned nasty. Scuffles with some of the "spirited" visiting fans followed shortly after, as a "let's see who can make the best hand gestures" competition with the Longford fans had not increased friendly relations between the two. Minutes earlier chants of "you're supposed to be like Bohs" was as bad as it got, but the goal brought out a different side
With one section of Dundalk fans surrounded by stewards, and the majority disgusted with the performance on the pitch the surprise equaliser was met with shock more than jubilation. Still, it was better than a loss which really would have hurt. Despite all that happened during the match, the minute the whistle went all fans left quietly. It was a shame things turned out as they did, and let's hope it doesn't lead to Dundalk fans being isolated out as a bad lot. The stuff in the second half was just chanting between rival sets of fans, which wasn't helped by the stewards going into one section rather than standing between the two
It's the racist chanting that is the real problem, and its up to all Dundalk fans to stamp out a problem that exists within the Lilywhites support
Bugger
Enough about the game, a trip to Bray is always interesting in its own right. Bray is perhaps the most unfortunate place in the world. Frankly, I fear for the future of this town if the local children are anything to go by. Most live on a staple diet of chips and spend their lives in the amusements across the road from the ground. The accent is another feature, with a common shout being "come on wandawasss". And they are cheeky little feckers as well. Yes, I hate Bray. Although some of the Dundalk crowd did excel themselves with the "you're supposed to be in bed chant"
Another funny moment was when Bray striker Jason Byrne went down after being struck on the back of the head. After hobbling to his feet, someone shouted "you got a whack on the head, and yer limping". A fair point ! With one of the fat Bray kids trying to climb into the next row of seats with considerable difficulty also providing some comedy then it would have to be said this trip did provide a fair few laughs despite the result
God, I hate Monaghan. Doesn't every Dundalk fan ? It's easy to see why Kavanagh hated the place. The last few times Dundalk have travelled here, we've been screwed over by a dodgy ref, and it always pisses rain on the way home. Lovely place
Bad blood was definitely in the air beforehand [talk about mixing up cliches], with the Dundalk team reportedly getting changed in Oriel Park and having their teamtalk there before leaving for Monaghan. Why, you may ask ? Well, apparently the last time Dundalk travelled to Monaghan [the day the directors weren't allowed in], the hosts decided to throw buckets of water around the poky visiting dressing room before the game. I don't think keeping them clean was the purpose of that particular action. What a club
Still, the travelling fans were in good noise, and indeed, they had somehow managed to secure a drum. The highlight of the first half was the noise from the travelling support, with "we have got a drummer", and "can you see a thing from Monaghan" the musical highlights. The eagle eyed travelling support also noticed the cameraman on the far side of the ground, who looked to have travelled in a van strikingly similar to one from an early Back To The Future film. The well named Dick O'Hanlon, was in the mood to stamp his authority on proceedings. "Less of the shouting", he told Dundalk defender Stephen McGuinness ten minutes into the match. Shouting is obviously frowned upon in these parts, not that the locals are used to much noise
At half time, the planned boycott of the Monaghan bar and shops didn't seem to be taking place, with several venturing past the imaginry picket lines in search of solace. In fairness, anything to take your mind off the dreadful first half was required. The details of the game can be found elsewhere, but after the final whistle it was time for the usual post match row. A common event when Monaghan play Dundalk, with the action focused on the area where the players enter the dressing rooms. This time, it was Martin Murray and the Monaghan physio who were having a bit of a barney, with the stewards and even the police looking willing to step in. Angry Dundalk fans had a few words to say to O'Hanlon, while the locals looked on with bemusement. Shouting again, I presume
Time to venture out into the rain for the journey home. Some things never change. At least we got a drum though
Well, to be honest, it would be a lie of me to try and claim this game as another version of "Oriel Web On Tour". I go to college in UCD, and spent most of the day there, so I can hardly consider this "on tour". In fact, this feature would probably be better if I dealt with my trips to home games which have been a lot more eventful. They led me to arrive late for the Bohs match by around fifteen minutes, and travelling home with angry Pats supporters after THAT night in Oriel
Won't bore you with the details of this "trip" though. The game was terrible, so decided to drown sorrows afterwards. Ended up debating why Laois was the nothing county of Ireland. Decided not to get the 46a bus home. Same old same old
I'm starting to think bringing back Oriel Web on tour was a bad idea. The last time I did it, we were relegated and we did shag all on the road that season. Well, this is away game number seven, and on the road, Dundalk have won four points from a possible twenty one. Five losses on the road already, and it's only October. Marvellous. Again, the trip personally wasn't very exciting for me. I left my apartment, walked around the corner and got the 16A bus to Tolka. It took approximately twenty minutes. Fascinating stuff
As for the game, well what a disappointment. A spread out, numerically and vocally disappointing Dundalk support coming up against Shels with their usual disappointing home crowds. Ten minutes in, Shels a goal in front. Dundalk huff and puff, little bit of singing. Shels score a second. Bloody shambles
Second half follows same pattern. Dundalk miss chances, Shels score a third, then a fourth. Dundalk fans file out fifteen minutes from time. Others sit staring into space, one ventures into song to lift spirits. General disenchantment with everything going on down on the pitch. I decide to go down to the tunnel and ask Martin Murray politely what kind of excuse for a performance that was. Sadly, technology of sorts stopped that, as Shels' have a movable tunnel that comes out a long way onto the pitch. Feck that anyway. Decide to hang around after the final whistle for no particular reason apart from moaning to anyone who walks past. Stare down the tunnel and see the local hacks standing like statues with bemused looks on their faces. The lights go out, how fitting
Bit of a marathon trip to do in one day, but feck it, it's all for a good cause. Travelled from Dublin with Mark McGuinness and managed to avoid all of the Friday afternoon traffic, an amazing feat, especially coming through Enfield or "that feckin bollox of a town" as it is otherwise known to frequent travellers.
In Galway plenty of time before kickoff, unlike the Travel Club regulars who apparently ended up somewhere the other side of Galway. In fact finding Terryland was a bit of task for most Dundalk fans who travelled, with only seven in the ground as the team came onto the pitch. Thankfully, the bus arrived, as did several more carloads and in the end we had a good turnout. However, we again divided into four senseless groups, thus giving the feel we had feck all support there. As always
Nice win though ! Travelled home on the bus to Louth, stopping off along the way in Loughrea. Spirits are high, with the League table being closely examined. Unfortunately, the video on the bus was playing "folks songs of ireland" or something similar at full blast, a live recorded TV show from the eighties which only went to emphasise how bad fashion was back then, as the studio audience shots showed. Loads of songs that all started with the singer saying "here's a little ditty now for ya, that I first sang back in ...". Invariably, the inspiration for the song was the famine, or some bloke he met in a pub. Call me cynical. It went on for a mammoth two hours, which felt like years, with the close of the show bringing an audible sigh of relief from everyone on the bus .....well, in fact it was just me as most others had fallen asleep during the show, lucky buggers
Came home, updated site and went to bed at 4am. Dedication ? Nah, just insomnia. Hard to get to sleep with campfire songs reverberating around your head
Again, it's bit pointless me calling this Oriel Web on tour. In truth, I got the 19A bus from outside my apartment. Fascinating stuff eh ? Boy was I tired when I got to Dalymount some twenty minutes later. A Bohs fan got on the bus in O'Connell St so I stared him out of it for the rest of the journey
Got to the ground, and realised the Travel Club had again been held up, arriving just before kickoff. This led to, guess what, the Dundalk fans being spread all over the place. Two large groups on this occasion, with several smaller gatherings. Bring me back to the first away game of the season against Rovers please, we got the support right that night ! It's a bloody shambles since, and it does piss me off. It meant very little audible noise from the sizeable travelling support, with no sign of a drummer either
As for the game, well a nice result it has to be said. Poor old Bohs fans got a bit heated after they scored and decided to have a bit of a ruck amongst their own. I wondered if racist Dundalk fans would be blamed for the scuffle. In this case, no
Plenty of familiar faces in the bar in Dalymount after, some being slightly different to when I last saw them. National League journos were meeting over a few pints, with Bohs fans Fitzmaurice [Evening Shite], and O'Riordan [The Sun] in discussion, with the latter after completing a completely one sided match report. Got a lift home from the Voiceover and his new look friend, and decided not to carry on wherever their mad journey was going to take them
By the way, Dalymount looks terrific. A level for every club to aspire to
Our first ever away trip to play the new St Pats/St Francis combination, in a ground similar to that of the former entity, St Patricks Athletic. Well, maybe just to wind up the Pats fans you can say that. In all seriousness, it was like travelling to a different ground as the visit to the Camac Side did not result in going home with seven layers of shite attached to your shoes. Instead, the Camac has been transformed into a tidy standing terrace which is a dramatic improvement, yet such a simple change
However some things will never change. Despite the addition of St Francis to their name, St Pats benefit more than any from dubious refereeing decisions, especially when it comes to games against Dundalk. One can only think of the disallowed free kick from David Crawley three years ago in Oriel that ultimately won Pats the League, or the sending off of Stephen McGuinness in Oriel this year. This topped the lot however, as the match report will testify. No need to go into that here, as that is not the purpose of this segment. This is to talk about the supporters aspect of the game, the crowd etc etc
Many Dundalk fans were glad not to go to Inchicore last night, with one harshly describing it as "the most miserable place on Earth". Still, we had a decent contingent with the majority of them managing to stay in the same area [truly remarkable]. On the site this week, one Pats fan wondered if any of our "beer drinking racist bastards" would be coming to the match. Disappointingly for the Pats fans, that was not to be the case. They had to make do with fans who only wanted to support their team and not cause any trouble. Still, it didn't stop a couple of Pats fans from looking for trouble and hurling abuse at us by calling us a pack of racist bastards
In my opinion, this section of Pats fans were absolutely gutted there was no racist abuse coming from the Dundalk fans. All week they had giddily been talking about how it was time for revenge for the last time or something, so they obviously expected a bit of aggro. When faced with fans who admire the skills of Livingstone, and are not racist in any way, they were obviously disappointed. But, one guy who'd obviously been practising all week was prepared to use the full range of his vocabulary to vent his feeling. "come on ye pack of racist bastards" he said, before repeating with the occasional, "Donal Broughan is a wanker" thrown in as well. I'm not one for stereotyping but that guy could represent Ireland at scangerness, if only it would ever be recognised as an offical Olympic sport.
Pats and Dundalk have always had good relations, until this year. Yes, what happened at Oriel was unsavoury and embarrassing but I think any wish to take the rivalry further is only coming from the Pats side. I am sorry for what happened at Oriel, it must have been a difficult experience for the decent Pats fans but I'm sick of having to apologise for it. One Pats fan who I met on Monday last, upon hearing I was a Dundalk fan, proceeded to tell me what happened in Oriel that night was disgraceful and that his young son was hit by a can. That was terrible, but we shouldn't have to answer for those who caused the hassle on that night. Just as the Pats fans should not have to answer for their "fans" who regularly cause trouble outside the ground after home matches
The Pats fans who were causing the hassle last night, are, from what I hear the same group of Pats fans who call for the managers head every week, and generally complain at anyone. This breed of Pats fans, getting carried away with the success of 90's are the kind that would get into a fight with themselves if there was no one else in the room. With Pats/Francis getting all the luck there was no referee to abuse, with Pats winning it was hard to shout abuse at Dolan, so I suppose they needed something to vent their neurotic rage at. However, I feel on behalf of Dundalk fans I have to apologise to these Pats fans for ruining their evening
I AM SORRY WE DID NOT RACIALLY ABUSE ANY OF YOUR PLAYERS
I AM SORRY WE DID NOT DRINK CANS ON YOUR TERRACES
I AM SORRY WE FAILED TO LEAVE ANY FLAGS NEARBY SO YOU COULD BURN THEM
I AM SORRY WE DID NOT BEAT UP LITTLE CHILDREN
I am truly sorry, because I feel as though we completely failed to live up to your expectations. You may have had all the luck, but I think we should apologise to Pats fans. Sorry again, very sorry
Terryland Park is cold, very cold. No wonder the Galway fans I know want Summer soccer. One Dundalk fan commented during the game that Donal Broughan was so cool he could piss out an ice cube. Well, in that weather, even the most nervous may have succeeded in doing so.
I was worried that since the Travel Club wasn't able to run a bus, that the Dundalk support might have been reduced to an embarrassingly low number. Thankfully, some of our fans managed to make it onto the team bus for the journey down, and others made it by alternate transport thus giving the team a bit of support. Apparently, the team bus showed Lock Stock and Two Shooting Barrels on the way down. Not that Gary Haylock was watching, he was watching something on his DVD. Oh the joys of playing professionally for Dundalk FC.
As usual, the Dundalk support managed to skilfully divide itself into three reasonably even groups at different parts of the ground. All were bloody cold though. And the chip van wasn't even serving chips. Typical. Galway's attempts to get a good crowd for the game had flopped miserably, although it's easy to see why after reading their Supporters trust newsletter. They were encouraging their fans to go forth and multiply, hardly suitable considering the vast majority of their fans are underage. Still, I positioned myself close to the Galway bench where I got to see the full wonder of the supposed motivational genius of Tony Mannion. Early in the game, he stood up and shouted "Come on", ten times in succession. Then, he told a Galway player to "go for the throat". Inspirational stuff. Would have brought a tear to my eyes, only the cold prevented such liquid from existing
Being close to the game you get to hear some great things. For example, I now know why Stuart Connolly didn't say much at the press conference announcing his signing. He has a horrific Dublin accent. Three Touch was also annoyed with the quality of ball he was getting, "fuckin 'ell, you can't arf put the ball out there, put it to my feet lad". Well, he may have said that. Or I might have made it up.
Half time was brightened up by a phone call from James Murtha ! Appreciated James ! Sadly, he sounded a whole lot warmer where he was. Still, knowing James as I do he wanted to be in Terryland Park at that time. And despite how some of us moaned last night, all the Dundalk fans that were there wanted to be there as well. Why else would we have given up our day ?
Still, this week is a test of stamina. As I write this [Wednesday 9:40pm], I am only back from Galway a few hours, and yet, I'll be on my way again tomorrow at 3:00 to go to Derry. As will most, if not all, of the Dundalk fans who were in Galway last night. It might be warmer in Derry. Then again, it might not. And not even a DVD player to watch on the bus. Life goes on
Two days after the win in Galway, several of the travellers on that occasion ventured out again for another long trip, this time up North to Derry. Still, it was a pretty disappointing turnout of travelling fans for the last game before Christmas, not helped by the disintegration of support when we reached the Brandywell
The trip on the bus mainly consisted of bad jokes and speculation over the outcome of further games. The consensus being, no one really knows how we're going to do, but we might do well, possibly. It's as easy as that to predict Dundalk outcomes
Anyway, the trip to Derry was fun, if only for the fact my phone changed from Digifone, to one2one, to BTCellnet and also vodafone which was fun if only for the variety. Sadly, it meant I was unreachable to those caught unawares by the change in codes and all of that. Apologies to those who told me as much when I got back to Digifone zone on the trip home !
With the bus driver going surprisingly slow, we arrived at the Everglades hotel around 6:30 pm. With the FAI Cup draw going on about this time, rumours were floating around with the club chairman on hand to tell us we had drawn Shels at home. Then started a discussion about the logistics of such a tie, and how it's a pain that we always get them. However, he was spoofing and instead the draw dealt us a meeting with another old foe, Kilkenny City Football and Cowboy Club. That will be the next trip for Oriel Web on tour on 13th January
Putting that aside, the outrageously expensive Everglades had an ingenious policy on show where you get your food at the bar but don't actually pay until you reach reception on the way out. Call me cynical, but such a policy invites disaster, especially when you're not exactly flushed with money. Say no more
Anyways onto the game and we arrived in plenty of time for kickoff. Sadly, the Dundalk contingent got split up by the whole having to buy a ticket first policy and ended up losing each other completely which meant the team came out to little or no reception. In fact, finding a Dundalk fan was a test of patience at times ! Derry's support from their Shed was terrific, and really puts every other club to shame. Someday, perhaps, Dundalk will be able to organise that kind of support. Unlikely though when we can't even manage to merge our away support into one group, something every other club can manage, even UCD [although there only are four].
As for the game, well the result was satisfactory after a good second half display. Time for a few more wins though. Still, the Derry fans are a decent lot and one stopped me on the way out to tell me that Haylock wasn't bad. High praise indeed from a Derry fan !
Let's hope there's plenty more of good trips ahead in 2002
Is it really that long since our last away match ?
It's a long time since our last away Cup match. That was, of course, against Portmarnock last year and that wasn't even a proper away Cup tie. Some us made it out that day, but to mention that game in these moments of happiness would be insensitive to those still traumatised by the affair
Kilkenny, you see, well, this is personal. I'm sure you all know the story by now, but this is a game we just had to win. Cup trips with Dundalk are always fun, good numbers always travel. Many came for the weekend to Kilkenny with stories of renditions of Come On You Lilywhites at 4am on the main street last night surfacing on more than one occasion
For the game itself, Dundalk fans decided to gather behind one of the goals which was an inspired decision for which a certain fan who was pictured looking glum that day against Portmarnock [last time, I promise !] should take some credit for. In hindsight, we could have started a fire behind the goals, started sacrificing children and started taking our own lives and yet RTE would not have noticed. All the action happened to focus on the other goal, with the net result that TV viewers received a negative image of our support on the day
Those there know the story though. A great atmosphere, especially in the second half with plenty of drumming and plenty of singing to clear the heads after the night before. "Shit ground, no shed" was one song which deserves particular mention.
Of course, all television viewers got was a picture of one small group of Dundalk fans at the end.One was picking his nose with one hand and holding a can in the other. Maybe the chant of "Are you watching RTE" didn't go down too well after all.
It's a bizarre place is Buckley Park. You've got a small stand on one side, which is quite sensible. Behind the goal a magnificent new stand which looks fantastic. Then on the other side you've got random dugouts and no barrier between fans and the pitch, and then behind the other goal, where we congregated, a muddy grass bank, the type they jump at Punchestown.
It really is the good and the bad of the eircom League in one ground. 21st century at one end of the ground, pre Norman times at the other.
The pitch itself is really gone to the dogs. There used to be a sign beside the pitch saying, "please remove shoes before coming onto the pitch". Doing so now would probably result in drowning. As one Dundalk fan commented, "the players took off their slippers at half time and put on their football boots". It was true. Before half time the Dundalk players did their best to get on Question Of Sport, as well as Sunday Sport
Great celebrations at the end though. The Cup has a habit for bringing the crowds out, and the Quarter final should be a good occasion no matter who we play. Now it's off to Rovers on Friday ; more of the same crowd organisation please !
Ah yes, our second trip to Shamrock Rovers this year, and this time to a different ground. Last time we played them it was at Tolka Park, home of Shels. This time it was Richmond Park, home of St Pats. However, after this game Rovers are moving back to Tolka. Confusing eh ?
Well not really. This is after all the club whose manager insisted the game be played on Friday and not Sunday as they didn't like seeing the empty seats. This from a manager who is a strong advocate of summer soccer. And judging by their home attendance on this occasion, there'll be plenty of empty seats in Tolka in the remaining games no matter how many floodlights are on.
At the price of 10 euro into the ground, Rovers are obviously looking for all the money they can get. Sadly, the infamous collection bucket was missing on this occasion with the extra money obviously being made through the gate.
Still, on a night when Pats took 4,000 across town to a League match, it's a shame that Rovers, despite their constant relocation can barely get 1,000 of their own out when they are in the top four in the League. The taxi drivers of Dublin were obviously busy on Friday night, seeing as every single one claimed to be a Rovers man when they were in Milltown but hadn't gone since cos it didn't feel right.
However Rovers compensated for their poor support numberwise by having two large massive big flags. Perhaps it was to suggest to the players, "we're over here" just in case they had forgotten where their support was.
Despite being trounced regularly on visits to Dublin we had a good sized travelling support again, and while the result was again disappointing, it was still nice to hear the visiting fans singing "you're supposed to be at home" at 4-1 down. Chants which soon became, "you're supposed to have a home".
I shouldn't be too harsh on Rovers really, they've had their troubles. When they move to Tallaght they will finally have a home to call their own, even if it is possibly the most horrible place on Earth [although topping Inchicore will be some feat].
As for ourselves, well good numbers and we all congregated together but it was the performance on the pitch which dampened the whole occasion. After this game, even the most optimistic were all but admitting defeat. It's just not meant to be our season.
We may not get to visit Tallaght next season. Oh well, we'll just get Damo to get those big flags to cover the empty seats when Dublin City visit. Just so their players won't get upset, you see ?
TRIP AGAINST CORK - MISSED DUE TO STUPIDITY
We're gonna win the Cup, we're gonna win the Cup. Well, that's what we told the people of Ballybofey after a magic night on the road. Tuesday night, pissing rain, go to Donegal. Only Dundalk fans would understand. I arrived back in Dublin at 00:30, simply unable to explain to roommates what kind of night I had just had. It gets pointless after a while really, you really don't know unless you've been there.
Thanks to Mr McG, had a lift there and back which is damn convenient and very appreciated ! An afternoon trip to Ballybofey via the Letterkenny bypass [some dodgy back road]. Arrive in Finn Park around 7pm and it's raining, a lot. Buy tickets in van, and pop to pub down the road where some Dundalk fans and the hardcore Harps fans had gathered. Regret buying tickets as offered several free tickers from those who had extra, including a Harps fan at his first game since the 70's who had an extra ticket and wanted to give it to a Dundalk fan.
Into the game, and a big crowd in total. Pleased to see such a large travelling support who launched into song from the early minutes. Everyone got a turn at starting a chant at some stage or other, with some going down better than others. The best of the night was "get outta the shed" in an area largely made up of Harps fans. Some of the Ballybofey boys thought we were singing get into louisssseee when the now infamous, "get into them, they're easy chant" was aired. One nil up at half time we had to be satisfied.
Then, out of nowhere our support suddenly was doubled a bunch of Dundalk fans no one had seen or heard in the first half appeared behind the main singing group. Who knows where they had been for the first half, but the strength in numbers was welcomed. The second half was excellent, singing for the whole half and another goal for a 2-0 victory. Mad celebrations, new songs about Lawless and Haylock and many versions of "we're gonna win the Cup" and "bring on the Rovers". After all the media and co creaming themselves at the possibility of a Harps-Rovers semi, or even a North West final it was damn sweet to win and remind all those who had looked forward to such things that the tie is not over, until the replay is ACTUALLY PLAYED.
In fairness to the Harps bunch, they are up there with the best as regards fans. No animosity at all, and many came up to us and wished us luck against Rovers. Travelled home on the motorway route via Derry and Belfast, a diverse end to an enjoyable day. At a shop on the way home, Mr McG picked up a newspaper that on the back had a headline from a Johnathan Speake interview saying, "No time for complacency : tie not over yet". Too right Johnny !
As pointed out in "The Office", Des'ree once said, "life, oh life". Wonderful line that, and an excellent summation of this evenings entertainment. Quite an interesting trip to Longford, one I won't forget for a while and one that really highlights what is truly brilliant about following your team on the road.
A bit of a dash to make it there, leaving from Dublin at 5:40pm with MrMcG again at the wheel. Made it to Longford at 7:48pm, just three minutes late for the game with the old map coming in handy and preventing an even later arrival. In the process of buying ticket when a roar came from the ground.
Immediate reaction, "F*ck, I missed a goal". Considered reaction, "We're 1-0 up ..you f*cking beauty !!". Wander into ground to catch end of celebrations. Walk behind the goal on the way over to the Dundalk fans when I look up to see a decent Dundalk move going on. Ball falls to Haylock and suddenly it's 2-0. Two nil up after five minutes, this is INCREDIBLE !!!
Minutes later, realise the game started at 7:30pm and it was actually twenty minutes in.Immediate reaction, "f*ck, missed twenty mins of the game." Considered reaction, "less time to concede goals, woohoo !".
Three nil at half time, cruising along nicely. Non stop singing from when we entered the ground until the end of the game, obviously missed the bad part. Excellent travelling support, in both the stand and around the open aired seating around the pitch. Seven points from safety, and yet a significant number of fans prepared to travel. Some even had banners, bizarrely saying things such as "Down with that sort of thing" and "Careful Now". Funny at the time, believe me !
Long story short, we won. Sing Cheerio to the Longford fans who walk past, some of whom wait until walking by until making gestures inviting Dundalk fans to come near them. How pleasant !! Needed lift home, not going back to Dublin and ended up in a car with a contributor named MFSLN or something similar and his weak bladdered companions who had already enjoyed a visit to the pubs of Edgeworthstown on the way down, where apparently, "everyone, including the staff was completely pissed"
Celebration was the name of the day, and into Longford we went. Recalling that earlier on they had sang it was the "worst town in Ireland" the other three removed their Dundalk jerseys as they obviously felt they would get the sh*t kicked out of them. I remained proud and wore the colours as we went into the Anvil for a quick drink before the journey home. All going pleasantly until we were approached by a person looking for a light. Alas, no smokers amongst our group, but this didn't stop MFSLN from goading one of the weak bladdered ones for "not giving her a light". The thing was, it wasn't actually a her, it was a long haired him. And he was still standing there at the time as well. After that, MFLSN was quite eager to leave the Anvil despite the surprising hospitality and actual women as well.
The car home beckoned, as alone we travelled through the forgotten roads of Ireland. No other cars travelled our route home, which is quite worrying. Mind you, we did travel home via Drumcree and Kilkenny. [ok, so there's a Drumcree in the Midlands, and the second story was a slip of the tongue when one of the weak bladdered ones told his significant other over the phone that he was in Kilkenny, but it embellishes the story].
Winning does stupid things to people. Who, for example, could have predicted we missed a turn on the way home because the designated driver was too busy singing what Whitney Houstons version of Get Into Them, They're Easy would sound like. "Geettt Intoo themmmmm...theyyy areeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee easyyyy". Disturbing. Whitney, is of course, married to Monaghan United manager Bobby Brown.
Then of course, there was Clonmellon. If anyone reading this is from Clonmellon and was disturbed by a car which drove through their town around 11pm, stopped, and reversed the whole way back through the town it's because we had decided to have another look at something to confirm our eyes were working properly. In the middle of Clonmellon, a large handwritten sign is attached to a telegraph pole. It says, "BO FLOOD SOLD ME THREE OR FOUR NUTHIN BLOCKS, THEY WERE BAD, , SH T". On the other side it is along the same lines with the words, "I PROTEST" thrown in. Amazing stuff. Who is this Bo Flood ? If you have any theories please leave them on Dundalk Talk, because we would be interested to know. And if he sold you bad blocks, then sue the fecker.
The rest of the trip would have been uneventful were it not for the weak bladdered ones incessant desire to relieve themselves. Not satisfied with desocrating Drumcree, they were itching again by the time we got past Carlenstown. Predictable really, but two mins later they were stranded alone beside a hedge with MFLSN driving towards Ardee with myself in the back seat holding the drinks of the weak bladdered ones. This was cruel, so it was time to turn back. Minutes later we did, before deciding to drive right past them again and head in the opposite direction, leaving them regretted taking off their jersies before going into the Anvil. Mind you, in minus temperatures it probably would have been cold anyway so I doubt the fact they were only wearing t-shirts made much of a difference. They spent the rest of the journey defrosting, which actually removed the possibility of another piss stop.
Yes, definitely a memorable day. A dash for the game, impeccable timing, great singing and atmosphere and a comical trip home. I'm sure I had a better night than Bo Flood did anyway.
Bray on a Monday. Doesn't sound great really. Dublin suburb, not very tidy, and loads of dodgy accents. A bit like Drogheda without the baggage, and there's no DART station beside United Park. However, it seemed like home from home on Monday evening with the place swarming with the travelling Dundalk army who pretty much took over the seaside town.
The first half was boring enough, despite the tension and the splinter groups in the fans were appearing. The drummer boy and co had decided to stray as far away as possible from the main body of the Dundalk fans. Plenty of sleepers around as well, amongst the crowd. Not frequent travellers, only stood apart from the crowd with their Dundalk FC hat or scarves and the occasional murmur of support. Me ? Well, I was stuck with the mascot abusing chicken loving crowd.
Yes, for 90 minutes it was a mixture of the bizarre and the even more bizarre. It's amazing what a pint of shandy does to some people. Well, I'll tell you. It makes them abuse a six year old mascot, it makes them call John Whyte "a sexy f*cker" and it makes them construct a song called "David Crawley's Magic Underpants" which many there will wish to erase from their memories forever.
Still, there was unanimous support for the half time penalty competition. Tired of abusing fat kids missing spot kicks, we called for Rocky The Chicken [he was meant to be a Seagull, but we decided it was a chicken] to take a spot kick. This guy has the edge over Lily The Panda in that he even turns up for the lesser games and gives 100%. A true entertainer. Crap at penalties though. His penalty effort was so feeble, the mascot would have saved it.
The game ? Well it livened up in the second half as people actually began to realise how important it was. Everyone was quite politely sitting one to a seat, so much so that when Dundalk scored their first goal the celebrations that followed saw everyone neatly sit down again, three seats away from where they were in the first place.
Into injury time, and we were ready for our post match celebrations when suddenly Bray scored a goal, a controversial one at that. Now, there's nothing we Dundalk fans like more than a good whinge and this was the perfect chance. Blue murder we screamed, let's roar abuse at linesmen, referees, soup sellers ..the lot. The injustice spurred us on, the decibel levels got louder after we conceded one. Suddenly it falls to Keddy. He curls it. Is the net bulging ? Is that a goal ? It's a f**king goal !!!
Like Bray kids chasing after a car, we all had the same idea at once and left our seats to run down the steps to the side of the pitch celebrating before realising climbing the wall would take quite a leap, and besides that, the players were at the other side of the pitch so by the time we got across there the game would have restarted. Some people who are normally quite restrained and unemotive were running around like children going absolutely loopers. If only I had a camera, if only.
Goal scored, it was time to abuse all comers, this time with a smug tone ! Byrne got sent off, so we chanted he was a wanker. The ref wouldn't blow up so we called him the same as well. Injury time was up, and the game went on, and on, and on. Until the whistle blew sparking crazy celebrations. More articulate people were required at the time, as the only words we could find to sum up our delight were "fuckin hell !". That was as descriptive as it got, but it told the whole story. Not a thought for Rocky, not a thought for the fat penalty takers and not even a thought for the eight year old Bray fan with strange hair who we possibly traumatised for life by pointing out his most noticable defficiency.
This is what it's all about. When you're at the bottom, the wins are so much sweeter. We travelled in numbers and enjoyed a win that will live long in the memory. The Cup Final will have to go some way to beat this.
We travelled in fear, in hope and not with optimism. But yet, we travelled in large numbers, the kind of crowd Monaghan officials dream they would have every week. Well over 1,000 Lilywhites, probably a lot more as they packed into the small Monaghan stand, bar and surroundings for a day that more than likely, was always going to end in tears.
Why did we do it ? Wasn't this making the pain worse ? Possibly, but maybe we all, in the optimistic part of ourselves we never really explore possibly thought we might pull it off. Not that anyone I talked to before the game was convinced we would. The sight of Haylock and Keddy sitting in the bar munching crisps greeted many early arrivals, and that in itself was a bad omen. Never mind Pats winning in Longford, we thought, we'd better beat Monaghan first. The vocal support started before kickoff, and when the game tipped off there was a considerable cheer. Twenty seconds later, we were in front. Already, what happened in Longford was paramount in our minds. Our game was already looking a bit of a foregone conclusion. Why did we worry ? Haylock, Keddy and Stuart Connolly sat together and answered questions about their fitness. The singing section noticed their presence and sang a song or two about them. Smiles all around. Maybe Pats would do it after all.
Half time and conflicting reports from Flancare. "Longford were all over them"..."Pats missed a sitter"..."Pats don't give a shit"...."Longford's keeper kept them in it". Most, if not all from the voices in my head but other people were also hearing the same things. The Monaghan PA man told us it was 1-0 to Dundalk in Century Homes Park. Really ? Amazing.
Back to our vantage points for the second half. Finally, we get a second. Stevo runs to the crowd and celebrates his first goal for the club. Spirits are high. Then, the man behind me tells me Longford have scored. Down to earth with a bang, a sickener. Then, cheers ring out elsewhere. Suddenly all the Dundalk fans are cheering. Pats have scored ! Pats have scored ! We tell the man behind he's made a mistake. "You're wrong, Pats scored, Pats scored".
Possibly the Mons fans and their dogs started cheering and barking when Pats scored and it was mistaken for Dundalk cheers, it's my only logistical explanation. It was worse than just hearing it outright. The game on the pitch was dead now. Dundalk were comfortable, but they'd heard the score. They were gutted, everyone was gutted. We sang "we'll support you evermore" but inside we were crushed. Heads in hands, vacant glances into space, fans, officials, and the players who could do nothing about it, Haylock, Keddy et al. All visibly destroyed. It was over, that was that. A shit way to end.
We scored a third on 78 minutes, a comically bad goal, the kind you'd expect in Division One - the Division where we are headed along with sides like Monaghan. Muted celebrations, almost too embarassed to celebrate. Couldn't bring myself to cheer, what pleasure could possibly be taken from it ? Then, amongst the Shed travelling section where someone had a pocket TV, ripples of celebrations turned into louder and prolonged ones. Pats had equalised. Everyone was lifted. The players must have been lost, but feck this I thought, let's go to the bar and watch the end of the TV game. Many had the same idea, including the injured players and hundreds of fans.
So after a surreal season, it ended for us in the bar in Monaghan. For ten minutes we all hoped Pats would score, but it never really looked likely. Every stray Pats pass was met with, "Dublin bastards, not trying" while every good move was applauded with encouragement, "come on Pats, come on Oso ...well done Mannion". Then, that self same Mannion went on a weaving run, past three, four and then a shot. " Must be in ..must be in ..the post..the f*cking post". The roar when it almost went in reverberated out the room, out onto the sideline where people confused it for a Pats goal and apparently started cheering again. Don't think it lasted for as long this time. Time ticked on, and the TV said there was three minutes left. The ref in Flancare blew up after two and a half, according to the RTE clock and that didn't go down well either. We needed someone to blame after all. In the end, we turned and filed out the door. It never occurred to me that our game would have been over, and the players would have gone to the dressing rooms but when we went back out they had done just that. They had received a good reception, but a fair chunk of us had missed it and that felt wrong as well. We wanted to say thank you for today, although it would have been tamed somewhat by the knowledge that this team should never, ever have gone down.
Where to look now ? All around Dundalk heads stood around, some looking gutted, some trying to somehow encourage themselves. Silence reigned though. We could find little to say, because we've been here before, and there's not much you really can say in those situations. Orderly, everyone filed back onto the buses, or into their cars and made their way home as typically, the rain started, as it always seems to do on the way home from another depressing day in Monaghan. That just happens every f*cking time.
It's been a rollercoaster of a season on the road with Dundalk FC. The main attraction was that we were "back in the big time" as we put it, but it ends with us departing stage left. Along the way, we've gathered numbers on the road, a drum, a younger more enthusiastic bunch of travelling fans and a bit more atmosphere. It seems cruel that just as that was growing, we are cruelly sent back to Division One. Let's just hope these people travel next year, and make Division One a little more bearable. It's worth remembering that unlike the likes of Drogheda, who only organised a bus to their last few away games when they were top of the League, Dundalk fans were there from the start in both season in Division One, and were represented at every single away match regardless of time or day. All we can do is ensure that is repeated next season, only with greater depth in numbers.
It's a heartbreaking day, a gut wrenching today but sad as it is, it should not cause a hangover that runs into the start of next season. It was a day that ultimately ended in failure, but it was also a day when we travelled in numbers and created a great atmosphere, all for the love of our club.
Remember, many of the so called "big" clubs are revelling in our relegation, and that is a compliment in itself to this fine club. Don't worry, we'll be back. They haven't seen the last of Dundalk FC, not by a long shot. Oriel Web will be back on tour next year, and I hope many of you will be as well.