Tag Archives: football

Winterthur

Winterthur, Swiss football away days 12

Back in Switzerland for a week or two, I decided to take the opportunity to do another Swiss football groundhop for my blog. I managed to get a game in the city of Winterthur to see the local team play against FC Vaduz. I also planned to get a hike in the morning, climbing the Canton of Zurich’s highest peak Schnebelhorn, to continue with my Swiss Canton Peak challenge. Football and a hike, two birds with one stone!

WinterthurWinterthur is a German speaking city in the Canton of Zürich in northern Switzerland. With over 110,000 residents it is the country’s sixth-largest city by population.

Getting to Winterthur is no problem, as it is one of the busiest stations on the Swiss Railway Network with 105,000 passengers a day. As the town is close to Zürich, it is served by many trains on the local Zürich S-Bahn network. 

To be honest the city is not really the most happening place in the world, not much to see as a tourist, and no real attractions that draw people in. 

Switzerland Canton High Points

WinterthurZurich: Schnebelhorn, 1,292 metres, 4,239 feet
Number 9 on my Swiss canton peaks list, the canton of Zurich. 
Started at 9.am in the small village of Steg, then straight upto Schnebelhorn, not a hard hike to the top, but was very misty and cold, and when at peak didn’t hang around too long as it was very windy and could see nothing.
Coming down the weather got better, and by the time I arrived in Winterthur for the football it was a lovely day.

The Schnebelhorn is a mountain located near Fischenthal in the Töss Valley, between the cantons of Zurich (west) and St. Gallen (east). It is the highest summit of the canton of Zurich.

Various trails lead to the summit from all sides. Most of the massif is covered by forests.

Pub watch 

The Scotsman

Winterthur

Address: General-Guisan-Strasse 19, 8400 Winterthur

www.thescotsman.ch/

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Dropped in by accident…..was actually on my way to an Irish bar, and my eyes were distracted by the harp of Guinness on display on the outside of this establishment………

A Scottish bar, interesting, has Guinness, but more importantly it had Smithwicks on tap………respect right there.

WinterthurOnce I got settled in, and after my pint of Smithwicks (was just ok!), ordered some food………..cheesy chips (the healthy option) , and a pint of Brew Dog Punk IPA, one of my favorites, poured lovely and cold………….with my dinner, it went down very well.

Since I was in a Scottish bar, I decided I might as well finally try their infamous Irn-Bru, “Scotland’s other national drink”, some sort of fizzy pop. It was , well interesting, full of sugar for sure……..not one I’d drink regularly I’d have to say.

Since I was in a hurry I had to go, but enjoyed my short time here…….food was good, drinks fine, bar man, with the obligatory kilt, was very friendly….

Good bar……..respect to my Celtic cousins….

Molly Malone Irish Pub Winterthur

Winterthur

Address: Oberer Deutweg 4, 8400 Winterthur

www.mollymalone.ch/

Bit out of the town, and the outside doesn’t look much but inside its not too bad, decent decor and plenty of space to sit down.

Was quiet for the time I was there, mid day Saturday, a few knocking around. Sat at bar, and the first positive was the beer menu…..it was massive and had a very, very good selection of beers on tap and in bottle. Top beers from Ireland, the UK, Belgium, Germany and local beers from Switzerland, and good ciders too…..excellent selection of beers.

WinterthurOrdered a Guinness, as you do, and a cheese burger for something to eat. Served with a smile, and the food came quick enough. Food served quick is always a bad sign, and to be honest the burger wasn’t the best, looked good but was a bit soggy and wasn’t as filling as it should have been. The Guinness was not the best too, but I’m not going to take marks off for that…..outside of Dublin its generally hit and miss….. I also ordered a Spitfire ale and it was fine.

The bar man was friendly, and I liked the effort made to turn this into a real bar…..I hope it works out for them……as that beer menu is top quality. Would love to return and sample more of their beers, especially the Gose beers, ha.

Paddy O’Brien’s Old Irish Pub

Winterthur

Address: Merkurstrasse 25, 8400 Winterthur

www.paddyobriens.ch/

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Only here for a quick pit stop, great to see they had Newcastle Brown Ale on tap, lovely….

WinterthurStaff working hard, especially one Irish man who I assumed was the bar owner, but later found out he was just part of the staff, but boy was it impressive to see him work the tables, pull the pints, and generally work his ass off…..all with a smile and some good Swiss German to boot. Workers like that are diamonds…….

Loved the Dubliners album on the wall, what a great touch……..

Must return next time I am in town………

FC Winterthur

Winterthur

Arena/Stadium: Stadion Schützenwiese

Location: Winterthur, Switzerland

Capacity: 8,550

Manager: Bruno Berner

Founded: 1896

League: Swiss Super League

Club home page 

Honours:

Swiss Super League: Winners (3): 1905-06, 1907-08, 1916-17

Challenge League (2nd div title): Winners (4): 1965-66, 1967-68, 1981-82, 2021-22

info@fcwinterthur.ch

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FC Winterthur is the main local football team. They play in the Swiss Super League, the first tier of Swiss football, and appeared regularly in the Nationalliga A during the 20th century. Their home is the Stadion Schützenwiese.

WinterthurThe club was founded in 1896 by students of the local school of engineering and following a fusion with two local teams, it was called Vereinigte Fussballclubs Winterthur between 1929 and 1946. They enjoyed their best success in the early part of the 20th century winning the Swiss Championship three times (in 1906, 1908 and 1917), before consecutive relegations in 1931 and 1934. They played in the lower leagues until regaining promotion to the Nationalliga B in 1950. They have since stayed in the second division for most of their history.

They famously lost to West Auckland F.C., an English amateur team in what is thought to be the first international football club competition, the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy. The club have also reached the final of the Swiss Cup in 1968 and 1975, losing both games.

In the 2021-22 season, Winterthur were able to achieve a last round championship victory in the Swiss Challenge League, to gain their first promotion to the Swiss Super League, their first time at the top table of Swiss football since 1982. Following their promotion, coach Alex Frei, who led the team during this successful season, departed the team to join FC Basel.  He was replaced by Bruno Berner.

WinterthurThe club play at Stadion Schützenwiese, a short walk from the centre of Winterthur, since 1896. In the 1980s the ownership was transferred to Winterthur council as the club faced financial problems. The council are responsible for any maintenance and upkeep of the ground.  While once boasting a capacity of 14,987 before 2009, the stadium now holds 8,550 seats, 1,900 of which are seated. The more hardcore supporters of the club stand at one end, which is known as the Bierkurve. Away supporters are housed at the opposite end of the stadium to the Bierkurve.

To the game

FC Winterthur  4 – 2 FC Vaduz

16.04.2022  • Stadion Schützenwiese, Winterthur

• M. Di Giusto  (16′) FC Vaduz

• S. Ltaief   Rrudhani (29′) FC Win

• M. Sutter (54′) FC Vaduz

• G. Lekaj (57′) FC Win

• R. Buess  (66′) FC Win

• S. Ballet  (92′)  FC Win  

Attendance: 8,200

The atmosphere was electric with the home support sensing that another victory today would edge the team closer to promotion and back in the big league for the first time in years

Pre-match and in the sun, the crowd were buzzing, it was a great feeling. Ground was packed, and everyone in a good mood.
Long queues for beer and food so ventured in the art gallery, yes what modern football ground doesn’t have an art gallery, had some wine and gawked at some art! Bit silly to be honest.

WinterthurFinally managed to get some beers and took my place in the main stand, at the back……………..good views of ground, but I have to be honest, with all the supporters packed in, it was way overfull, and with supporters spilling onto the walk ways and exits it was potentially very dangerous as everyone was on top of each other on a steep stand…….
To be honest I hope they have this sorted for next season when they play teams with bigger travelling support. Very dangerous IMHO. Never-mind the pretentious art bollix, get your safety checked first! tsk.

WinterthurAt half time, made my way to the area behind the goals where all the ultra fans hung out……….again packed, but not as steep or hazardous, and more fun as the songs were going and atmosphere a plenty.

Home team won 4-2, in a very entertaining game. Good game, good atmosphere, but too many queues and issues with crowd safety………………

Overall

Enjoyed the day, nice hike in the morning and lovely few hours spent in the pubs of Winterthur. Oh yeah, the football game was fun too!

WinterthurHere is the video of my hike and visit to FC Winterhur 

 

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Schaffhausen

Schaffhausen, Swiss football away days 11

SchaffhausenWith Covid reeking havoc on my football schedule in the year 2021, I could only get to do one Swiss football groundhop for my blog. I managed to get a game in the scenic town of Schaffhausen to see the local team play against FC Aarau.

Schaffhausen, a German speaking town of about 36,000 inhabitants, is in Northern Switzerland and capital of the canton of the same name. It is located on the banks of the Rhine and not far from the popular tourist destination Neuhausen am Rheinfall, where one can see the amazing Rhine falls, Europe’s largest waterfall.

The town is first mentioned in 1045 as Villa Scafhusun, so it is a town with a long history. The old portion of the Schaffhausen has many fine Renaissance and Mediaeval era buildings decorated with exterior frescos and sculpture, as well as the old canton fortress, the imposing Munot. It is a nice enough town to walk around, and for the day that was in it, a lazy Saturday afternoon, it was very quiet with not a whole lot going on. 

SchaffhausenThe name of the town derives from Scafhusun which comes from Schaf (a sheep), as a ram (now a sheep) formed the ancient arms (traceable to 1049) of the town, derived from those of its founders, the Counts of Nellenburg. Todays coat of arms for the town still has a representation of a ram and a castle. 

The town was heavily damaged during the Thirty Years’ War by the passage of Swedish (Protestant) and Bavarian (Roman Catholic) troops and the very important bridge was burnt down. It was not until the early 19th century that the arrested industrial development of the town made a fresh start. On 1 April 1944 Schaffhausen suffered a bombing raid by United States Army Air Forces aircraft which strayed from German airspace into neutral Switzerland due to navigation errors. Air raid sirens had often sounded in the past, without an actual attack, so many residents ignored the sirens that day. A total of 40 civilians were killed in the raid. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt sent a personal letter of apology to the mayor of Schaffhausen and the United States quickly offered four million US dollars in reparations.

Getting to Schaffhausen can be a little complicated, as it is served by two railway stations, jointly owned by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and Deutsche Bahn (DB), and is served by trains of both nation’s networks. The station is served by long distance passenger trains running between Frankfurt and Zurich and between Basel and Ulm. The Herblingen railway station is called at by local trains linking Schaffhausen station and Singen. It can be a bit confusing at times, as getting the German train means cheaper tickets, but a slightly longer trip, and one can sometimes get caught out by sitting on the wrong train with the wrong ticket!

SchaffhausenI have on many occasions ventured from Schaffhausen to the Rhine Falls in Neuhausen am Rheinfall, and why not. It really is the only reason people visit Schaffhausen, lets be honest. You can get a direct link there via train, or by bus from the town. You can actually hop on a self driving bus to the falls, if you dare! 
A favourite of tourists for centuries, even the great Mary Shelley and J. M. W. Turner made a trip here to marvel at the wonder of the falls. The Rhine Falls is a waterfall and the largest of its kind in Europe. The falls are located on the High Rhine on the border between the cantons of Schaffhausen and Zürich, between the municipalities of Neuhausen am Rheinfall and Laufen-Uhwiesen/Dachsen, next to the town of Schaffhausen in northern Switzerland. They are 150 metres wide and 23 metres high. 

There is plenty to see and do in the falls, can visit the Wörth Castle and Laufen Castle both of which are nice to look at, can venture around the whole Falls itself, going on a loop and crisscrossing via a bridge, can get near via an observation deck or the numerous viewing platforms dotted about, or, if brave, can even take a tourist boat near the falls itself, a choppy enough endeavor. Some people even get off the boat to climb the standing stack in the midst of the Falls…… Of course if you prefer there a few restaurants on the promenade, to have a nice meal and/or beer and look at the falls from afar. 

Tit bit of information for the football obsessed, i.e. people like me! Roberto Di Matteo, ex Italian and Chelsea player and coach, comes from the town of Schaffhausen. Yes Italian, both his parents were from the old country so that’s how he played for the Azzurri.  Karl Jäge, is also a native son to the town, but the Swiss-born German mid-ranking official in the SS of Nazi Germany and Einsatzkommando leader who perpetrated acts of genocide during the Holocaust is better forgotten and the less said about him the better, ha!

 

Pub watch 

Restaurant CM Brauhaus

Schaffhausen

Address: Zentralstrasse 1 8212 Neuhausen am Rheinfall

www.cmbrauhaus.ch/

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SchaffhausenKnowing I could walk from Schaffhausen to Neuhausen am Rheinfall, I decided to make a trip to the family run Restaurant CM Brauhaus as I read they brew their own beer, and felt it might be an interesting place to see. 

I kind of messed up as the walk, which I had done many times before, was longer than I had remembered. So in actual fact I only made it to one bar for the trip due to this excessive trip. 

But it was worth it as the bar/restaurant is a treasure. Within the centre of the restaurant there are two bigger copper kettles where the house beer and seasonal beers are regularly brewed. The vaulted cellar is where most of the magic happens, located directly below the restaurant, where all the brews are fermented and stored until served cold at the bar.  

SchaffhausenThe CM Brauhaus restaurant opened its doors for the first time as a Brauhaus restaurant in 2016. The interior has a very modern feel to it yet their is also a nod to its vintage location as there are some artifacts to brewery and local history dotted around. Its a nice place to sit down and relax. I ventured in to see the copper tanks, but many people were seated outside enjoying their food and beers with the lovely day that it was.  A nice atmosphere at the brewhouse, everyone enjoying themselves. A definite touristy kind of feel going on, happy to be out and about. 

I didn’t go for any food, which looked damn good on what I saw coming out of the kitchen, I probably should have, but decided to have the house beer, which was a pale ale, nourishment enough I guessed. Service was fast and very friendly, they also charged my phone on request which was kind of them. The beer was served cold and was FANTASTIC, well worth the long walk. You know the beer was good as I ordered another one, breaking my one beer one pub rule. Liked it here a lot, has a very homely and relaxing feel to the place, and one where I could have happily spent longer. And the beers were to die for. Often these places can be very pretentious but this brew house was brilliant, and I hope I can return in the near future.  

 

FC Schaffhausen

Schaffhausen

Arena/Stadium: LIPO Park

Location: 8207 Schaffhausen

Capacity: 8,200 

Manager: Murat Yakın

Founded: 1896

League: Swiss Challenge League

Club home page 

Honours:
Challenge League (2nd div title): 2 (2004 and 1963)

Swiss Cup: Runners up 1988 and 1994

info@fcschaffhausen.ch

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SchaffhausenFC Schaffhausen is a Swiss football team from the town of Schaffhausen. They participate in the Challenge League, the second tier of Swiss football. Founded in 1896 as “football club Viktoria”, they are one of the oldest teams in the country.

The team usually sticks around the second division, for about 54 seasons in fact, with only very brief forays at the top table, the top league, in the 50’s, 60’s and from 2004 to 2007, and the odd occasion even dropping to the 3rd league. Must be great to be a FC Schaffhausen fan. Wonder have any jumped off the Falls after a particularly boring season, or are they well used to it by now? 

SchaffhausenAs for honours, they won the third division titles in 1945 and 1984, and in 1963 and 2004 second division titles, and qualified for the final in the Swiss Cup in 1988 and 1994. Not a whole lot for the old club to be fair. 

FC Schaffhausen used to play in the Breite Stadium which had a capacity of just over 7000, but with only about a 1000 seats so in early 2017 they  moved to the LIPO Park Schaffhausen, which has a capacity of 8,000 seats albeit the players play on an artificial turf, yuck. They also tog out at home in yellow, to add to their woes!

Well know ex players were, local boy, Roberto Di Matteo and Joachim Löw, present German National Manager. 

To the game

FC Schaffhausen 2 – 4 FC Aarau 

08.02.2020  • LIPO Park Stadium , Schaffhausen

• Spadanuda (26′) FC A

• Rrudhani (51′) FCA

• Qollaku (60′) FC Schaff.

• Del Toro (67′) FC Schaff.

• Schneuwly (Pen 71′) FCA

• Hammerich (89′)  FCA   

Attendance: 561

Had to fill in a Covid tracing form to enter ground, no worries.

But first issue is that the stand I was in didn’t take card, I wanted to get a beer and something to eat. No card, can you believe it? So much for the cashless society. But the lady behind the bar was kind enough to give me a beer, on the house, which was extremely nice of her.

Schaffhausen(At half time I managed to go out of the stand area and get some cash from an inhouse cash machine, with the help of one kind official, so was able to buy some more beer, and pay for the free beer, afterwards)

Was pissing down with rain and was cold, but thankfully was well covered under the main stand. Plastic pitch, in the rain…….. expect lots of goals then.

Home team had a few chances at the start of game, but the FC Aarau goalie was pretty alert and pulled off a few good saves.

Spadanuda scored a nice goal from the 26th minute, capitalizing on the slow reactions of the home team in clearing the ball from their own defence, to put FC Aarau one nil up.

After that nothing really happened until the second half. Rrudhani for the away team, livened things up when he scored a nice goal from the edge of the penalty box, nice, 2-0. 

SchaffhausenThat was the kick up the backside the home team needed, as less than ten minutes later they managed to scramble the ball home, Qollaku shooting home from close range, albeit it looked well offside to me, but there you go, the fightback was on.

And then a mix up from a FC Aarau throw in, in their own half, the Italian, Del Toro quickly pounced on the error to slot home a lovely equaliser. Game on now………. great stuff. 

SchaffhausenBut then the referee had a brain fart and sent off the defender, Kaiser in the 71st minute, for the most gentlest of tug backs, and also award a penalty to FC Aarau, the bastard! Never a penalty. Slotted home expertly, right hand top corner, by Schneuwly, who came on as a substitute and was involved in everything in the latter stages for the away team. A good player to spring from the bench. 

To makes things worse for the home team, Hammerich scored a well worked team effort, to make it 4-2 for FC Aarau, and a very comfortable performance for the away team. Home team tried their best but they just were not at the same skill level as FC AAarau, who just had that bit more quality. 

Good game. No real atmosphere but I could put that down to the awful weather, virtually played out under a downpour, and also the home team letting in four goals. The stadium is nice and dinky, and has four similar stands all around. I can imagine when its full, it might be fun. Food and beer, usual rubbish one can expect this side of the world inside a stadium. They don’t do burgers or pies too well over here!! 

Highlights of the game here.

Overall

Cant say I enjoyed the day. I wankered myself out with my mad walk to the beer house, and the walk back. That and the awful weather, raining throughout the game, making it cold and miserable. Not too much to see in the town, bit dead, and although the game was good, there was no atmosphere……. 

Schaffhausen

Schaffhausen is a nice town, but might be better to visit during the summer! 

 

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Short chat with long time Shels fan, Aidan

Short chat with long time Shels fan, Aidan

Had the pleasure of having a short chat with long time Shels fan, Aidan Geraghty (@Aido1895)
  

So, my name is Aidan Geraghty and I have been a Shelbourne fan since 1999, first game I came to was the 9th of August 99 against Manchester United, Greg Costello scored and we won 1-0 and I have been coming home and away ever since. 

Who brought you to that first game? 

My da and my uncle brought me down. At the time I was coming to watch United. As there is Shelbourne history in my family but been a kid at the time I didn’t know that. I came down because I wanted to see Man United, they just won the Treble and little did I know at the time my dad was bringing me down because he wanted to get me into supporting Shels. And I came down, sitting in the Riverside Stand over there, dont know what it was but from the first time I was here, something about the kit just caught my eye and I was hooked. The whole place like, the kind of atmosphere, the ground, the kit…just….I dont know, I can’t really put my finger on what it was but something just kind of caught my eye as a kid at the time and I was hooked, and I have come ever since.

Shelbourne F.C

Excellent. So there is something in those pre season friendlies then, yeah? 

Ah yeah there is, I suppose it depends on the opposition we play, we played Hearts (Scotland) last week, you probably won’t get too many young fellas from Dublin coming down to watch Hearts and getting hooked but if you get the right opposition, like I know that Shower down in Phibsboro (Bohemiens) played Chelsea the other night, unfortunately they might get a few fans out of that, you never know. 

So generally, is it hard to get people out to Tolka Park then?

I think it depends on how the team is doing to be honest. I think Irish people in general when it comes to sport are very fickle, I think as a nation we find it hard  to support a team week in week out over the course of a 25/35 game season but as you will see tonight, the place is heaving tonight, there is about 1,200 people here and that’s because it’s coming towards the business end of the season, the team is doing well, there is something to play for, so I think with a bg club like this, a historic club like this, when things are going well on the pitch people will come

And all that time you were following them what was the highlights for you?

The obvious answer is Deportivo (D La Coruna from Spain) in 2004, or that and that whole European run,  that was unbelievable, it was a moment you were proud to be a Shels fan, we played Reykjavík, Hajduk Split (Croatia), Deportivo and Lille in the Champions League and the Uefa Cup.

But to be honest with you my proudest moment was the very first game in the 2007 season. We were champions in 2006 and then we were demoted at the end of the season to the First Division. We were Premier Division Champions but playing in the First Division in 2007, and a week before the season the club hadn’t got two pennies to rub together, and a week before the season it looked like we weren’t able to field a team.

Dermot Kiely, fair play to him, came in and brought a bunch of young lads in. I remember being at a meeting down at the bar there and I was only a teenager at the time and my dad brought me down to this meeting and I remember Olly Byrne (Chairman at the time), God rest him, saying if we do field a team this season it could be just a load of lads wearing red jerseys with Shels on them and we could be getting hammered every week. And at that time we were afraid we wouldn’t have a club so we said “yeah that’s fine”, as long as there is a team out on that pitch and they are wearing red jerseys, fine, and credit to Dermot Keely, he came in, brought in a bunch of young fellas, and a weeks notice before the start of the season.

And we played Kildare County here, we went 2-0 down, and then Darren McKenna scored a last minute equaliser to draw two all.  And our previous game was like here against Bohs, and there was about 7,000 here to win the League, and then we played Kildare County and probably about 3,000 here, it was probably the biggest crowd Kildare County had ever played in front off, and they were so close to beating a bunch of kids that had Shels on their jerseys. And to see a team like that, a bunch of young fellas who were playing for the shirt, they weren’t playing for money or whatever, and to see a club rally together, to keep the club, at that time the club was a 112 years old, and was very, very close to dying, a lot of other clubs like Cork City, Derry, Limerick, Galway….they all let their clubs die and reformed in difficult circumstances, that didn’t happen here……….. so that was my proudest moment supporting Shelbourne.  

So rivals then, Bohemians it must be, they are not that far off……

Yeah, maybe a mile, mile and a half…………the three biggest rivals are Bohs, Rovers and Pats. For me that’s the order. Bohs first, Rovers second, Pats third. For some people that would vary I think, some older fans and some fans from Ringsend might have Rovers first…some people who started coming round the mid 90’s might have Pats first but I’d say for the majority of fans I’d say Bohs are probably the main rival. 

Ok, the club had about 7 or 8 million debt (correction closer to 6 million or less) and then you have Olly Byrne (Ex Chairman)…………….lol……..how do you want to answer that or will we skip that one, lol

I will do my best to answer it. Olly wasn’t perfect and he is probably the main reason we are in the First Division now. But I have to say, in fairness to him, any mistakes he made he wasn’t doing it for personal gain, he was doing it because he was trying to make Shelbourne Football Club be the best that they could be, because he loved Shelbourne Football Club as much as anyone here, if not more. So, did he make mistakes, absolutely yes, he made mistakes that almost killed the club, and I have no problem saying that. But the reason he did it was because he had such ambition for this football club, he wanted this football club to be at the top table of European football.

Shelbourne F.C

And I am sure I will find fans that will have an opposite viewpoint.

Yes, absolutely, yeah without a doubt. You wouldn’t even have to ask that many people, he definitely is a controversial figure around here. There is some people that won’t have a bad word said about him and there are some people who will only say bad words about him. The reality is somewhere in the middle, I think he definitely did things that could have killed this football club but he was doing it for the right reasons. 

And that leads onto going into the new groundshare with Bohemians Football Club. I mean from me looking in from the outside, I like Shelbourne, I love the set up you have here, I always enjoy myself coming here, people are buzzing all the time here,  I dunno I just think if you go to Dalymount, it’s just like two clubs in Dublin, Friday and Saturday night, I dunno, I honestly dont think its going to work……

I agree with you, as far as I am concerned if we do go to Dalymount the club will most likely be out of senior football within 50 years and that’s probably being optimistic. The reason that Dalymount is being developed and not Tolka is because Bohs spent the last ten years lobbying Dublin City Council, the FAI and all the relevant bodies, Bohs got their house in order a long time before we did, and they were lobbying to get their ground and their history preserved. 

Meanwhile we were kind of scrambling about, going from year to year with no real long term plan. And I still think if we had have bothered to look for alternatives they would have been there. I dont want to dwell on it too long as it’s a subject that gets me angry! 

But could it work?

No, the concept of ground sharing I am not completely opposed to, but it’s the location that is the problem. Bohs have been in that area for over a hundred years. Shelbourne are never going to attract fans in Phibsboro, Cabra, Stoneybatter, and that area, its just not going to happen.

 So where do you think that Shels could go? 

I dont know to be honest.

There is nothing wrong with here (Tolka Park) if they developed it, maybe?

Yeah, Dublin City Council own this ground now, that was the deal, you mentioned the debt earlier, Dublin City Council took over this ground and cleared our debt in the process. I think Dublin City Council could be open to redeveloping this on a smaller scale and maybe knocking down a house or two for housing, I dont know but I think until you explore those options I dont think it does justice to this football club to just say well Dalymount is the only option and that’s the end of that. I think we owe it to the 125 years of this club to explore other options. 

Shelbourne F.C

And anyone coming to see Shelbourne play for the first time, just coming up the road and just walking into this club, what should they expect, what’s it like here?

Well for me it just gets in on you, it’s just an addiction, no matter what’s going on in your life, you could be after losing your job, you could have a bereavement, you could be after breaking up with your missus or whatever and when you come down here and The Reds score a goal, for 10 seconds that doesn’t matter, nothing else in your life matters for that 10 seconds after a goal goes in and that’s just it, there is no way to describe it other than its a drug and you have to keep coming back for more and it’s an addiction.

So are you positive for the future then?

I dont know to be honest, if the move down the road happens then there is no future but if something can be arranged in the meantime whether it is to stay here or to move to a greenfield site or whatever then this football club has massive potential. The only club in this country that has won more trophies is Rovers (Shamrock Rovers) so there is absolutely massive potential in this football club but the people who are running the football club now have a duty, not just a responsibility, a duty to make sure this football club stays alive and thrives and if we move to Dalymount that won’t happen. 

And just before we finish if anyone wants to follow, is there a supporters club that is for Shelbourne or anything we can follow online? 

There is no kind of official supporters club, there is the official club twitter page is @shelsfc, the official facebook page is Shelbourne Football Club, the instagram page is @shelsfc as well, and there are some other unofficial pages as well, there is a Shels fans group on facebook, We’re Not Barcelona page, there are a lot of channels online that they can follow the club, yeah. 

Ok, Thanks very much Aiden, I know the game is on now

Your grand, alright………

 

Shelbourne F.C, football away days

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Shelbourne F.C

Shelbourne F.C, football away days

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In between writing up my trip, Shelbourne got promoted to the Irish Premier Division for the 2020 season. Well done to Ian Morris, in his first stint as a manager, for getting the old club back to its rightful position amongst the top gods of Irish football. Credit is due to the fact he assembled a very good squad of players, also having a team with ex Dundalk striker Ciarán Kilduff, ex Pats powerhouse Conan Byrne, Ryan Brennan, James English, Karl Moore, and Dean Delaney in goals, all helped of course. 

 

My latest Irish footballing groundhop brought me to the Northside of Dublin, to Drumcondra, an inner city suburb, where the The River Tolka and the Royal Canal meet. Drumcondra is home to one of Europe’s finest stadiums, Croke Park, with a capacity of over 82,000 people, where the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) have their main events (football and hurling), but it was to Tolka Park where I ventured, to see one of Ireland’s oldest footballing clubs, Shelbourne FC.

Shelbourne F.C

I am well aware of Shelbourne as I used to live not far off, in Fairview, and often went to a game there back in the day. I also know that Drumcondra, and the North Side, has many of the city’s finest pubs, all a bit rough and ready, but never lacking in Dublin wit and character. So I looked forward to traversing the side streets of this end of the town, on the hunt for good beer and even better company, and to see “the Reds” once more. 

Shelbourne F.CDrumcondra is one of Dublin’s oldest inner residential suburbs, and you can still get to see some of the old terraced style houses on show. Also the Royal Canal hugs this side of the city, and it can be nice on a hot day to walk along the towpaths and get a feel for the Northside. Griffith Park, near the well to do Griffith Avenue, is a lovely escape, and the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin is only a short walk away.

It is worth visiting Croke Park at least once in your life, and the museum beside the stadium is top notch as well. They have also started doing skyline tours from the roof of the stadium which is something I will definitely have to try some day, offering a nice view of the skyline of North Dublin. When the GAA is on in Croke Park, the area comes alive with pubs doing a roaring trade, the “craic” is at ninety, and the match day atmosphere all fun and jovial. 

Shelbourne F.CGetting to the area is very easy, with the area even having its own national rail and DART (Light rail) stop at Drumcondra railway station, on the main Drumcondra road, only one stop from Connolly station (Ireland’s main train station). Also a host of Dublin Bus routes serve the Drumcondra area, such as the 1, 11, 16, 33, or 41 amongst others (usually can be taken in and around O’Connell Street). You could also walk it from the city centre, taking about 30 minutes or so brisk walk.

Famous residents and people from Drumcondra include Ex Taoiseach and crook Bertie Ahern,  writers Seán O’Casey and James Joyce (who said that Drumcondra was where the world’s best English was spoken!), and well known contrarian and ex-footballer Eamon Dunphy.

 

Pub watch

Quinns

Address: 42 Drumcondra Road Lower, Dublin 9

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Shelbourne F.CStraight off the Drumcondra train stop and with lightning speed we went right into the nearest and handiest pub for thirsty souls, and that was to be Quinns. I have reviewed this pub before when I did my Guinness tour of Dublin

Considered a good lively bar, Quinns is a well known and popular pub which is always busy when there is a GAA game on nearby in Croke Park. But was quiet though when we arrived early enough on the Friday, mid afternoon. Sat up at bar and ordered my new favourite light lager, a pint of Rockshore, and a packet of Manhattan Salt and Vinegar crisps, a brand I hadn’t seen before but were well tasty. Service was fine, pint nice and cool, and settings was relaxed and comfy. 

I like this bar, has good friendly staff and always a decent pint. Recommended, especially if attending a game at Croker. Can get busy at night time, and is a student favourite (but don’t let that put you off!).

 

Patrick McGrath’s 

Shelbourne F.C

Address: 22 Drumcondra Road Lower, Dublin

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Shelbourne F.CSecond pint of the day was a short walk away in Mcgraths, an ordinary decent boozer as they would say. Pretty dull frontage, all brown, but inside it was nice and comfy, wooden interior and had some decent beers on tap. I sat down at the busy enough bar for that time of the day, and went for a pint of Galway Hooker Pale Ale, something I have heard raved about online, it has won awards dont you know! Served fast enough by the friendly bar man, pint was great, lovely and cool, and enjoyed my short time here having a nice quiet chat with the brother. The bar has a bit of a local feel to the place which adds to its cozy atmosphere. 

Apparently this place does good food too, with great reviews online, which I would never have guessed and I didn’t see any menus hanging around. Ah next time I am in town so………..

Good bar, and definitely will be back. 

 

The Red Parrot 

Shelbourne F.C

Address: 57-58 Dorset Street Lower, Drumcondra, Dublin 1

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Shelbourne F.CNext pub of the day was to be the Red Parrot, a smallish pub that was very empty when we arrived, just one other customer! Ordered a pint of stout from the friendly barman. 

What I did like about this bar is that they had 80’s and 90’s music on from the TV, the old hits pumping out, brilliant. Not too loud but easy enough on the ear to enjoy, and the tunes went down very well with my very decent pint of plain. 

Not much else to say, small local bar, simple interior, not busy and good pint. 

 

 The Hideout

Shelbourne F.C

Address: 1-3 Campbells Row, Ballybough Dublin 1 

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Shelbourne F.CAs we were walking along we noticed a sign for The Hideout Pub, we followed, intrigued, down an alley into a square with a block of flats and at the corner there was a bar. No need to guess too hard why the bar then is called the Hideout!

Bar was doing a small trade, but the bar man was in good humour, full of Dublin wit and asking for us to take his photo, all good fun. Sat down beside a local who we noticed was drinking a bottle of Macardle’s. I knew this beer was from Dundalk, but had never seen it on sale, so naturally went for a bottle of it too. Served nice and cold it was fantastic, really crisp and refreshing. So good I went for another one and broke my one bar one pint rule. I checked on Wiki and they say the Brewery was discontinued, but obviously not if it can travel all the way to inner city Dublin.  

Shelbourne F.CShelbourne F.C

Apparently this bar was opened after many years of closure, by a couple who met here and fell in love. Twenty five years later they came back to reopen this bar in 2014, five years after it had closed down. 

In the shadow of Croke Park, this is a pretty decent boozer, offering nice tasty beers in a nice refurbished interior, with a fun bar man and chatty customers, I will definitely be back. Recommended. 

 

Phil Ryan’s  (The Hogan Stand Pub)

Shelbourne F.C

Address: 514 North Circular Road, Dublin 1

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Shelbourne F.CNext up was a pint of Guinness in The Hogan Stand, a popular pub this side of Dublin. The Hogan Stand is a well known stand in Croke Park Stadium, the GAA ground nearby. 

The Pint was fantastic, perfectly poured and tasted delicious. Also had some Kings crips, salt and vinegar variety, that was lunch sorted! 

Pub had a normal decor, nothing fancy, and the clientele was your average man and woman of the northside. A busy enough crowd in, all good atmosphere, and enjoyed myself here. 

Standard Dublin pub. Good fun, good beer, decent atmosphere. 

 

 The Bridge Tavern

Shelbourne F.C

Address: 6 Summerhill Parade, Dublin 1

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Shelbourne F.CNext pub certainly stood out from the crowd, what with a big fuck off murial of Dublin GAA on the frontage, eye catching and definitely worth a closer look!

In we went, a real Dublin pub with traditional bar wooden interior where Guinness still rules. Ordered two pints of plain, and sat down. Bar was relatively busy, horse racing on the box and a general jovial atmosphere in the pub. 

The bar man was quick and he pulled a very decent pint of Guinness. Could have stayed here for a few more, but with time running out, and with us wanting to squeeze another couple of pubs into the walkabout, we decided to drink up and leave. Good pub that we will return to again in the future for a closer inspection………..

 

Lowry’s Pub 

Shelbourne F.C

Address: 16 Summerhill Parade, Dublin 1

Shelbourne F.CWe headed into Lowrys on the corner. Place had a very good crowd inside, interior was nothing special, old style decor that looked like it hasn’t changed since the 80s. Ordered a Smithwicks, pulled fast from the friendly bar man.

Some good banter in the pub, with a pint that was fantastic, and Elvis was in attendance, this pub was where the craic was building. Pity we had to drink up and head onwards on our trip………..Good pub, will be back for sure. 

 

Luke Kelly Sculpture

Since we were in this side of Dublin we decided that it would be a shame not to have a quick gander at Dublin’s newest statute, a Luke Kelly sculpture situated just across the bridge on the edge of Guild Street and Sheriff Street, to mark the 35th anniversary of his death. (Died in 1984 of a brain tumour aged just 43). Luke was born into a working-class household in Sheriff Street, in 1940. 

Shelbourne F.CLuke Kelly, with his very distinctive singing style, was a quintessential Dublin singer, folk musician, and social activist, and a hero and all round Irish legend to many. Luke, of course, was a prominent member of The Dubliners, the Irish trad specialists, whose versions of Irish classics like “The Rocky Road to Dublin”, “Seven Drunken Nights”, “The Town I Loved So Well”, “On Raglan Road” enthralled millions of people not just in Ireland but all across the world, a folk singer that will forever be remembered.  

Designed by German born but Dublin based artist, Vera Klute, the sculpture is quite distinctive and definitely stands out, showing a big curly red head and bearded Luke on display for the whole world to see. Eye catching, just like Luke Kelly was, that being the point I guess!

It’s quite big and I have to say it’s a great piece of artistic work, getting Kelly’s facial expressions down to a tee. Hats off to Vera Klute, this is an excellent sculpture and one that the people of the Northside can be proud of. 

Shelbourne F.CBut wait a minute, the statue was apparently vandalized with graffiti just a few weeks after its unveiling! No one knows why but I was thinking perhaps it might be that the statue is really not in the heart of Sheriff Street but just across the bridge on the edge of the area he was from, and nearer to the nicer part of the town? Walking straight across the bridge to the statue one can be in no doubt that you are walking across a social divide, at least that was the impression I got, and not so much a gift to the local people but something for the tourists to gawk at and then promptly turn right around least they venture too close to the centre of Sheriff Street. Or maybe I am putting too much into that…………. Anyway, thankfully the graffiti was removed and the statue was restored in all its glory by the time we had a look. 

Noctor’s

Shelbourne F.C

Address: 34 Sheriff Street Lower, IFSC, Dublin 1

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Back on track we went into Noctors, a pub with a bit of a “reputation” shall we say. Straight away we stood out, two culchie (country) lads in the big schmoke, so much so a lot of the clientele thought we were coppers. Bit funny, perhaps less so when they started following us to the toilets! Least we were safe, not like they are going to whack a cop, lol!

Anyway place was pretty busy, mostly young fellas having a few jars. Ordered a Smithwicks, this isn’t a craft beer joint! Bar lady was friendly, and efficient, pint served fine, and was tasty. Did strike up a conversation with a nice young man beside us, but it was a bit distracting when literally the whole bar were looking at us. Still though, gotta love the Dubs, eh! 

Didn’t get to take any photos of the interior or my pint, best not to really. This is definitely a local bar for local people, and we drank up quickly and left even quicker………….thankful we were to survive another day! (Albeit I had a drunken suspicion we were followed!)

 

The Tolka Bar

Shelbourne F.C

Address: Richmond Road, Dublin 3

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Before and after the game, we managed to have a few jars in Shelbourne’s own bar, The Tolka Bar, a crammed little place but with some good atmosphere going on.  A lot of good football memorabilia on display too. I have had a pint in this place before which was rotten, but on the day that was in it, the beers were perfectly fine.  A football bar with football supporters, not much else really to say, all good clean fun…………

 

Shelbourne F.C.

Shelbourne F.C

Founded: 1895

Arena/Stadium: Tolka Park, Dublin

Location: 70-74 Richmond Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 3

Capacity: 9681

Manager: Ian Morris

Leagues: League of Ireland First Division

Honours
League of Ireland/Premier Division: 13 (Last 2006)
 FAI Cup: 7 (Last 2000)

Club home page 

club@shelbournefc.ie

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Nicknames: Shels, The Reds

Shelbourne F.C

Shelbourne Football Club, founded in 1895 and based in Drumcondra, play at Tolka Park in the League of Ireland First Division. Set up by a group of men looking to start a football team led by a Mr James Rowan. The club took its name from the nearby Shelbourne Road and Shelbourne House hotel where a collection was had to enable the club to buy its first set of football gear and to pay its affiliation fee.

A founding member of the League of Ireland in 1921, having previously played in the Irish Football League, since 1904, which incorporated teams from the north of Ireland as well as those from the south. Their home colours are red and white, and are lovingly known amongst fans as “The Reds”

Shelbourne F.CThe club have played out of Tolka Park, in the heart of Drumcondra, since the 1950’s but only as official tenants since 1989. Tolka Park is a famous ground steeped in Irish sporting folklore but it has seen better days. Now the ground is pretty derelict looking and not all the stands are open to the public owing to safety concerns, and unkept terraces. Of course it must be said that Shels were not the first team to play here, that honour goes to Drumcondra F.C. who played here from 1928-1972 along the way winning 5 championships, but now sadly are not involved in LOI top tier football.

They are one of the country’s most successful football teams, having won the national league on 13 occasions and the FAI Cup 7 times. Dermot Keely was appointed Manager at the start of the 1998/99 season and led the club to the “Double” in the season 1999/2000 for the first time in the clubs 105 year history. Another league title for Keely in 2002, who then handed the reigns to Pat Fenlon who signed striker Jason Byrne and the rest they say is history……..becoming one of the most prolific goal scorers in the league shooting Shels to three championship titles. 

Shelbourne F.CUnder the direction of the club’s majority shareholder and Chief Executive, the fairly flamboyant Oliver Byrne, the club ran up a huge debt pile chasing European glory, attempting to reach the Champions League but not quite getting there, all leading to a near break up of the club, resulting in the derelict ground and loss of a decent team. In the 2004/5 season they were one game off the Champions League proper, after knocking out KR Reykjavík of Iceland and then Croatian League Champions HNK Hajduk Split in a very memorable 2-0 home victory, they then proceeded to play a very good Deportivo La Coruna team from Spain, going out a very respectable 3-0 on aggregate. In 2006 the club got into serious debt, so Ollie Byrne sold the ground to property developer Ossie Kilkenny to help repay the club’s debts. Pat Fenlon resigned as their manager, and most of the team left. All this leaving them with demotion to the second division by the FAI where they have languished for the last few seasons, with the one exception of a brief appearance back in the top division in 2011 after promotion, but relegation two years after! (They also made the Cup final in 2011, losing to Sligo on penos!).

Since the sale of Tolka Park in 2006, Shelbourne have been trying to relocate to a new ground. Step forward the FAI and neighbours Bohemians with a proposed ground share in a new redeveloped Dalymount, the spiritual home of Irish football. Dublin City Council helped Shels clear their debt, and are providing support in this new Dalymount Park, which will be owned by the council. Things at the moment seemed to have stalled a bit, but it looks like all parties have agreed to it, albeit some Shels supporters are not happy with the whole idea. I can get this as ground shares dont tend to work in Ireland. Dublin City’s ground sharing days with Bohs, Pats and anyone else that would have them, didn’t work out at all, and I think Dublin is too small a city for this to happen. I also see it as another land grand by the property men. Rather than do up a half decent ground, they let it decay, and would rather sell the land than have a football team. But let’s see, I could be wrong………….

Shelbourne F.C

In terms of supporters groups and rivalries, ‘Briogáid Dearg’ (Red Brigade) is the clubs “ultra” group. Formed in 2003, they bring a lot of noise and colour to the stands, or stand as it is now! The big rival must be Bohemians, who are not too far away, about a mile away in fact, in Phibsboro.  

To the game

Shelbourne 1-1 Cabinteely 

Shelbourne F.C

12.07.2019 Tolka Park, Dublin 

79’ Karl Moore

93’ Shane Barnes  

Attendance: 1,159

Got to the game in good enough time to have a pint or two from the club bar.  

Atmosphere was building on the lovely summer’s day that was in it, with a decent enough crowd at the game…….took my place behind the goals, standing room only, and near the chippie! 

Shelbourne F.CRight from the off Shelbourne were all guns ablazing, nearly scoring with a header from one of their defenders. But Cabinteely were also livewires, getting a shot off the crossbar, unlucky not to score first. 

Shels front two, James English and Ciaran Kilduff, both went close, perhaps one of them should have scored a goal. 

Shelbourne F.CMcGuinness, the Cabinteely netminder, was alert to everything, saving well from a Shels break, a one on one, he did well to keep out.

The ball was in the net just before half time, as Kilduff did eventually score, but it was disallowed, for pushing, I think. I say I think but I wasn’t sure myself. I was a little pissed truth be told!

The early second half saw more of the same, both teams having decent chances to score, but with no luck.

Shelbourne F.CConan Byrne, ex Pats legend, was introduced just after the hour mark and made a huge difference to the team, bringing more impetus to the attack, nearly scoring as well making McGuinness pull off another one of his saves. 

The goal finally came when Karl Moore got onto a shot to guide the ball in for Shels to take the lead. The pressure was building and it was what the home team deserved. 

So it was a great surprise when Cabinteely equalised when Shane Barnes cut in from the right to blast home the unexpected equaliser, in injury time. 

Time was nearly up but yet there was still more drama to follow, a handball in the box resulted in a penalty to Shelbourne. Conan Byrne took the penalty but wouldn’t you know it, McGuinness again saving it to round off a top rate performance in goals for Cabinteely, saving the point for the Blackrock team.  

Shelbourne F.CThe result meant that Shels are still out front at the top of the First Division while Cabinteely further strengthened their chances of getting a play off position. Both teams played some good football at times and it was refreshing to see the ball played around the park a sight not too often seen in this division!

Have to say Tolka was in bad enough shape. I was surprised to see the Drumcondra Stand behind the goals closed off. This is where the Shels ultras and diehards congregate. For this game they were situated far off at the edge of the main (and only) stand, the Richmond Road Stand, which was full for the game. Still though a good atmosphere in the old ground. 

Interview

Had the pleasure of having a short chat with long time Shels fan, Aidan Geraghty (@Aido1895)
  

So, my name is Aidan Geraghty and I have been a Shelbourne fan since 1999, first game I came to was the 9th of August 99 against Manchester United, Greg Costello scored and we won 1-0 and I have been coming home and away ever since. 

Who brought you to that first game? 

My da and my uncle brought me down. At the time I was coming to watch United. As there is Shelbourne history in my family but been a kid at the time I didn’t know that. I came down because I wanted to see Man United, they just won the Treble and little did I know at the time my dad was bringing me down because he wanted to get me into supporting Shels. And I came down, sitting in the Riverside Stand over there, dont know what it was but from the first time I was here, something about the kit just caught my eye and I was hooked. The whole place like, the kind of atmosphere, the ground, the kit…just….I dont know, I can’t really put my finger on what it was but something just kind of caught my eye as a kid at the time and I was hooked, and I have come ever since.

Shelbourne F.C

Excellent. So there is something in those pre season friendlies then, yeah? 

Ah yeah there is, I suppose it depends on the opposition we play, we played Hearts (Scotland) last week, you probably won’t get too many young fellas from Dublin coming down to watch Hearts and getting hooked but if you get the right opposition, like I know that Shower down in Phibsboro (Bohemiens) played Chelsea the other night, unfortunately they might get a few fans out of that, you never know. 

So generally, is it hard to get people out to Tolka Park then?

I think it depends on how the team is doing to be honest. I think Irish people in general when it comes to sport are very fickle, I think as a nation we find it hard  to support a team week in week out over the course of a 25/35 game season but as you will see tonight, the place is heaving tonight, there is about 1,200 people here and that’s because it’s coming towards the business end of the season, the team is doing well, there is something to play for, so I think with a bg club like this, a historic club like this, when things are going well on the pitch people will come

And all that time you were following them what was the highlights for you?

The obvious answer is Deportivo (D La Coruna from Spain) in 2004, or that and that whole European run,  that was unbelievable, it was a moment you were proud to be a Shels fan, we played Reykjavík, Hajduk Split (Croatia), Deportivo and Lille in the Champions League and the Uefa Cup.

But to be honest with you my proudest moment was the very first game in the 2007 season. We were champions in 2006 and then we were demoted at the end of the season to the First Division. We were Premier Division Champions but playing in the First Division in 2007, and a week before the season the club hadn’t got two pennies to rub together, and a week before the season it looked like we weren’t able to field a team.

Dermot Kiely, fair play to him, came in and brought a bunch of young lads in. I remember being at a meeting down at the bar there and I was only a teenager at the time and my dad brought me down to this meeting and I remember Olly Byrne (Chairman at the time), God rest him, saying if we do field a team this season it could be just a load of lads wearing red jerseys with Shels on them and we could be getting hammered every week. And at that time we were afraid we wouldn’t have a club so we said “yeah that’s fine”, as long as there is a team out on that pitch and they are wearing red jerseys, fine, and credit to Dermot Keely, he came in, brought in a bunch of young fellas, and a weeks notice before the start of the season.

And we played Kildare County here, we went 2-0 down, and then Darren McKenna scored a last minute equaliser to draw two all.  And our previous game was like here against Bohs, and there was about 7,000 here to win the League, and then we played Kildare County and probably about 3,000 here, it was probably the biggest crowd Kildare County had ever played in front off, and they were so close to beating a bunch of kids that had Shels on their jerseys. And to see a team like that, a bunch of young fellas who were playing for the shirt, they weren’t playing for money or whatever, and to see a club rally together, to keep the club, at that time the club was a 112 years old, and was very, very close to dying, a lot of other clubs like Cork City, Derry, Limerick, Galway….they all let their clubs die and reformed in difficult circumstances, that didn’t happen here……….. so that was my proudest moment supporting Shelbourne.  

So rivals then, Bohemians it must be, they are not that far off……

Yeah, maybe a mile, mile and a half…………the three biggest rivals are Bohs, Rovers and Pats. For me that’s the order. Bohs first, Rovers second, Pats third. For some people that would vary I think, some older fans and some fans from Ringsend might have Rovers first…some people who started coming round the mid 90’s might have Pats first but I’d say for the majority of fans I’d say Bohs are probably the main rival. 

Ok, the club had about 7 or 8 million debt (correction closer to 6 million or less) and then you have Olly Byrne (Ex Chairman)…………….lol……..how do you want to answer that or will we skip that one, lol

I will do my best to answer it. Olly wasn’t perfect and he is probably the main reason we are in the First Division now. But I have to say, in fairness to him, any mistakes he made he wasn’t doing it for personal gain, he was doing it because he was trying to make Shelbourne Football Club be the best that they could be, because he loved Shelbourne Football Club as much as anyone here, if not more. So, did he make mistakes, absolutely yes, he made mistakes that almost killed the club, and I have no problem saying that. But the reason he did it was because he had such ambition for this football club, he wanted this football club to be at the top table of European football.

Shelbourne F.C

And I am sure I will find fans that will have an opposite viewpoint.

Yes, absolutely, yeah without a doubt. You wouldn’t even have to ask that many people, he definitely is a controversial figure around here. There is some people that won’t have a bad word said about him and there are some people who will only say bad words about him. The reality is somewhere in the middle, I think he definitely did things that could have killed this football club but he was doing it for the right reasons. 

And that leads onto going into the new groundshare with Bohemians Football Club. I mean from me looking in from the outside, I like Shelbourne, I love the set up you have here, I always enjoy myself coming here, people are buzzing all the time here,  I dunno I just think if you go to Dalymount, it’s just like two clubs in Dublin, Friday and Saturday night, I dunno, I honestly dont think its going to work……

I agree with you, as far as I am concerned if we do go to Dalymount the club will most likely be out of senior football within 50 years and that’s probably being optimistic. The reason that Dalymount is being developed and not Tolka is because Bohs spent the last ten years lobbying Dublin City Council, the FAI and all the relevant bodies, Bohs got their house in order a long time before we did, and they were lobbying to get their ground and their history preserved. 

Meanwhile we were kind of scrambling about, going from year to year with no real long term plan. And I still think if we had have bothered to look for alternatives they would have been there. I dont want to dwell on it too long as it’s a subject that gets me angry! 

But could it work?

No, the concept of ground sharing I am not completely opposed to, but it’s the location that is the problem. Bohs have been in that area for over a hundred years. Shelbourne are never going to attract fans in Phibsboro, Cabra, Stoneybatter, and that area, its just not going to happen.

 So where do you think that Shels could go? 

I dont know to be honest.

There is nothing wrong with here (Tolka Park) if they developed it, maybe?

Yeah, Dublin City Council own this ground now, that was the deal, you mentioned the debt earlier, Dublin City Council took over this ground and cleared our debt in the process. I think Dublin City Council could be open to redeveloping this on a smaller scale and maybe knocking down a house or two for housing, I dont know but I think until you explore those options I dont think it does justice to this football club to just say well Dalymount is the only option and that’s the end of that. I think we owe it to the 125 years of this club to explore other options. 

Shelbourne F.C

And anyone coming to see Shelbourne play for the first time, just coming up the road and just walking into this club, what should they expect, what’s it like here?

Well for me it just gets in on you, it’s just an addiction, no matter what’s going on in your life, you could be after losing your job, you could have a bereavement, you could be after breaking up with your missus or whatever and when you come down here and The Reds score a goal, for 10 seconds that doesn’t matter, nothing else in your life matters for that 10 seconds after a goal goes in and that’s just it, there is no way to describe it other than its a drug and you have to keep coming back for more and it’s an addiction.

So are you positive for the future then?

I dont know to be honest, if the move down the road happens then there is no future but if something can be arranged in the meantime whether it is to stay here or to move to a greenfield site or whatever then this football club has massive potential. The only club in this country that has won more trophies is Rovers (Shamrock Rovers) so there is absolutely massive potential in this football club but the people who are running the football club now have a duty, not just a responsibility, a duty to make sure this football club stays alive and thrives and if we move to Dalymount that won’t happen. 

And just before we finish if anyone wants to follow, is there a supporters club that is for Shelbourne or anything we can follow online? 

There is no kind of official supporters club, there is the official club twitter page is @shelsfc, the official facebook page is Shelbourne Football Club, the instagram page is @shelsfc as well, and there are some other unofficial pages as well, there is a Shels fans group on facebook, We’re Not Barcelona page, there are a lot of channels online that they can follow the club, yeah. 

Ok, Thanks very much Aiden, I know the game is on now

Your grand, alright………

Overall

Shelbourne F.C

Good fun on another day out in Dublin, the pints were aflowing, the craic was to be had and the bars and pubs all interesting in their own unique and splendid ways. The game was good fun, decent atmosphere, another great time had in Tolka, will miss the old place when, and if, they do move up the road to Dalymount…………..

 Video of the day out

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Lucerne, Swiss football away days 10

The beautiful city of Lucerne (German: Luzern, French: Lucerne), was to be the next destination on my Swiss football groundhop. The German speaking city, the gateway to central Switzerland as they say, is pretty much smack bang in the middle of the country, with a population just over 81,000 people. Lucerne is the capital of the canton of Lucerne and a nexus of economics, transportation, culture, and media for this region. 

The cities foundations are owed to the Benedictine Monastery of St. Leodegar founded in 750, later acquired by Murbach Abbey in Alsace in the middle of the 9th century, and by this time the area was called Luciaria, later to be known in Latin as Lucerna “lantern”, but why so no one exactly knows. In 1178 the city was independent and doing quite well, with a good economy and a rising population (3000). The Habsburgs, one of the most influential and distinguished royal houses of Europe, looked on and decided they would like a piece of the action. In response the residents of Lucerne along with the cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden formed the Swiss Confederacy, on November 7, 1332 as a bulwark to an attack. Later the cities of Zürich, Zug and Bern joined the alliance, and thus ending the Austrian rulers influence in Switzerland. This resulted in Lucerne expanding even more free from the fear of an attack from outside forces. The city developed its infrastructure, raised taxes, and appointed its own local officials.

Owing to its location on the shores of Lake Lucerne and within sight of the famous mountains of Rigi, Pilatus and Stanserhorn in the Swiss Alps, Lucerne is truly a city with one heck of an amazing setting. Add to this its well-preserved medieval Altstadt (Old Town), its souvenir and watch shops, which are always full of Chinese visitors, the many high quality restaurants and top of the range bars, and beautiful waterfront promenades. the town is for sure a top destination for many travel groups and individuals on their journey through central Switzerland.

One of the city’s famous landmarks is the Chapel Bridge, a wooden bridge first erected in the 14th century, and hard to miss once you exit the train station, but be forewarned it is always bustling with tourists eager to take the best photo of the bridge. Not like anything I would do at all!! Other things to see and visit is the Lion Monument, or Löwendenkmal, found in a small park just off the Löwenplatz. The carving commemorates the hundreds of Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution. The Swiss Museum of Transport is also well worth a visit, a large and comprehensive museum exhibiting all forms of transport, including locomotives, automobiles, ships, and aircraft. It is to be found beside the lake in the northern-eastern section of the city. but generally the best thing to do in Lucerne is just to walk around the lake shore and take in all the breathtaking views. Or you could also take a boat trip on the lake itself. I have done both options numerous times, and it is great for rebalancing the mind and spirit when the fresh mountain air runs through your nostrils and into your body energising you at the same time. Nothing like it. Love it. Love Lucerne. 

Getting to the city is very easy, its central location means it is never too far from Switzerland’s other main cities, either on the motorway or by the extensive rail network in the country.  Roughly 40 minutes by car from Basel, Zurich and Bern, and by rail about an hour from these same three cities, showing just how central Lucerne really is. 

 

Pub watch 

Anfield Pub

Address: Seehofstrasse 7, 6004 Luzern

www.anfield.ch/

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First pub of the day for me was to be the Anfield Pub, not that far from the main bridge of the city,crossing the street and down an alley. The exterior of the pub is pretty bland. I actually walked past it looking for it, I figured owing to its name it might have some red colouring, but no a boring black and grey and easy to pass by. 

Normally I am mad early for these trips but here I was at the bar and it was 1.30 midday and the whole bar was EMPTY!!!! Just me and the two friendly bar ladies. A Saturday, midday, in a pub with live football on the box, empty. Wow, that’s just crazy to me!!!! 

Sat down and ordered an Eichhof beer, a local brew I have tried and liked before. Served quickly (no shit!), from the friendly bar lady, I enjoyed the good pint and took in all the Liverpool themed football memorabilia to which there was a lot, and the bar is quite big. 

They have 21 flat screens on the go all the time, showing round the clock football action, darts and table football if you get too bored with all that, they also do food. It’s a good place I guess if you are looking to watch the football for sure. 

The bar is fine but something must be up if you can’t entice customers in on a Saturday midday, considering all the people just off the main drag around the corner. It is also a bit cheesy as well, calling a bar after the home ground of an English team considering you are in one of the most scenic cities in Switzerland. Use your local history? No connection, just looks silly, in my opinion. 

Anyway pint was good, nice and cold, and service was friendly and fast.

Shamrock Irish Pub

Address: Wagenbachgasse 3, 6004 Lucerne

https://shamrock-luzern.ch/

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Next pub was to be the Shamrock Irish Pub not too far from the Anfield, and the differences in size of crowd and atmosphere was very apparent. Two screens for the football here, not 21, with people eating food, others drinking and chatting, and a bit of a midday atmosphere building up. Takes an Irish pub to show you how it is done!!

Could have went for the usual suspects you can get in an Irish bar, Guinness, Smithwicks, or even a Kilkenny, but wanted to try something different so I went for an ale called a Braufrisch from the Feldschlösschen brewery in Rheinfelden. It looked lovely in the glass, and went down better. Very good beer. 

Sat down, not at the small bar which was full but at a side table, and took in the scenery. Most people were looking at the football, but there were a few Americans across from me eating some grub. Have to say it looked pretty good, and they were happy for sure, fish and chips all round. Must get food in here the next time I am in Lucerne.

Small, cozy, Irish bar with the usual style one expects from these kind of places, bar man was ok, pint was good, all is well and onto the next bar….

 

Pickwick Pub Luzern

Address: Rathausquai 6, 6004 Luzern

www.pickwick.ch

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Again another surprise from one bar to the next. Ventured into Mr Pickwick’s pub, a familiar pub name in Switzerland as this chain is dotted in a few of the nation’s biggest cities. They are British style pubs offering a lot of good beer on tap, with tasty food to boot and football on the TV in the settings of an authentic English pub with added atmosphere. Pub has a great location as it is right on the promenade near the the Chapel Bridge, and offering seating outside with a river view. 

Good crowd building up, and many were kitted out in Dutch regalia, as apparently it was the national day of the Netherlands. Kind of interesting to see. But surely they should be all doping up rather than downing the pints? 

Sat at bar, got a good seat in the front and ordered a “Fursty Ferret“, an interesting amber ale they had on show. Well poured and looked very appetising, dived in and sure enough it was lovely. Well worth the try, so, so tasty and one to look out for again in the future.

Now I have to say the service in the pub was atrocious, and not just to me. Paying for the pint, the bar man barely noted my service, didn’t even look at me, took my money and that was that. But it wasn’t just me, he did it to every customer I saw. And his wife, I take it it was his wife, wasn’t much better. They looked like they had their minds on other things, absolute zero interaction with customers, stiffness and slightly rude. Did something happen previously with the happy but noisey Dutch drinkers? Either Way, it’s nothing to me and every customer should be made to feel welcome in a bar. Are they even British? A fucking joke. If you can’t run a good jovial and happy pub you have no business in this game my friends. Go to the Irish bar and take notes on how it is done!!! Pathetic. 

Found it quite funny to be honest. Amazed on how not run a pub. but still the pint was excellent. Drank up, and out the door I went. 

 

Rathaus Brauerei Luzern

Address: Unter der Egg 2, 6004 Lucerne 

www.rathausbrauerei.ch/

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Next pub wasn’t too far to find as it was right next to Mr. Pickwicks, Rathaus Brauerei also on the promenade near the Chapel Bridge. 

Plenty of seating outside but I went right into the bar, got a seat at the highchair, and ordered one of the Brauerei’s own onsite brews, a Weissbier, not my favourite kind of drink but luckily enough this one was fresh and tasty straight from the tap and tasted so good. Excellent stuff. 

The place was quite busy, and people were not only drinking but eating from the extensive menu on show. Food served looked good coming hot from the kitchen, but I was happy enough with the nourishment I was getting from the beer, going down well. Had a nice chat with a lovely gentleman who was telling me that there is actually a 70-meter long underground line through the Rathaus to the fermentation and storage cellar in nearby Eisengasse, piping the wort through. Cool. The copper brew pans are also on show behind the bar and restaurant and there are lots of cellars to be seen on your travels to the toilets!!

Nice friendly ambience, good efficient service, and a lot of history on show in the old Rathaus. Not surprised to learn the place is a listed building, with the date of the build going back to between 1602 and 1606 in the style of the Italian Renaissance. 

Read after their sausage’s are to die for. Ah well, missed that, next time so………. 

 

Restaurant/Bar St.Magdalena

Address: Eisengasse 5, 6004 Luzern

www.magdalena.ch/

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Had read that the bar called Hard Rock Down Town on Eisengasse street was meant to be a cool enough place to hang out, so had a look and it was closed. A bit annoying as it was the afternoon but anyway a kind man who noticed that I had tried to open the door suggested St.Magdalena as a good place for a drink, a bar two doors down. 

Took his advice and ventured in. Small enough place, really just a tiny circular bar with a few tables and chairs and not much else. Sat at the bar and ordered a Eichhof from the very friendly bar man.

Got chatting to two Lucerne FC supporters, and enjoyed the casual atmosphere in the place, a good friendly vibe to the place, very chilled. Seemed it was made up of mostly locals, which is cool. 

They do food here, but it’s on the small scale here, nothing too pretentious all ordinary ware. 

One major issue is the hard core porn images they have in the toilet. I do wonder why a certain community always need to appeal to the lowest common denominator, it’s not cool or “edgy”, but crass and I can’t for the life of me see what’s the point of it. Anyway judge for yourself, see pic!

 

Oops Cafe Bar

Address: Zentralstrasse 10, 6000 Lucerne

Got a bit lost and tired so popped in here to charge the phone and recharge my own batteries. Nice enough place, kind of a cafe type bar, easy going relaxed atmosphere building, with a nice modern interior. Sat at bar and ordered a Feldschlossen beer, just a regular lager on the tap, served fast and with a nice smile by the friendly bar lady. 

Not much else to say really, a place for a quick pint and that was that really. 

 

Schützenhaus Allmend Luzern

Address: Horwerstrasse 93, 6005 Lucerne

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Followed the music that was coming from afar, it was pumping from the entrance to this bar and restaurant. A DJ was playing some great dance tunes from the 90s and early 2000’s, banging them tunes out. Brilliant.

Food on the barbecue was also on offer, and good beer, Eichhof although in plastic cups, but heh beggars can’t be choosers, right?

The place is situated very close to the football ground, and is the perfect location for a few beers before I head into the arena.

The place is pretty big inside, they do a lot of food and have enough room to pack out a big crowd. I decided to stay outside and have my hot food and beer and enjoy the music from the DJ.  Later I read they do good pizza’s, perhaps next time I am this side of the world.

Liked this bar/restaurant, it had a great atmosphere abulding, the bar man and DJ were very friendly and chatty, and the place was well set up with tarpaulin to shelter us from the rain. Definitely worth a visit if here for a football match, recommended.  

 

FC Luzern

Arena/Stadium: Swissporarena

Location: Horwerstrasse 91, 6005 Luzern

Capacity: 17,000 

Manager: Thomas Häberli

Founded: 1901

League: Swiss Super League

Club home page 

Honours:
Swiss Championships: 1 (1989)
Swiss Cup: 2 (Last 1992)

info@fcl.ch

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Nickname: Die Leuchten (The Luminaries)

Founded in 1901, Fussball-Club Luzern (FCL) play in the Super League, the top tier of the country’s football league system, and have won the Swiss Championship once (1989) and the Swiss Cup twice (1960 and 1992).
The club colours are blue and white, derived from the City of Lucerne and Canton of Lucerne’s coats of arms.

The team is regarded as a bit of a yo-yo club, going up and down every year from relegation to promotion and back again, having done this a record 17 times!!

A club was to be born, called “FC Luzern” and was mentioned in an add in the local paper, the “Luzerner Tagblatt in 1897, in which a meeting was called in the Café Alpenclub for ideas on how to get the ball rolling and start up this team in the city. Owing to a slow initial response it was 4 years before that team came into existence in 1901, initiated by friends Adolf Coulin, Ernst Haag and Hans Walter, with its official launch in the Restaurant Seidenhof, near the train station. Two years later they joined the Swiss FA, starting off in the third highest division. 

They did get to play in the top two divisions over time, and were constantly moving up and down through the leagues. At one stage they were not even the top team in Lucerne as city rival FC Kickers (who still play today at the 5th level of Swiss football!), often gave them a good hiding results wise. A merger between the two clubs went close, rejected by just one vote. Funny how things change in the end!

The club got a professional manager in 1921, Dionys Schönecker from Rapid Vienna of Austria, and his appointment was an instant success as Luzern faced Servette from Geneva in a title decider on 25 June 1922 in Basel. They were unlucky and bowed out 2-0. 

A good few barren years followed that, as from the 30’s right upto the late 50’s nothing too exciting happened at the club, which spent a good portion of that time in the 2nd division with the usual promotion and relegation ups and downs to break up the occasional boredom for the fans. 

Things changed in 1960 when the club finally got its hands on some silverware. Luzern won its first major national trophy by winning the Swiss Cup. The final was played against FC Grenchen and they won 1-0. 

This success did not last long and the club were once again relegated in 1966. Promoted in 1967 was followed by relegation in 1969, promoted in 1970, relegated in 1972, promoted in 1974, once again relegated on in 1975 and finally promoted in 1979. Had their fans any hair left after all that I do wonder!

The clubs golden years were from 1980–1992. During this period they did the impossible and won the Swiss Championship. Friedel Rausch took over as a manager in 1985, and within a few years brought his very unfancied team to the top of the league, sensationally winning the Swiss championship in 1989. Luzern clinched the title race with a 1–0 home win against Servette in front of 24,000 fans. The deciding goal was scored by German striker Jürgen Mohr. They also won the Cup in 1992, beating FC Lugano 3–1 in the Swiss Cup final, under their German manager, but as so common with this club, of course they were also relegated in the same reason! What a club!!!

Afterwards the club did nothing of substance for many years and even skirted with the idea of going out of business as the debts racked up. In 2001, their centenary year, they entered administration and had to be rebranded and repackaged in order to continue, with much thanks to the effort of their supporters who helped financially when the call was put out for help. 

Since then the club have had a good few appearance in the Swiss cup final, but always losing, and finished second in the league in 2011, but with the club nearly going bust in 2001 I guess the supporters are happy to have a few years at the top table in the league, as it certainly beats no football in the city of Lucerne, and with their new stadium, the Swissporarena, they can be happy in the knowledge that at least the clubs foundations are more solid these days, even if success is still far away for the moment at least. 

The club play at home in the Swissporarena which was newly built in 2011, at the cost of EUR €60 million, on the site of the old stadium, Stadion Allmend. The stadium is used mostly for football matches of FC Lucerne, but the Swiss national team use it at least once in every qualifying campaign for the World Cup or Euros. Its capacity is of 16,800 spectators. 

The club is fairly well followed with the 4th highest attendance record in the country (from 11,00 to 14,000), owing to the fact that it is centrally located and can hoover up fans from its surrounding areas. Their main rivals would be SC Kriens, who play in the 2nd division and are about 5 minutes drive away, stadium to stadium. 

Well known players to have played for the club include two time CL winning manager Ottmar Hitzfeld, Swiss stars Alex Frei, Adrian Knup, Hakan Yakin and Kubilay Türkyılmaz, man mountain Ike Shorunmu, a very much underrated goalkeeper, from Nigeria, and Ricardo Costa a solid Defender from Portugal who could always be relied upon at the back. 

To the game

FC Luzern 3 – 1 FC Thun

27.04.2019  • Swissporarena

• Roy Gelmi (OG. 3′)      

• Pascal Schürpf (34′)  

• Marvin Spielmann (Thun 50′)

• Blessing Chibuike Eleke (88′)  

Attendance: 8’064

Getting to the Swissporarena is not so difficult and can be walked to from the city centre, as it is not much more than 2 kilometres south of Luzern’s city centre and main railway station.
The walk from the southern side of Luzern’s city centre takes about 20 minutes.
Alternatively, one can always take the commuter rail (S-Bahn) line S4 or S5 from the main railway station, and get off at stop Luzern Allmend / Messe, which is right at the arena.
Another option is bus 20 from the main railway station or the Bundesplatz in the direction of Technikumstrasse. Get off at stop Allmend/Messe. Buses go four times an hour, the ride takes about 8 minutes.

Tickets for FC Luzern matches can be bought online, at the Fanshop at the stadium, or at the Neue Luzerner Zeitung at the Pilatusstrasse 12 (about 200 metres from the main railway station). Don’t worry about not getting a ticket, as so often with Swiss football, Luzern will only sell out at the very odd high-profile match.
Ticket prices range from CHF 28.00 for the standing area, to CHF 33.00 for a seat in one of the corners, and CHF 100.00 for one at the main stand (if you are loaded!).

The ground itself is all modern and kind of funny looking, with golden looking stands formed all round, it’s kind of shit looking to be honest. Not the most attractive stadium I have ever seen for sure. Inside it looks a little better, all seats decked out in the club colours of blue. 

Wasn’t long in settling down to my seat when Luzern went one nil up with an own goal headed in by Thun player Roy Gelmi after about 3 minutes on the clock. From a long throw in, he couldn’t avoid the ball connecting with his head as the penalty box was quite crowded at the time. Unlucky for him but a good start to the home team.

Thun had a goal correctly disallowed for offside, and then not long after Luzern get their second when Pascal Schürpf took a shot from outside the box that somehow went in. From such a distance and with not that much pace, the Thun goalkeeper could have done a little better in his effort to save it, I think!! But I should give him the benefit of been unsighted and it was bucketing down with rain. Good build up play from Eleke to the goal, to add. 

Not long after the second half got underway Thun were right back in it with a well taken goal by Marvin Spielmann, rifling it into the net. Nice one, game on. Now at this stage a lot of the fans were further retreating back into the stands due to how bad the weather was. It was near torrential at this stage, making it hard to stay focused on the game, for us the supporters never mind what it was like for the players to kick the ball around the soggy pitch!!

After that not a whole lot happened to be fair with many of the fans just wishing that the game could go quickly as the rain was making everyone pretty miserable. Blessing Chibuike Eleke scored near the end, a real cracker, took the defender on, feigned and shot from his left in the far corner. Excellent goal to top off a real good performance from the player who looked dangerous anytime he had the ball. 

Overall, good game but the conditions were so bad that to be honest I wouldn’t say this was a very enjoyable match day experience for me. The Luzern fans were fine and the stadium is ok, the pre match atmosphere was very good, and it was easy to find my seat and all but man it was one wet evening!! Totally soaked as I made my way home…..

Highlights of the game here.

 

Overall

Lucerne is a great city, just so pretty and has plenty of good drinking establishments, and other touristy things to do! The ground was fine, I especially enjoyed the pre match entertainment outside, and the footballing experience was ok. But perhaps next time I will pick a day when there is not so much rain! I know I am from ireland, but that doesnt mean I enjoy standing in showers and getting wet. Next time I will visit FC Luzern during the summer!

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St Pats, football away days

My football day trip this time was to be a little different. Rather than head straight to the pub for a day of drinking and having the craic and then finish it off with some football, this time I was to shake the day up a bit by including some more cultural and creative pursuits. Some might argue isn’t football high art in itself, but anyway this time round I was to take a nice walking tour in Phibsborough, then head across the city to Darndale to take in some great art, and then to finish it off with some football at Richmond Park, the stadium of light, home of St Patrick’s Athletic, not before I had a chat with local musician and keyboard wizard, Tommy Keyes. Art, music, storytelling, football and the odd pint, who says my life is boring!

St Pats, football away daysSt Patrick’s Athletic Football Club are based in the Dublin suburb of Inchicore (Irish: Inse Chór, meaning “Island of Sheep”), located about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) west of the city centre, easily accessible by the Luas from O’Connell street. 

Inchicore, by the Grand Canal, grew from a small village evolving in time as a gateway for trade into Dublin city, then as a significant industrial and residential suburb, with the Irish railway network having a hub here always providing opportunities. 

Inchicore, with a population of about 2400, still has a small village atmosphere. The area includes a variety of local stores including a butcher/deli, hardware, ethnic stores, and two mid-size supermarkets, not to forget there are several pubs, including the ancient Black Lion Inn, and several restaurants and takeaways. A brewery has also opened in the area. Add in the main Church and you have everything you might need in an Irish town! (Oh yeah, the football club too!!)

My Streets Dublin

While I was thinking of what I could do for the day out in Dublin I came across a new walking tour that was been introduced in the city, called My Streets, Ireland. What was different about this tour was that it was done by people who have lived on the streets of the capital, homeless people giving tours and telling their unique stories. So I signed up and on the day I was lucky to get a tour off Eddie who was showing a few of us around the streets of Phibsboro, North Dublin. I also got chatting to Austin Campbell, one of the people behind the exciting new venture.

Phibsboro, is a mixed commercial and residential neighbourhood in North Dublin hugging the The Royal Canal. A typical red-brick terrace area, with the odd Victorian style looking pub and the always busy Doyle’s Corner thoroughfare. Easily reachable by the new Luas Cross City Line network, or if you are mad, one could, of course, walk from O’Connell Street which can take you about 30 minutes or less.

It would be amiss of me not to mention, just about now, my football away days trip to local Phibsboro football club, Bohemians F.C. Read all about it here

I was well impressed with Eddie, a nice young man who has turned his life around and the tour was very informative. This was a tour that didn’t so much concentrate on the sights of the city but more on the personal stories of its people. Eddie talked about his rough upbringing, why he was on the streets, and the ins and outs of life as a homeless person. It was really a great way to spend an hour and I strongly recommend it to anyone who is looking for something a little different in a tour. It certainly brought me into a world I don’t often think about, which was good.

I think what Austin and My Streets Ireland are doing is great, giving homeless people opportunities and also it’s a way of them contributing to the community. I will definitely be back on one of their tours the next time I am in Dublin as Austin mentioned they have plans for a Brendan Behan tour and a tour on Dublin’s street markets (a la Moore street for example), which both sound interesting, on top of the other tours they offer, Eddies one which I took ( ‘Eddie’s Experiences of Homelessness’ ) and a Viking special.

Anyway so here is my quick chat with eddie, Enjoy!

My Streets Ireland: Tours are offered 7 days a week and can be booked by private messaging on the My Streets facebook page, by emailing or by phone.
Tours are charged at a price of €10 per person.

https://www.facebook.com/StreetsTours/

http://www.mystreetsireland.com/

 

Dublin artist Immanuel Godson

The second part of my big adventure on my day out in Dublin was to head over the famous, Darndale, the edge of nowhere as they say, to meet the one and only Immanuel godson, an amazing Northside artist and painter who creates works in a classic and realistic style spruced up with a good healthy dose of modern day humour and satire. It was actually good to see that, like Eddies homeless tour in the morning, Immanuel has also been integrated into his community, an artist of the people for the people.

Darndale (Irish: Darndál meaning ”daffodil”) is an area on the Northside of Dublin, featuring a high concentration of social housing. It is located in the north of the sprawling suburb of Coolock. Got the bus from Busaras, takes about 40 minutes. 

Immanuel was kind enough to show me round his gallery and explain some of the ideas behind his art. I also had a great chat with Immanuel about his work, and some of his opinions on the modern day art scene.

Would also like to mention how cool the Darndale Belcamp Village Centre is, it really is one tranquil place where anyone from the community can go in, embrace all the great art on display and relax in their thoughts and moods. And it isn’t just Immanuel’s art that is exhibited, a good few other local talents have their work highlighted and laid out around the building. An excellent resource for the local people, hats off to whoever keeps it going. 

Check out Immanuel’s youtube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwBlnaHTmRrWbp_sFsYOSYQ

And his Gab Account

https://gab.com/immanuel1974

Anyway so here is my video with immanuel, Enjoy!

Pub watch 

Doyles Corner

Address: 160/161 Phibsborough Rd, Phibsborough, Dublin 7

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After Eddies great tour we needed a quick pint and a quick rest of the old legs before we embarked on our journey across town. Plenty of good boozers in Phibsboro,  but we decided to head to Doyles Corner, an iconic landmark in this part of town.

Here for over a 100 years, it is a pub steeped in the fabric of the local community. I have drank in this place before, as it is a stone’s throw from Bohemians FC ground, Dalymount Park, and it is also not too far from Croke Park, the Gah ground. So on match day, be it football, bogball, or stick fighting (ancient Irish sports), it is always busy. 

Well to say we were amazed is an understatement. We actually had to check if we were in the right bar, I say this as the whole place got a total revamp inside, and looks totally different. It has got a very stylish and fancy new makeover. It really is a great design, and who ever is the interior decorator deserves a big cheer. There is a bit of everything in it really, some art deco, has nice wooden snugs, cool peasants on displays, dead and stuffed of course, the visit to the bogs bring you on an old disco style journey with big pop art in the toilets. Now I know this all sounds like a bit of a mess but somehow it all works perfectly together. Of course for me the best bit is behind the bar, looking at all the various whiskeys and liquor on display, 

We were the only two at the bar early morning, so still quiet. They have a good selection of beers on tap but went for Franciscan Well’s Rebel Red Ale, from Cork. Bar lady was friendly and served the beer perfectly in no time. Also got some Keoghs mature Irish crisps, very nice too, so good went back for another bag! As we were looking at all the beers, booze and alcohol on display Pogues Irish Whiskey caught our eye, and sure we just had to have a taste of this! Got a shot of it, was smooth enough, and gave us that little kick we need to continue on our journey across Dublin.

Doyles is looking fantastic and will be here again no doubt about it the next time I’m this side of Dublin, so much to see, so many interesting beers to try out, great setting, friendly staff, and a good effort all round. Next time I should try some of their food as I’d guess they have a great menu too!

Graingers Bar

Address: 51 Talbot Street, Dublin, Ireland

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Back again in Graingers Bar. We got a taxi back from Darndale to the city, and rather than try out a new bar we went with what we know, Graingers. We were hungry and in need of some good grub, so we knew what we would get in this bar………delicious food at a decent price, with a good pint too boot. 

Near both the national bus and train Station this bar always has good food on offer. Great friendly service and a good way to recharge the batteries and fill the belly.  Ordered a new beer, a Cute Hoor, an Irish pale ale, from Cork I think, but operated by Heineken, was pretty good though, very nice. Also the fish and chips ordered did the business.

One of my favourite bars for a quiet pint and some food. Recommended, as always!

Mcdowells Pub 

Address: 139 Emmet Rd, Inchicore, Kilmainham, Dublin, Ireland

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Arrived in Inchicore, and really there is only one pub to go for a quick pre match scoop and that is Mcdowells Pub, smack bang wallop right beside the football ground! The club actually own this pub, they bought it to reassure fans who were worried that the club might up sticks and move. It’s a nod to the fans that the club is determined to stay in the area, and it’s also a good money making venture too! Having a pint in this pub is not only a pleasurable experience as you mingle with the fans, but it’s good to know you are also helping the coffers of the club with your purchase.

Place was busy, as to be expected with a pre match crowd, ordered a Heineken, and a packet of Tayto Salt and Vinegar, that’s the lunch sorted. Pint served fast and efficiently from the friendly bar man. 

Good bar as there is a good bit of Pats football memorabilia dotted around, and the atmosphere was building up. Love this bar, it’s only a pity though that they can not somehow have it set up that punters can return at half time for a few more pints. Perhaps knock down a wall out the back???

Quick pint, and even quicker walk, straight out the door and right down the short alley to the turnstile to the game. As easy as that. One, two, three……..

Beresford Hotel 

Address: 21 Store St, North Dock, Dublin

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Had one final pint just before we got the last bus home. Right across from Connolly Train Station, and near the Luas stop and Busaras bus terminal, is the Beresford Hotel with a bar on show. Looks like it was open for business and had a few souls inside, so we ventured in. 

The Beresford is a 3 star hotel, with a top restaurant with an Italian menu but also offering Irish style breakfasts, anad a cafe bar with a top notch bar and lounge offering a wide array of drinks.

Seen that this new lager called Rockshore was popular so I decided to try it out. And boy was that a good decision as it was lovely, cold and crisp, what a fine pint to finish the day with. Lovely. 

Barman was friendly and efficient, the interior was good, nice and comfy sitting at the bar, and the place was quiet enough to have the chat and digest the day we had. A very good place to have a quick pint before getting the train or bus home. 

St Patrick’s Athletic F.C.

Founded: 1929

Arena/Stadium: Richmond Park,

Location: 125 Emmet Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8

Capacity: 5,340 (2,800 seated)

Manager: Harry Kenny

Leagues: League of Ireland Premier Division

Honours
League of Ireland/Premier Division: 8 (Last 2013)
 FAI Cup: 3 (Last 2014)

Club home page 

info@stpatsfc.com

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Nicknames: Pats, The Saints, The Super Saints

St Patrick’s Athletic F.C. is a football club based in Inchicore, Dublin, that plays in the Irish Premier Division. Founded in May 1929, they originally played in the Phoenix Park but now play in Richmond Park since 1930. 

Currently managed by Harry Kenny, the club play in red and white, and have won nine (or eight depending who you talk to!) league titles, and three FAI Cups. The club’s glory years came in the 1950s and 1990s when they won 7 of their 9 league titles. The club also have the record for never having been relegated from the Premier Division. Rivals could be said to be any of the other Dublin teams with the likes of Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians to choose from.

The club started off playing in the Leinster Senior League before taking their place in the League of Ireland in 1951, winning the Championship at their first attempt, with striker Shay Gibbons banging in the goals (LOI top scorer for three seasons in the 50’s). They had won the Leinster Senior league on numerous occasions, so perhaps winning the national league wasn’t such a big surprise. Two more league championship successes followed in 1954–55 and 1955–56, while in 1959 they achieved their first Cup success, beating Waterford 2-1 in a replay. Another Cup win came in 1961, beating Drumcondra 2-1, in an all Dublin final. Who would have guessed it would have taken 53 years for their next FAI Cup win! (2014).

The next few decades, from the swinging ’60s right upto the drab 80’s, were pretty forgetful years for Pats fans. No trophies in a long barren spell for the club. Paul McGrath did appear though, earning the PFAI Players player of the year in 1982, for his very brief time at the club, before been whisked off to Manchester United. Even shorter, much shorter in fact, was the one appearance for St Pats, by World Cup legend Gordon Banks! At the time British stars used to come over to Ireland for play for pay games. Invaraibly they were always shite as they were well at the end of their careers. Terry Venables was another who came over, in the 80’s.

Fortunes began to change when Brian Kerr took control of the managerial reigns in 1986. Working on a tight budget the manager got the team to win the LOI Championship title in the 1989-1990 season, their first for 34 years! He did unearth a few gems, Paul Osam, Curtis Fleming, Pat Fenlon, John McDonnell, and things looked rosy for the club. 

But as so often in Irish football, the highs are always followed closely by the lows. The club was thrown into chaos when a takeover bid failed badly, leaving the club hours away from extinction before a group of local investors raised £82,000 to save the club. Phew!

Brian Kerr, wearing the club badge on his sleeve, as always, stepped up to help his club out when they needed him most for the gigantic task of rebuilding a winning team that was shot to pieces in months, with so many players leaving in the havoc surrounding the survival of the club.  But as so often with Keer, he worked the oracle and once again created a winning championship team at St Pats with the league trophy returning to Richmond Park in 1996. The winning squad made up of such Pats legends as Eddie Gormley, Paul Osam and Ricky O’Flaherty together with exciting young stars such as Colin Hawkins and Trevor Molloy.

When Kerr resigned to take up the Director of Coaching job with the FAI, the good work was continued by Pat Dolan and then Liam Buckley installed as manager, with further championships in 1998 and 1999. The less said about the 10–0 aggregate loss to Zimbru Chişinău in the CL the better, the only real blight on Buckleys time at Pats!

In 2002 there was a League Championship title win that was not valid. The tile was given to Shelbourne as St Pats were given a 15 points deduction for playing an unregistered player for the first 5 games of the season. Some Pats fans count this in their title wins and you might see 9 instead of 8 Championships, so be warned!

In 2005 there were talks of a ground share plan in Tallaght with Dublin rivals, Shamrock Rovers. Obviously this was anathema to the supporters who fiercely resisted the move. In july 2006, the fans helped pressure the club to buy the Richmond House pub (also known as McDowell’s) for use as an official clubhouse, to show that they listened to the fans concerns and show their grounding in the local community. 

Fast forward to 2012 and the return of Liam Buckley, former player and manager, for another stint in the hot seat. A clearout of the old team and bringing in 14 new players, Buckley was showing his serious ambitions on rebuilding a team to compete for the championship again. he did bring in some real star quality to the club, Chris Forrester, Christy Fagan, and Ger O’Brien, all becoming fans favourites in no time at all. Buckley’s side finished 3rd in the league, 6 points off champions Sligo Rovers. and he also guided his side to the 2012 FAI Cup Final, but they lost out 3–2 in extra-time to Derry City further extending the Saints’ FAI Cup winning drought to 52 years. Improvements were seen and the fans were happy, safe in the knowledge that good days were just around the corner. Killian Brennan and Conan Byrne arrived, further strengthening an already very decent side, and sure enough in 2013 they clinched the League of Ireland title on after a 2–0 win against holders Sligo Rovers with two games to spare. Brennan getting PFAI player of the year for his efforts. 

In 2013 they finally got the monkey off their back and won the cup for the first time in 53 long years. beating Derry City 2–0 with Christy Fagan immortalising himself with the club’s fans by scoring twice. He was also the clubs top scorer that season in the league and also voted PFAI player of the year. Not a bad season by all accounts!

Upto the present day, they have got Harry Kenny managing them, an ex assistant manager now taking the number one role, having showed some promise as a manager when in charge of Bray Wanderers.  Started the season with a cracker, beating Cork City at home, but since then the team have had a stop start season, winning games they were not expected to do so well and losing or drawing games they should have won. Some rumblings from the fans but I think a new man in charge needs at least a season to bed in his football philosophy. So let’s see…..

Pats have always put on a bit of a show in European football though. They have had some misadventures for sure (as mentioned), but on a few occasions they have got through numerous rounds in the Europa League, beating some decent teams along the way. In 2008–09 St. Pat’s progressed through two rounds of the UEFA Cup by beating JFK Olimps Riga and Elfsborg before losing to Hertha BSC, 0-2 on agg, in the First Round proper. In 2009, they did the same, two rounds of progression, Pat’s this time won games against Valletta FC and Russian Premier League side Krylia Sovetov to reach the play-off round where they were defeated by FC Steaua București, 1-5 on agg.. In 2011, again the same, knocking out Íþróttabandalag Vestmannaeyja from Iceland and FC Shakhter Karagandy from Kazakhstan before eventually being knocked out in the third qualifying round by Ukrainian side FC Karpaty Lviv, 1-5 on agg..

In 2012 Buckley took the reins of the club knowing of the European expectations at the club and once again didn’t disappoint, knocking both Íþróttabandalag Vestmannaeyja of iceland (a game I was at!) and NK Široki Brijeg out after extra-time, to earn a tie with German powerhouse Hannover 96, who knocked the Saints out in the third qualifying round. In 2016 the Saints knocked Jeunesse Esch of Luxembourg out of the UEFA Europa League on away goals before being narrowly beaten 2–1 on aggregate to Dinamo Minsk of Belarus in the second qualifying round, in a game truth be told they should have really won. Overall, generally Pats perform decent enough in Europe, and are one of the few LOI teams where fans can regal newcomers about “glory European adventures down Richmond way”, always when it’s raining though!! 

Notable ex-players who have donned the Pats shirt in the past include Ireland internationals Keith Fahey, Curtis Fleming, and “The Black Pearl of Inchicore”, the legend that is Paul Mcgrath, one of the best defenders I have ever seen, no doubt about it. Other top players include Joseph N’Do, Ryan Guy, Charles Mbabazi Livingstone, Gordon Banks, Eddie Gormley, and Paul Osam who hold the all time appearances record for the club (308).

The club play out of Richmond Park in the suburb of Inchicore. The area where the ground now stands was formerly used as a recreational area by the British Army, who were stationed at the nearby Richmond Barracks, named after Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond hence the name Richmond Park. Getting to Richmond is dead easy. One can take a bus, bus numbers 68, 68a, 69 and 79 all can take you near or near enough to the ground from the city centre, but the best and easiest way to Richmond is by taking the tram. Get on the Red Luas line to Saggart/Tallaght from the city centre, getting off at Goldenbridge stop. From there, cross the canal, veer left and continue down Connolly Avenue towards Emmet Road. Simples!

St Pats, although a small club they do have a strong link up with their surroundings and the local south west Dublin community. When visiting Richmond one can definitely feel a close bond from the supporters towards the club. The Shed End Invincibles are the “ultra” group associated with the team. They no doubt bring a great atmosphere to the ground, always having some sort of fan display on show, sing throughout and are one of the better fan groups in the LOI. They really play a big part in making a trip to Richmond a highlight, for me at least. 

To the game

St Patrick’s Athletic 1 – Dundalk 0 

05.04.2019 Richmond Park 

45’ Own goal

Attendance: 1878

Despite it piddling down for most, if not all, of the game, I barely noticed that I was totally drenched, such was the excitement on offer at Richmond Park. Ok parts of the game were a little pedestrian, but for what St Pats lacked in skill they more than made up for it with steely determination and heart. 

Dundalk, the Champions, looked a bit lively at the start and one was thinking it was only a matter of time before they would score. But then as the game went on, the Pats players became more confident, with Rhys McCabe working his socks off, popping up all over the pitch, harrying players for the ball, pinning passes left to right, and generally been a pain in the ass for the Dundalk back four. An excellent performance from Rhys McCabe, what a pleasure to see such skill on show in our league. 

Was right in view of the penalty box when the Pats had a clear penalty shout waved away by the ref, but it no doubt hit the Dundalk defender and God only knows what the hell the linesman was doing as he also had a clear view of the incident. He took a good bit of ribbing from the Pats fans after that terrible error. I dont know, refs and linesmen…..a different breed! Ha.

Sure enough the goal came via McCabe, who floated a swinging cross into the box only for  Daniel Cleary to somehow slide it into his own goal, one nil to the home team just before half time. 

In the second half both teams had chances to score, but it seemed that the Pats midfield were bossing it, with the team home totally neutralising the Dundalk threat. That was until the last 10 minutes or so, with about 5 minutes of added time, when the Pats players naturally whilted with all the effort they put in, Dundalk put the foot on the gas and there was a lot of last man defending as Dundalk kept plugging away for the equaliser.

Hoban had a glorious chance to level in the end, but the Gods were looking down on Pats, as he shot wide. The divine would only support the Saints, surely! The whole ground let out a collective sigh of relief at the final whistle, and then the cheers began, beating the champions at home, great. 

It would be totally unfair of me not to mention that the Pats back four were immense. It was them and their stout heroic defending that made Dundalk look so flat. They played as a coherent unit at the back and for most of the game had everything in control, playing with confidence from the back. Great performance form the Pats defence. 

I dont quite know how Pats have been losing before and after this game, consistently dropping points every few games, as on this performance they have a great team and should really be doing slightly better than mid table where they are at the moment. Would give the benefit of doubt to the manager, Harry Kenny, as sometimes it takes a while to stamp your authority and game plan on a squad in your first year as the gaffer. But let’s see, as I feel pats have the makings of a good team here. (But I am a bit biased to be honest as I always love visiting Richmond and so have a soft spot for Pats)

Highlights of the game here

Interview

Had the pleasure of having a short chat with long time Super Saints fan, Tommy Keyes.  

Tommy is a Singer-Songwriter. In between a long stint as a top civil servant with the government, Tommy was a member of Irish rock band Sidewinder in the 1970s, and is now back, after a “break” of 40 years, in the profession he loves the most, wannabe rock star and keyboard extraordinaire, writing songs, making albums and performing on stage with his new band. 

He has released four albums to date, all recorded in Sun Studios at Temple Lane, with some of Ireland’s top session musicians. The albums are An Irish Life, The Sad Pursuit, Some of These Stories are True, and his most recent offering, his fourth album, Temptation Once Again. An Irish life was very well received by both the critics and the public, while the song “Christmas Eve in Dublin”, a track off his latest album reached the top of the Irish singer/songwriter charts on iTunes, with the album overall getting a very healthy score of 8/10 from the Irish music mag, Hot Press, an Irish version of Rolling Stone. 

I’m Tommy Keyes, singer songwriter, recording artist and given Rob’s (me!) particular interest in football as well, I’m also very heavily involved in St. Patrick’s athletic football club and that’s where we are tonight doing this interview.

With the song Richmond nights, the start of the song……….”Hand in hand, the boy and man walk to the terraced shed, find some space and take their place among the sea of red” so……….

Yeah that song is about 3 generations. I mean my dad first brought me here, we are in Richmond park, my dad first brought me here maybe when we were 11 or 12 and then I brought my kids as soon as they were old enough to turn them into League of Ireland supporters as well. I don’t have any grandchildren yet but the song is kind of looking ahead to when you know and it’s most likely be my daughter, as my eldest daughter is very heavily involved now in the club as well, when she will have someone to bring along, and it’s the way the love of a football club, and the love of supporting the club, gets passed on from generation to generation, it’s a very, very special thing.

I think St.Pats is, I don’t know like I have seen a few of the other teams in Dublin, but I think St Pats are slightly different to maybe Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians, is more rooted within its area, its family, it’s more community based I think?

Its very rooted in the community here in Inchicore, about 10 or 12 years ago, when, 13 years ago, when the new owner Garrett Kelleher bought the club, a lot of people were telling him that the sensible thing was to, to sell up the ground here, move out to Tallaght which was been developed at that stage, share the ground with Shamrock Rovers, and he very quickly realized that if you did that you would kill the club because the club is absolutely rooted in the community here. Not just Inchicore but the areas around it, West Dublin, its of this place and we couldn’t move so he quickly said no the club is never moving from here.

And is it hard to get people out these days to follow the League of Ireland?

It’s very hard because any night of the week…..I mean we are here Friday night and we are playing Dundalk, who are the best team in the country so this should be a massive match but Liverpool are on television tonight so we are definitely going to lose supporters to that but the one thing I will say is that there seems to be a bit of a resurgence since the start of this season, we have had very good gates for home matches, Bohemians, our last away match was in Bohemians away last week, they sold out. We sold out for our last match here against Shamrock Rovers, we had to turn people away …….you know we are talking here about you know……4,300, 4,400, we are not talking about massive gates, but you know things are improving, but I mean the quality of the football is extremely good and you can shout at the television as much as you like it’s not the same as shouting at players who can hear you………….and referees who can hear you…..

Attendances are up this season……….

Definitely

Is there a reason for that, I mean for this season especially…….?

A lot of the clubs including ourselves did some very, very good promotion videos that went viral on YouTube and all that type of thing, maybe people have a bit more money in their pocket, the quality of the football is very good, I mean a lot of the time what we are trying to do is to get people to bring their friends to a match or two, because we know that if they see how good the product is, the entertainment is, they will come again.

And since you have been following them what was the highlight season for you?

Well….I have been following them 50 years, we have won the league 6 times in that period, but I think nothing really can beat winning the FAI cup in 2014, in the Aviva because that was the hoodoo that was hanging over this club, you know, 7 cup finals, we won the cup back in I think about 61, and after that we were in 7 cup finals and we lost every single one of them.  And like some of them were so close, Shelbourne went to a replay, Derry went to extra time, we lost, 7 in a row we lost, so there was this jinx hanging over us, we are never going to win the cup, even though we won 6 leagues in the same period, and we beat Derry 2-0 in the Aviva in 2014 and that was really, really special.

https://youtu.be/YLwzH42S2tQ

Did you drink for a week after that!?

Ah, no comment on that!

And there has been some special European nights here as well. Once we get beyond a certain stage in Europe we have to move to Tallaght or whatever,  and it’s never as good,  but when this place is packed for a European night you know, we played Elfsborg from Sweden and we were losing on aggregate with about 5 minutes to go, we just needed a goal to win on away goals, we got the goal and then we got another goal, and that was just a massive, massive night.

https://youtu.be/rgcAHb4dhw8

Well cult heroes I mean then, its Paul McGrath……..

Every generation brings it cults heroes, I mean we have a lad at the club at the moment Ian Birmingham, the captain, it’s his testimonial year this year, 10th successive season, and that’s 10 seasons always been in the first team, you rarely get that in League of Ireland football now.

But you know, people like Paul Osam, Eddie Gormley, Curtis Fleming, and people older than me will talk about people like Ginger O’Rourke, and Timber Cummins and people like these fellas back in the 50’s so its generation to generation.

There is a kid here at the moment called Jamie Lennon, you will see him tonight, he is a defensive midfielder,  came on as a sub for the Ireland under 21’s in tallaght there last Sunday week, you know he is a star of the future.

Chris Forrester is back, Chris has had a disastrous year, he was doing really well at Peterborough and then it kind of went off the boil, they sold him to Aberdeen and that didn’t work out at all, so he is home now, and he hasn’t played very much football in the last year so he is only  finding his feet again, when he finds his feet he is going to be massive, he was one of the legends here……….

So what should I expect tonight in terms of atmosphere…?

The atmosphere will be good, we are on a bad roll because the team hasn’t quite gelled with the new signings, Dundalk are the best team in the country, notwithstanding that Shamrock Rovers might be top of the table at the moment, so we are very much up against it, if we get anything out of the game tonight that would be good.

Then with regards music Tommy, so how is the music going for you these days?

The music is going very well, I was working in a completely different….I was working away from music for nearly 40 years because in the 70s I had been in bands, and so on, and I was the main songwriter in the bands that I was in, and then I was away from music for 40 years because I had a different career and it just didn’t leave any room for music, but I retired from that in 2015 and went straight into the studio and recorded stuff, started doing albums, getting back gigging, looking around for singer songwriter sessions…….I’m not really interested in going into pubs doing covers,

You do your own songs…

I do my own stuff and there are, particularly around Dublin, there are places where you can go and play your own material and I ended up landing on my feet really, because I got involved with a pub in Dublin called Darkie Kelly’s, which has singer songwriter night on Tuesdays, and I started playing that and then they asked me to host it and then they asked me to run it and so I run that session now, and I get to do quite a few original songs, and every Tuesday night and we usually have 9 or 10 other singer songwriters who all perform and then we have a big jam at the end, and I do a thing then in the same place, an idea came up with myself last year called the Sunday Song Brunch where twice a month we have half 12 until 3 o’clock sessions on a Sunday where we have much the same thing. And the nice thing about that is our musicians because during the day, musicians who have young kids, the kids maybe never seen daddy or mammy play so they can bring them in, so that’s nice as well.

I’m very content, 4th album, Temptation Once Again, came out in November, has done really well, got really nice reviews for it, getting a good bit of radio play, I’m never going to make money out of this but it doesn’t matter I just want my original songs out there

But you get your own audience online……..

That’s exactly it, that’s exactly it.

Does the football feed off it, when you are standing on the terraces on a cold wet night, does inspiration hit you………

Well I don’t know about that. but the first thing is I look around the ground as you will do this evening and behind each goal I will see a big billboard Tommy Keyes, that I decided I was going to put a little bit of money into promotion so St pats might as well have it…….so every time that Soccer Republic (TV Show) is on or whatever it is called now, if they are showing any goals from Richmond Park, just a quick little subliminal add that catches everyone for Tommy Keyes, which is good.

Which would be better, the buzz from a live performance, you are playing in front of people, or a goal tonight, is there…………

They are both brilliant……. that’s like saying you can only keep one of your kids……..which one would you give up, you couldn’t really choose between those………….

You said you were with Sidewinder back in the day…..

In the 70’s………….

Yeah, is there much of a difference between then and these times?

Yeah well first of all, big difference personally because I was just the keyboard player in the band I was never the front man, now it’s me, I’m Tommy Keyes, sometimes I play with a band, but it would be the band I put together myself and so on…………so it is different……

And the other big difference is now, and this is why I said I feel very sorry for young musicians now, in those days you could actually make money doing it, you know….the gigs all paid, there were big crowds and all that type of thing, and if you brought out an album or single people would buy it, now the venues generally don’t pay, or pay very, very little, and everyone downloads the albums, singles, or streams them whatever, I mean if you hear everything you want to hear on Spotify, why are you going to buy things, and that’s the problem. So, in terms of it been a money-making proposition it is very difficult.

But you are more catered to your audience I think due to YouTube and social media; you can go direct to your audience.

Absolutely, you can target them in that way.

Ok Tommy, just with regards to tonight’s game, any predictions on the game ………….

Mmmm………my head says we will lose, and my heart says a one all draw.

I think they lost in the cup there (To Dundalk) ……….

We played them in the League Cup on Monday, 2-1 defeat, yeah

But that was the second team maybe?

Well yeah both teams were under strength for the game you know.

Our problem this season is scoring goals, and our striker, Mikey Drennan is the only player who has scored so far this season and unfortunately, he got sent off against Bohemians last week so he is suspended so that doesn’t help. Gary Shaw is playing up front

Ok so it might be a one nil then, a narrow one nil then

I will take that now

Ninetieth minute

I will take that now.

Ok thanks very much……………….

(Game ended one nil to St Pats!)

Follow Tommy Keyes

http://www.tommykeyes.com/

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I did a short and brief review of two of Tommy’s albums. I am not a great music reviewer, maybe not even a good beer reviewer, but I gave it a try. 

An Irish Life: Tommy Keyes (2016)

This album is Tommy reminiscing about the olden days, the time he was growing up as a wee lad, the teenage years of angst and rock music, gigging around the country, the monotony of a working stiff, and the equal pleasures and sadness of seeing his daughters grow up and then leave home. Basically it’s the story of Tommy’s life in music, and in poetic form sang with passion and feeling. The soundtrack to his life in all its glory and wonder, just like the lives of his fellow compatriots, a life not too separated from what so many were going through in Ireland at the time, an Irish life we all know so well. 

The album is cleverly set up into 4 parts: Spring, Summer, Autumn and, finishing with, Christmas. Showing the various stages of life in music form, hot stepping it as a young nipper in spring, football in the summer, sad reflections in autumn, and get togethers around the family tree at Christmas. 

From the beginning we are brought into the life of a dreamer, “I was there” is the first track, taking us back to the days of late night clubs and old gigs, the craic was great and the fun Tommy had………..”Those were crazy days, I know cause I was there”, all played out to the beat of an old style light rock tempo just like what was heard back in the day. Great start, sets us up nicely, gets us in the mood…………

“Happy days” is another cracker of a tune, love it. This time Tommy goes back even further, to the excitement he had as a young nipper acting out make believe scenes as a cowboy, football superstar, or 007, like we all did when we were kids. Happy days indeed. “In our field of dreams we’ll be football teams, we’ll take to the pitch in the green shirt of Ireland, win every match on the way to the final”. Great, makes me wonder do the young ones these days, what with their Iphone and Ipads, have the same amount of fun we had when we were young, somehow I doubt it. The backing vocals on this track provided by Ellen and Cian O’Mahoney are excellent, and what makes the song stand out. There is also a nice guitar solo, from Dick Farrelly, midway through the track, just to remind you of Tommy’s rock credentials! 

The soft rock and easy listening continues with the next tune, “Landscape Park”, again about childhood memories, again about football in the park, “Kick a football until dark”. Something tells me Tommy, was a keen footballer and perhaps music was not his first love!

“SmallTown Superstars”, track 4, goes off on a little tangent, more of a country twang to this song, pretty upbeat and chirpy, and another guitar solo from Mr Dick Farrelly, perhaps highlighting the mix of the showband and the new music coming from across the water, “We were children of the 50’s, we grow up with rock n roll”, before Tommy and his mates had a band themselves and while making all the local newspapers, they “were small town superstars”, for a while at least living the dream. 

After the upbeat start Tommy slows it down a bit for the next few songs, a more soulful, more soothing collection of memories. “In Dublin” is about emigration, a subject I think most Irish people are only too well aware of, “We’re climbing slowly in the sky, never look behind, leaving on our own, America, Australia, we’re never coming home!”, while “Long Distance Call” is another reminder of the ways things were pre internet or pre skype when calling from afar. A call home, to loved ones, “On Bondi Beach on Christmas day the sky is clear, I just called to say I’m fine”. The backing vocals create an air of sadness and shows how distance does indeed make the heart grow fonder.  

Tommy’s life has settled down as shown in the next few tracks, as a working man in “Sleep She Said“, a “cog in the wheel in a lifetime of service, when morning comes I do it all again!”, all played out with a lovely melody on the guitar. He has grown up and now has a young child, “My Little Girl, it is a “Slowdown world for me and my girl”. track 8, mid life, mid album.  

We then move onto my favourite track of the album and the song that got me into Tommy’s music, “Richmond Nights”, an ode to time spent watching St Patrick’s Athletic as a young lad, “Hand in hand, the boy and man walk to the terraced shed, find some space and take their place among the sea of red”, excellently setting out the scene of footballing seeds taking root. Tommy later sings about continuing this family tradition with his daughter, “in years to come, one will hold tight to his hand, when she’s allowed to join the crowd”. I love the way Tommy expertly shows through this song, what football is all about, the love of the game passed down, generation to generation. This is what it’s all about, the passion of the beautiful game, all highlighted perfectly in “Richmond Nights”.

More beautiful poetry in the next track, song 10, “Bloom”, another slow number, this time a song to his daughter, the memories of her growing up, and now she is in adulthood, “The rose is in bloom”. “Souvenirs” follows in the same vein, “A baby tooth, a tattered teddy bear, a lock of golden hair”. By the time we get to “Dust In My Eye”, we see his daughter has grown up, “I am standing in terminal two, handing your suitcase to you”, as she prepares to travel abroad. In “Shooting Stars”, he hopes she will return, “near or far, please be here for Christmas. All these songs are slow numbers, one follows the other, a father showing his love for his children in music form. Anyone that is a parent can empathise with this passion from the heart. 

“An old Irish song” is a number with some traditional music included, there is a bodhran, the tin whistle, a fiddle, even some As Gaeilge sung beautifully by Ellen O’Mahoney and Carla Ryan. One of my favourite tracks, as it is hard to get an original traditional tune right, but Tommy does it just fine. The song is about where his mother taught. 

The last track, “New Years Eve”, highlights the ending of the year, a time when we are all together as a family, and the album comes full circle, a pleasant conclusion to the life and times of Tommy Keyes. It starts like it will be a version of Auld Lang Syne but with a touch of Dublin soul. “Here we are again in New Years Eve around the family tree”. A fitting end to a great album.

I enjoyed this album a lot and in some sense it is good that Tommy has returned to music but this time without the pressures of trying to “make it” or the endless hassle of meeting album deadlines and doing gigs for self promotion. Now that Tommy has lived, his music shows a more soulful reflective mood, easy going and with a wonderful poetic style of writing easy for the listener to follow and partake in. It is a good album and one to listen to again and again. 

Temptation Once Again: Tommy Keyes (2018)

Two years after “An Irish Life” Tommy returns with “Temptation Once Again”, another easy listening collection of songs, but this time the topic is love, the good and the bad of it all. The “mainstays of the live set”, were brought to life in the studio with a team of the best session singers and musicians one can find! 

On the cover we see temptation…………..women, beer, the party lifestyle…………the story of my life! (yeah right!)

“Just A Simple Love Song”, kicks off the album, and what an excellent track to start with, brilliant, we get the the drums, piano, the backing vocals, violin, cello, sax, all coming together nicely, music that has a bit of everything, but “it’s just a simple love song for you”. “Snakes and Ladders”, seamlessly into song two, a similar song and mood, love is in the air…………..”feels like we’re playing a game of snakes and ladders, and we’re always falling down”, the turbulence of a rocky relationship but feels like it will all work out in the end. In both songs backing singer Ellen O’Mahoney and Tommy on lead vocals guide the songs expertly to their destination. 

Track three, “By My Side” is a kind of Randy Newman style number, I half expect to hear it on the new Toy Story movie, a contemplative song, “I was searching far and wide for an answer that was right there by my side” true love was found. 

“Superman”, the next track, sounds like an ode to Tommy’s parents, working the piano, while singing some soul, “little fingers wipe away the tears, pull the blanket tight around my ears”.

Track five, “It Wouldn’t Be Me”, and we are back to the Randy Newman crispy voiced pop sounds. Works well and easy to listen to. This time we see some problems from the lovers, “I can change if you want me to, I can be anyone you’d like me to be, but it wouldn’t be me!”. Richie Buckley on sax is heavy on this one. Nice tune. 

We get to see the reality of life as a young musician, on “Brimful In My Soul”, “I’m empty in my pockets but I’m brimful in my soul”, the harsh life as a musician with promises of stardom, “I was playing a open mic to a crowd of nine or ten”. Temptation here, perhaps, is to pack it in, give up on your first love……………….music? A very good song, love the story in it, from the heart and a nice slow number with Tommy perhaps giving us a glimpse of the struggles he, like a lot of musicians, went through for his craft.

Track seven, “Something’s Broken”, like the previous song, is another mellow piano sound that lingers in the mind. “Lean on me and I’ll guide you home” perhaps a song showing his love towards his children? “I promise you, you’ll never be alone”

Tommy on the piano once again shining in the next number, “The Moon and the Stars”. Gerrard Farrelly softly on the drums, while the chorus “you light up the night like the moon and the stars” sang beautifully by Ellen and Cian o’Mahoney, Paul o’Toole, and Padraig MacMahon, easy going and upbeat, the couple are back in love again. And “Everyday I Fall In Love Again” an enduring love song, Tommy’s upbeat tones declaring “everyday I fall in love again with you, with you, everyday I fall in love with you”, undying love. 

But is the love undying since we move onto track ten and we get “Temptation Once Again”, an easy going soul/pop number, where an older man encounters a younger woman, “she’s walks in your direction flashes you a smile”, “experience is best”, tempting for the old man. Another song where the musicians and the session band come together as one, with a great sax again by Richie Buckley, and Gerrard Farrelly on the drums again smooching it up, with, I am guessing his brother, Dick Farrelly on bass strumming out those heavy moods, all in unison, excellent track. 

“Valentine” brings the pace down a bit, a slow love song with the excellent pairing of Aisling Bridgeman and Aine Gallagher on their violins in the background, a lovely song of “two lovers growing old, bring(ing) back those memories, bring(ing) back that smile”

Track 12, “Christmas Eve in Dublin”, did very well in the ITunes charts, and it’s not hard to see why, as it’s a lovely seasonal song perfect for the time of year that’s in it, meeting in the pub over pints, seeing “Just the same old faces, just the same old show Christmas Eve on Dublin, they say it looks like snow”, slow number with a lovely guitar melody running through. Pubs, pints and Dublin, what’s not to love there? 

Perhaps track 13 shows what can happen if you indulge too much in the old beer drinking, as “I Was Joking”, Tommy sings about acting the maggot, playing the joker, but it got out of hand, “I never meant to hurt you, I was joking that was all”. A break up on the cards?, “Now I know the jokes on me”

Perhaps the break up has happened as in “Drunk Lullaby”, it certainly looks like lost love and someone has hit the drink, “A bottle of rye and a drunk lullaby and an old faded picture of you”, Clare Kinsella on the cello the stand out here, very good. 

Bu the last track, “Land’s End”, Tommy looks back on life again, “memories, nothing more, lands end, lands end, land end” a song that reminds me of Tom Waits with his gravelly voice, contemplative and reflecting the short time we have on this little old planet we have”awaiting the last ship, to the other side, lands end, lands end, lands end”. A great song to finish a very good album, an album where time spent perfecting the songs in the studio was well worth it all with the musicians in their own unique ways come together to produce a well crafted love album. I was thinking that Tommy could be the Irish version of Louis Armstrong, Randy Newman or at times Tom Waits. take your pick!  Yes it is that good!

Overall

Dublin was great, as always, the pints were and are always fantastic, and it is not hard to have a good time in the big city.

Loved meeting the guys, Eddie, Immanuel and Tommy, was really special to chat to three very talented individuals, and I wish them great success in the future. Just goes to show you the talent that one can find in this little wee country of ours. 

Also must mention the fast food in Richmond, a tiny bit expensive, but the burgers were so, so tasty……………and I see I am down to be home and back in Ireland during the first few weeks of July. I notice Pats are pencilled down for a Euro tie with Norrkoping from Sweden during that time……………..mmmm………………….VERY TEMPTING…………..

Full video of interview with Tommy here

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Tommy Keyes, long time Super Saints fan

Interview

Had the pleasure of having a short chat with long time Super Saints fan, Tommy Keyes.  

Tommy is a Singer-Songwriter. In between a long stint as a top civil servant with the government, Tommy was a member of Irish rock band Sidewinder in the 1970s, and is now back, after a “break” of 40 years, in the profession he loves the most, wannabe rock star and keyboard extraordinaire, writing songs, making albums and performing on stage with his new band. 

He has released four albums to date, all recorded in Sun Studios at Temple Lane, with some of Ireland’s top session musicians. The albums are An Irish LifeThe Sad PursuitSome of These Stories are True, and his most recent offering, his fourth album, Temptation Once Again. An Irish life was very well received by both the critics and the public, while the song “Christmas Eve in Dublin”, a track off his latest album reached the top of the Irish singer/songwriter charts on iTunes, with the album overall getting a very healthy score of 8/10 from the Irish music mag, Hot Press, an Irish version of Rolling Stone. 

I’m Tommy Keyes, singer songwriter, recording artist and given Rob’s (me!) particular interest in football as well, I’m also very heavily involved in St. Patrick’s athletic football club and that’s where we are tonight doing this interview.

With the song Richmond nights, the start of the song……….”Hand in hand, the boy and man walk to the terraced shed, find some space and take their place among the sea of red” so……….

Yeah that song is about 3 generations. I mean my dad first brought me here, we are in Richmond park, my dad first brought me here maybe when we were 11 or 12 and then I brought my kids as soon as they were old enough to turn them into League of Ireland supporters as well. I don’t have any grandchildren yet but the song is kind of looking ahead to when you know and it’s most likely be my daughter, as my eldest daughter is very heavily involved now in the club as well, when she will have someone to bring along, and it’s the way the love of a football club, and the love of supporting the club, gets passed on from generation to generation, it’s a very, very special thing.

I think St.Pats is, I don’t know like I have seen a few of the other teams in Dublin, but I think St Pats are slightly different to maybe Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians, is more rooted within its area, its family, it’s more community based I think?

Its very rooted in the community here in Inchicore, about 10 or 12 years ago, when, 13 years ago, when the new owner Garrett Kelleher bought the club, a lot of people were telling him that the sensible thing was to, to sell up the ground here, move out to Tallaght which was been developed at that stage, share the ground with Shamrock Rovers, and he very quickly realized that if you did that you would kill the club because the club is absolutely rooted in the community here. Not just Inchicore but the areas around it, West Dublin, its of this place and we couldn’t move so he quickly said no the club is never moving from here.

And is it hard to get people out these days to follow the League of Ireland?

It’s very hard because any night of the week…..I mean we are here Friday night and we are playing Dundalk, who are the best team in the country so this should be a massive match but Liverpool are on television tonight so we are definitely going to lose supporters to that but the one thing I will say is that there seems to be a bit of a resurgence since the start of this season, we have had very good gates for home matches, Bohemians, our last away match was in Bohemians away last week, they sold out. We sold out for our last match here against Shamrock Rovers, we had to turn people away …….you know we are talking here about you know……4,300, 4,400, we are not talking about massive gates, but you know things are improving, but I mean the quality of the football is extremely good and you can shout at the television as much as you like it’s not the same as shouting at players who can hear you………….and referees who can hear you…..

Attendances are up this season……….

Definitely

Is there a reason for that, I mean for this season especially…….?

A lot of the clubs including ourselves did some very, very good promotion videos that went viral on YouTube and all that type of thing, maybe people have a bit more money in their pocket, the quality of the football is very good, I mean a lot of the time what we are trying to do is to get people to bring their friends to a match or two, because we know that if they see how good the product is, the entertainment is, they will come again.

And since you have been following them what was the highlight season for you?

Well….I have been following them 50 years, we have won the league 6 times in that period, but I think nothing really can beat winning the FAI cup in 2014, in the Aviva because that was the hoodoo that was hanging over this club, you know, 7 cup finals, we won the cup back in I think about 61, and after that we were in 7 cup finals and we lost every single one of them.  And like some of them were so close, Shelbourne went to a replay, Derry went to extra time, we lost, 7 in a row we lost, so there was this jinx hanging over us, we are never going to win the cup, even though we won 6 leagues in the same period, and we beat Derry 2-0 in the Aviva in 2014 and that was really, really special.

https://youtu.be/YLwzH42S2tQ

Did you drink for a week after that!?

Ah, no comment on that!

And there has been some special European nights here as well. Once we get beyond a certain stage in Europe we have to move to Tallaght or whatever,  and it’s never as good,  but when this place is packed for a European night you know, we played Elfsborg from Sweden and we were losing on aggregate with about 5 minutes to go, we just needed a goal to win on away goals, we got the goal and then we got another goal, and that was just a massive, massive night.

https://youtu.be/rgcAHb4dhw8

Well cult heroes I mean then, its Paul McGrath……..

Every generation brings it cults heroes, I mean we have a lad at the club at the moment Ian Birmingham, the captain, it’s his testimonial year this year, 10th successive season, and that’s 10 seasons always been in the first team, you rarely get that in League of Ireland football now.

But you know, people like Paul Osam, Eddie Gormley, Curtis Fleming, and people older than me will talk about people like Ginger O’Rourke, and Timber Cummins and people like these fellas back in the 50’s so its generation to generation.

There is a kid here at the moment called Jamie Lennon, you will see him tonight, he is a defensive midfielder,  came on as a sub for the Ireland under 21’s in tallaght there last Sunday week, you know he is a star of the future.

Chris Forrester is back, Chris has had a disastrous year, he was doing really well at Peterborough and then it kind of went off the boil, they sold him to Aberdeen and that didn’t work out at all, so he is home now, and he hasn’t played very much football in the last year so he is only  finding his feet again, when he finds his feet he is going to be massive, he was one of the legends here……….

So what should I expect tonight in terms of atmosphere…?

The atmosphere will be good, we are on a bad roll because the team hasn’t quite gelled with the new signings, Dundalk are the best team in the country, notwithstanding that Shamrock Rovers might be top of the table at the moment, so we are very much up against it, if we get anything out of the game tonight that would be good.

Then with regards music Tommy, so how is the music going for you these days?

The music is going very well, I was working in a completely different….I was working away from music for nearly 40 years because in the 70s I had been in bands, and so on, and I was the main songwriter in the bands that I was in, and then I was away from music for 40 years because I had a different career and it just didn’t leave any room for music, but I retired from that in 2015 and went straight into the studio and recorded stuff, started doing albums, getting back gigging, looking around for singer songwriter sessions…….I’m not really interested in going into pubs doing covers,

You do your own songs…

I do my own stuff and there are, particularly around Dublin, there are places where you can go and play your own material and I ended up landing on my feet really, because I got involved with a pub in Dublin called Darkie Kelly’s, which has singer songwriter night on Tuesdays, and I started playing that and then they asked me to host it and then they asked me to run it and so I run that session now, and I get to do quite a few original songs, and every Tuesday night and we usually have 9 or 10 other singer songwriters who all perform and then we have a big jam at the end, and I do a thing then in the same place, an idea came up with myself last year called the Sunday Song Brunch where twice a month we have half 12 until 3 o’clock sessions on a Sunday where we have much the same thing. And the nice thing about that is our musicians because during the day, musicians who have young kids, the kids maybe never seen daddy or mammy play so they can bring them in, so that’s nice as well.

I’m very content, 4th album, Temptation Once Again, came out in November, has done really well, got really nice reviews for it, getting a good bit of radio play, I’m never going to make money out of this but it doesn’t matter I just want my original songs out there

But you get your own audience online……..

That’s exactly it, that’s exactly it.

Does the football feed off it, when you are standing on the terraces on a cold wet night, does inspiration hit you………

Well I don’t know about that. but the first thing is I look around the ground as you will do this evening and behind each goal I will see a big billboard Tommy Keyes, that I decided I was going to put a little bit of money into promotion so St pats might as well have it…….so every time that Soccer Republic (TV Show) is on or whatever it is called now, if they are showing any goals from Richmond Park, just a quick little subliminal add that catches everyone for Tommy Keyes, which is good.

Which would be better, the buzz from a live performance, you are playing in front of people, or a goal tonight, is there…………

They are both brilliant……. that’s like saying you can only keep one of your kids……..which one would you give up, you couldn’t really choose between those………….

You said you were with Sidewinder back in the day…..

In the 70’s………….

Yeah, is there much of a difference between then and these times?

Yeah well first of all, big difference personally because I was just the keyboard player in the band I was never the front man, now it’s me, I’m Tommy Keyes, sometimes I play with a band, but it would be the band I put together myself and so on…………so it is different……

And the other big difference is now, and this is why I said I feel very sorry for young musicians now, in those days you could actually make money doing it, you know….the gigs all paid, there were big crowds and all that type of thing, and if you brought out an album or single people would buy it, now the venues generally don’t pay, or pay very, very little, and everyone downloads the albums, singles, or streams them whatever, I mean if you hear everything you want to hear on Spotify, why are you going to buy things, and that’s the problem. So, in terms of it been a money-making proposition it is very difficult.

But you are more catered to your audience I think due to YouTube and social media; you can go direct to your audience.

Absolutely, you can target them in that way.

Ok Tommy, just with regards to tonight’s game, any predictions on the game ………….

Mmmm………my head says we will lose, and my heart says a one all draw.

I think they lost in the cup there (To Dundalk) ……….

We played them in the League Cup on Monday, 2-1 defeat, yeah

But that was the second team maybe?

Well yeah both teams were under strength for the game you know.

Our problem this season is scoring goals, and our striker, Mikey Drennan is the only player who has scored so far this season and unfortunately, he got sent off against Bohemians last week so he is suspended so that doesn’t help. Gary Shaw is playing up front

Ok so it might be a one nil then, a narrow one nil then

I will take that now

Ninetieth minute

I will take that now.

Ok thanks very much……………….

(Game ended one nil to St. Pats!)

Follow Tommy Keyes

http://www.tommykeyes.com/

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I did a short and brief review of two of Tommy’s albums. I am not a great music reviewer, maybe not even a good beer reviewer, but I gave it a try. 

An Irish Life: Tommy Keyes (2016)

This album is Tommy reminiscing about the olden days, the time he was growing up as a wee lad, the teenage years of angst and rock music, gigging around the country, the monotony of a working stiff, and the equal pleasures and sadness of seeing his daughters grow up and then leave home. Basically it’s the story of Tommy’s life in music, and in poetic form sang with passion and feeling. The soundtrack to his life in all its glory and wonder, just like the lives of his fellow compatriots, a life not too separated from what so many were going through in Ireland at the time, an Irish life we all know so well. 

The album is cleverly set up into 4 parts: Spring, Summer, Autumn and, finishing with, Christmas. Showing the various stages of life in music form, hot stepping it as a young nipper in spring, football in the summer, sad reflections in autumn, and get togethers around the family tree at Christmas. 

From the beginning we are brought into the life of a dreamer, “I was there” is the first track, taking us back to the days of late night clubs and old gigs, the craic was great and the fun Tommy had………..”Those were crazy days, I know cause I was there”, all played out to the beat of an old style light rock tempo just like what was heard back in the day. Great start, sets us up nicely, gets us in the mood…………

“Happy days” is another cracker of a tune, love it. This time Tommy goes back even further, to the excitement he had as a young nipper acting out make believe scenes as a cowboy, football superstar, or 007, like we all did when we were kids. Happy days indeed. “In our field of dreams we’ll be football teams, we’ll take to the pitch in the green shirt of Ireland, win every match on the way to the final”. Great, makes me wonder do the young ones these days, what with their Iphone and Ipads, have the same amount of fun we had when we were young, somehow I doubt it. The backing vocals on this track provided by Ellen and Cian O’Mahoney are excellent, and what makes the song stand out. There is also a nice guitar solo, from Dick Farrelly, midway through the track, just to remind you of Tommy’s rock credentials! 

The soft rock and easy listening continues with the next tune, “Landscape Park”, again about childhood memories, again about football in the park, “Kick a football until dark”. Something tells me Tommy, was a keen footballer and perhaps music was not his first love!

“SmallTown Superstars”, track 4, goes off on a little tangent, more of a country twang to this song, pretty upbeat and chirpy, and another guitar solo from Mr Dick Farrelly, perhaps highlighting the mix of the showband and the new music coming from across the water, “We were children of the 50’s, we grow up with rock n roll”, before Tommy and his mates had a band themselves and while making all the local newspapers, they “were small town superstars”, for a while at least living the dream. 

After the upbeat start Tommy slows it down a bit for the next few songs, a more soulful, more soothing collection of memories. “In Dublin” is about emigration, a subject I think most Irish people are only too well aware of, “We’re climbing slowly in the sky, never look behind, leaving on our own, America, Australia, we’re never coming home!”, while “Long Distance Call” is another reminder of the ways things were pre internet or pre skype when calling from afar. A call home, to loved ones, “On Bondi Beach on Christmas day the sky is clear, I just called to say I’m fine”. The backing vocals create an air of sadness and shows how distance does indeed make the heart grow fonder.  

Tommy’s life has settled down as shown in the next few tracks, as a working man in “Sleep She Said“, a “cog in the wheel in a lifetime of service, when morning comes I do it all again!”, all played out with a lovely melody on the guitar. He has grown up and now has a young child, “My Little Girl, it is a “Slowdown world for me and my girl”. track 8, mid life, mid album.  

We then move onto my favourite track of the album and the song that got me into Tommy’s music, “Richmond Nights”, an ode to time spent watching St Patrick’s Athletic as a young lad, “Hand in hand, the boy and man walk to the terraced shed, find some space and take their place among the sea of red”, excellently setting out the scene of footballing seeds taking root. Tommy later sings about continuing this family tradition with his daughter, “in years to come, one will hold tight to his hand, when she’s allowed to join the crowd”. I love the way Tommy expertly shows through this song, what football is all about, the love of the game passed down, generation to generation. This is what it’s all about, the passion of the beautiful game, all highlighted perfectly in “Richmond Nights”.

More beautiful poetry in the next track, song 10, “Bloom”, another slow number, this time a song to his daughter, the memories of her growing up, and now she is in adulthood, “The rose is in bloom”. “Souvenirs” follows in the same vein, “A baby tooth, a tattered teddy bear, a lock of golden hair”. By the time we get to “Dust In My Eye”, we see his daughter has grown up, “I am standing in terminal two, handing your suitcase to you”, as she prepares to travel abroad. In “Shooting Stars”, he hopes she will return, “near or far, please be here for Christmas. All these songs are slow numbers, one follows the other, a father showing his love for his children in music form. Anyone that is a parent can empathise with this passion from the heart. 

“An old Irish song” is a number with some traditional music included, there is a bodhran, the tin whistle, a fiddle, even some As Gaeilge sung beautifully by Ellen O’Mahoney and Carla Ryan. One of my favourite tracks, as it is hard to get an original traditional tune right, but Tommy does it just fine. The song is about where his mother taught. 

The last track, “New Years Eve”, highlights the ending of the year, a time when we are all together as a family, and the album comes full circle, a pleasant conclusion to the life and times of Tommy Keyes. It starts like it will be a version of Auld Lang Syne but with a touch of Dublin soul. “Here we are again in New Years Eve around the family tree”. A fitting end to a great album.

I enjoyed this album a lot and in some sense it is good that Tommy has returned to music but this time without the pressures of trying to “make it” or the endless hassle of meeting album deadlines and doing gigs for self promotion. Now that Tommy has lived, his music shows a more soulful reflective mood, easy going and with a wonderful poetic style of writing easy for the listener to follow and partake in. It is a good album and one to listen to again and again. 

Temptation Once Again: Tommy Keyes (2018)

Two years after “An Irish Life” Tommy returns with “Temptation Once Again”, another easy listening collection of songs, but this time the topic is love, the good and the bad of it all. The “mainstays of the live set”, were brought to life in the studio with a team of the best session singers and musicians one can find! 

On the cover we see temptation…………..women, beer, the party lifestyle…………the story of my life! (yeah right!)

“Just A Simple Love Song”, kicks off the album, and what an excellent track to start with, brilliant, we get the the drums, piano, the backing vocals, violin, cello, sax, all coming together nicely, music that has a bit of everything, but “it’s just a simple love song for you”. “Snakes and Ladders”, seamlessly into song two, a similar song and mood, love is in the air…………..”feels like we’re playing a game of snakes and ladders, and we’re always falling down”, the turbulence of a rocky relationship but feels like it will all work out in the end. In both songs backing singer Ellen O’Mahoney and Tommy on lead vocals guide the songs expertly to their destination. 

Track three, “By My Side” is a kind of Randy Newman style number, I half expect to hear it on the new Toy Story movie, a contemplative song, “I was searching far and wide for an answer that was right there by my side” true love was found. 

“Superman”, the next track, sounds like an ode to Tommy’s parents, working the piano, while singing some soul, “little fingers wipe away the tears, pull the blanket tight around my ears”.

Track five, “It Wouldn’t Be Me”, and we are back to the Randy Newman crispy voiced pop sounds. Works well and easy to listen to. This time we see some problems from the lovers, “I can change if you want me to, I can be anyone you’d like me to be, but it wouldn’t be me!”. Richie Buckley on sax is heavy on this one. Nice tune. 

We get to see the reality of life as a young musician, on “Brimful In My Soul”, “I’m empty in my pockets but I’m brimful in my soul”, the harsh life as a musician with promises of stardom, “I was playing a open mic to a crowd of nine or ten”. Temptation here, perhaps, is to pack it in, give up on your first love……………….music? A very good song, love the story in it, from the heart and a nice slow number with Tommy perhaps giving us a glimpse of the struggles he, like a lot of musicians, went through for his craft.

Track seven, “Something’s Broken”, like the previous song, is another mellow piano sound that lingers in the mind. “Lean on me and I’ll guide you home” perhaps a song showing his love towards his children? “I promise you, you’ll never be alone”

Tommy on the piano once again shining in the next number, “The Moon and the Stars”. Gerrard Farrelly softly on the drums, while the chorus “you light up the night like the moon and the stars” sang beautifully by Ellen and Cian o’Mahoney, Paul o’Toole, and Padraig MacMahon, easy going and upbeat, the couple are back in love again. And “Everyday I Fall In Love Again” an enduring love song, Tommy’s upbeat tones declaring “everyday I fall in love again with you, with you, everyday I fall in love with you”, undying love. 

But is the love undying since we move onto track ten and we get “Temptation Once Again”, an easy going soul/pop number, where an older man encounters a younger woman, “she’s walks in your direction flashes you a smile”, “experience is best”, tempting for the old man. Another song where the musicians and the session band come together as one, with a great sax again by Richie Buckley, and Gerrard Farrelly on the drums again smooching it up, with, I am guessing his brother, Dick Farrelly on bass strumming out those heavy moods, all in unison, excellent track. 

“Valentine” brings the pace down a bit, a slow love song with the excellent pairing of Aisling Bridgeman and Aine Gallagher on their violins in the background, a lovely song of “two lovers growing old, bring(ing) back those memories, bring(ing) back that smile”

Track 12, “Christmas Eve in Dublin”, did very well in the ITunes charts, and it’s not hard to see why, as it’s a lovely seasonal song perfect for the time of year that’s in it, meeting in the pub over pints, seeing “Just the same old faces, just the same old show Christmas Eve on Dublin, they say it looks like snow”, slow number with a lovely guitar melody running through. Pubs, pints and Dublin, what’s not to love there? 

Perhaps track 13 shows what can happen if you indulge too much in the old beer drinking, as “I Was Joking”, Tommy sings about acting the maggot, playing the joker, but it got out of hand, “I never meant to hurt you, I was joking that was all”. A break up on the cards?, “Now I know the jokes on me”

Perhaps the break up has happened as in “Drunk Lullaby”, it certainly looks like lost love and someone has hit the drink, “A bottle of rye and a drunk lullaby and an old faded picture of you”, Clare Kinsella on the cello the stand out here, very good. 

Bu the last track, “Land’s End”, Tommy looks back on life again, “memories, nothing more, lands end, lands end, land end” a song that reminds me of Tom Waits with his gravelly voice, contemplative and reflecting the short time we have on this little old planet we have”awaiting the last ship, to the other side, lands end, lands end, lands end”. A great song to finish a very good album, an album where time spent perfecting the songs in the studio was well worth it all with the musicians in their own unique ways come together to produce a well crafted love album. I was thinking that Tommy could be the Irish version of Louis Armstrong, Randy Newman or at times Tom Waits. take your pick!  Yes it is that good!

Full video of interview here

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Athlone Town

John, lifelong Athlone Town fan

Interview with lifelong Athlone Town fan

The lads in Sean’s Bar pointed me the direction of SuperValu up the town (at least I think that was the direction!), they told me there I would find a certain John Croughan, a long time fan of Ireland’s oldest team, and who would be a well of information on all things Athlone Town FC.

Although he was a bit busy and his sister was eager to drag him off somewhere, sure enough John was only too happy to have a short chat about the fortunes of the club.

So I am with John here

Hello, how are you doing? My name is John Croughan and I have been involved with Athlone Town probably close on 40 years, more even, ha ha

Ha ok, so that was the first question, how long have you been supporting Athlone Town! ok, So why Athlone, so I guess you are born and bred in Athlone, it’s a natural progression is it?

Yes. I was born and bred in Athlone, but my father was a big supporter and brought us and my brothers when we were all young, and you just got into the habit, that just became the norm, every second Sunday.

When I was going to Athlone matches at the start they were only a junior club, then they went into the B division, or what it was called then of League of Ireland, and then progressed into the First division, or Premier League as it is known now. But that was how it developed. 

Is it hard to get the people in the town out to support the club? 

Yeah, because everyone wants success, whether its rugby, Gaelic, hurling, whatever club you are involved in, and soccer is the same. And if you are doing well everyone wants to be involved. When you are not doing well…..everyone wants to keep their head down and keep away from the club and that’s the situation.

In the good days then what would you say was Athlone’s attendance, would they get a good crowd?

Yeah, I would say they were getting 12, or 15 hundred people, probably even an up on that. Yeah they were probably getting on up on that, two or two and a half thousand, but em….its dwindled off…interest goes…if you are not getting success people lose interest. It’s hard to keep them motivated.

Is it much of a walk from the town? To the ground?

15/20 minutes.

So really there is no excuse then!

It’s not the distance that the pitch is out, and there are fantastic facilities for parking, etc, etc and at one stage there was a local mini bus running out but I dont know if that’s still going or not. But the location of it is ok.

All those years you have been following them, what have been the highlights?  …..AC Milan, of course!

Yeah of course!

You are going to say you were at that game!

I was!

Oh, of course you were!

I was in the College, and we took the half day off. Lashing rain, and all my friends of my age we were all there

Dare I ask how old you were!?

I would have been 19 or 20. 

It must have been great excitement in the town?

It was unbelievable, fantastic. Something you will never see again. Athlone had played a few European teams but Milan was the cream on the cake. 

How many people were at the ground that day?

Well, it was literally, absolutely  jammed. I dont know what the figure is, but I say it had have to be 4 or 4 and a half or 5 thousand people because it wasn’t a ground, nowhere just to squeeze them in, it was seriously jammed. It was a very wet day but all you could see was people.

Must have been amazing?

It was unbelievable. There is a few photographs doing the circles for a few years. Trapattoni getting off the bus….

Cult heroes of the club for you then?

For me, well John Minnock first of all, I know he missed the penalty (against AC Milan) but I grew up with John Minnock and when I was in the college John Minnock was working out there, but there was loads of them there, Carl Humphries, Eugene Davis, there was so many, Tom Conway, Larry Wise, and then you would have to go into the O Connors, Pauric, whom I met in here only a few weeks ago, and he still looking absolutely fantastic. 

So ye guys are used to playing AC Milan, but did you ever think of the rivalry with Longford Town?

That goes on, sure I would be very pally, I was involved in the Athlone committee for years and I’d know all the lads with Longford, there would be rivalry all right.

But you haven’t beaten them in a while, its a few seasons I think.

No, look its local rivalry. Those games….the game you dont think you will beat them is the game you will beat them in. But I get on well with the lads from longford, never had an issue.

The last two seasons were pretty tough for Athlone.

Yeah it was crazy, they lost the focus on what they were at, and at the end of the day you are a football club. You have great development of the youth, and of course that is fantastic and I would be a big supporter of developing youth football and bringing young players through. But it is a football club. And you have to remember that! 

So what’s different this year then? You have already got more points than you got last year. 

They seem to have set a budget aside for a team of a certain calibre.

Not as many Chinese in the dugout?

No, not as many Chinese or Croatians or any other thing!

Do you follow the present team? Are there any players for anyone coming from outside that we should look out for tonight in the derby?

There are a couple of young players there you know, they would be worth looking at, there is sort of a mix between mature players and young players, Aaron Brilly is a good player, and there is a few more there that need to be looked at, and I think they maybe need this season and doing well to peak. 

Well it’s already a progression from the last two seasons. 

Ok first time at an EL Classico derby, midlands derby, what should I expect from atmosphere wise tonight, or getting to the ground, or ….will there be any argy bargy……

No no, I dont think that goes on, there might be some slagging between the two sets of supporters, but nothing more than that. It’s good humoured bit of fun.

Ok John thanks, lovely to talk to you.

John has to get back to work now………………………….

Work is right!

Thanks John

Your welcome.

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Athlone Town

Athlone Town, football away days

Athlone TownSo off on another League of Ireland ground-hop, into the Midlands this time to see Athlone Town, from the county of Westmeath and into the heart of Ireland. 

Athlone town (“The town of Luan’s ford” in Gaelic) with a population of about 21,000, is sitting proud on the great majestic River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland, nicely splitting the town into two.  

Luain was an innkeeper who guided people across the treacherous waters of the ancient ford. Later, a settlement was established around the crossing point and, later, a wooden bridge was built across the river in the 12th century, and with it a fort for protection built by Irish chieftain Turloch Mór Ó Conor, and, next, the Normans built a motte and bailey, and later still a castle. Basically the town itself was built over time around these varying structures, strategic pinpoints to crossing the Shannon and indeed Ireland itself.  

Getting to the town is easy as it is well served by both train and bus. Irish Rail have daily trains coming and going from Dublin Heuston and westwards to the Westport/Ballina lines as well as to Athenry, Oranmore and Galway. Bus Éireann, the national bus operator, runs beside the railway station and provides an hourly daily service to Dublin and Galway. For getting around the town, a local Athlone bus service is also in operation. By car, coming from Dublin you can get on the M6 motorway, that connects Athlone to the capital city (90 minutes) and to Galway (60 minutes). The town itself is small enough and well easy to walk around on foot and see most of the sights within the day, or in my case visit a good few of the boozers in a couple of hours!! 

Athlone TownAthlone has two things that make it stand out from other midlands towns, the Shannon and the regional third level college, The Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT). The Shannon brings tourism while the college brings students. These amenities are a huge boost to the area, bringing technical and pharma jobs to the town, and with it the development of the area. The town has two big shopping centres, the usual top quality hotels to cater for all the tourists (Prince of Wales, Hodson Bay, Sheraton and Radisson ), has a few state-run and semi-state-run organisations (The Department of Education, Revenue Commissioners, Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland all have bases in the town), and money is flowing into this up and coming hub beside the Shannon. Sports wise too, the Athlone IT International Arena is Ireland’s first world class indoor athletics arena, while the town hosted the prestigious European Triathlon Championships in 2010, when approximately 5,000 athletes participated in the event.

Athlone TownOn the River Shannon, one can take a cruise, or even go on a Viking adventure trip up the River on a replica Viking boat. Lough Ree is just up the road and a great place for boating. The promenade on the River Shannon is popular among anglers, birdwatchers and swimmers. 

Landmarks and good markers for directions are the Church of Saints Peter and Paul which stands tall beside Athlone Castle, with its Visitors Centre, built for England’s King John in 1210. It is one of the oldest surviving castles in Ireland, situated next to the bridge across the Shannon. Also St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, at the other end of the town, dominates the skyline of the small town.

Well known people who are from the town of Athlone include Going for Gold host Henry Kelly, the international renowned tenor John McCormack, country singer Brendan Shine, Irish politician Mammy O’Rourke, and two well known Youtubers, Jacksepticeye who is septic, and Stefan Molyneux who is anything but.

Pub watch 

Sean’s Bar

Address: 13 Main Street, Athlone 

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Athlone Town

Well there could only be one bar that I could start the day of fun in and that would have to be Sean’s bar, just around the corner from Athlone Castle on the banks of the River Shannon. 

The oldest pub on the island of Ireland, and also even in the whole wide world, with a history dating back to AD 900! Yes you read that correctly, nine hundred AD! But this isn’t just an Irish tale, the Guinness World Records have confirmed this amazing fact to be true, no fake news here!

I was lucky enough to get chatting to Timmy O Donovan who works in Seans Bar and who was kind enough to sit down with me for a small talk about the history behind the pub. 

Was well impressed with Timmy’s vast knowledge of the olden times and it is quite clear that the bar does have an old, old history. 

The bar itself looks very quaint from the outside, looks a bit small, but once inside you can wander around and see that it is quite big actually, a few floors too. A lot of history with many ancient artifacts on display, and the front bar is a nice and cosy place for a quiet pint. They do have a lot of space out the back and they have a large beer garden to cater for bigger crowds and to help ease the congestion from the nightly music sessions they like to have here. 

Athlone TownWhen I was there early in the day there were a good few tourists in the bar, but also a nice mix of locals too, a good atmosphere was building, and the pints were a flowing. They do have a good selection of beers on tap and I tried their own stout and the red ale, both very good particularly the stout, excellent. Also had a wee drop of their whiskey. Now not a whiskey drinker, yeah I know as an Irishman that’s a mortal sin, but it tasted ok to me, least it was smooth enough! Sat at the bar and took in all the atmosphere and the mystique of the place. Loved it and would have been quite happy to have stayed here all day, but alas I had to continue on my trip around the town. Ancient Irish history, in the settings of a cozy relaxed bar, drinking great pints. If only history class in school was as interesting as this!!!

Great bar, and even if it had none of the history it still would be a top spot. Recommended, and I will be back!!!!!

Nuts Corner 

Address: 9 Mardyke Street, Athlone

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Athlone Town

Athlone TownAfter Seans I went for a stroll, to have a look at John McCormick’s old house, walk past the Castle and take in the cool breeze of the Shannon air as I ventured across the bridge to the other side of the town. Went into Nuts Corner, in the centre of the town, as it had a nice exterior, old fashioned and inviting.

A few customers, looked like regulars, the horse racing on the box, ordered a pint of the black stuff, Guinness, which tasted good, service was fine. Nice, small enough little bar, with a traditional interior, a place for music at night, but not much happening this time of the day. 

 

The Bottleneck Bar

Address: 5 Mardyke Street, Athlone.

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Athlone Town

Athlone TownThis place was a little busier than the last bar, busy enough for the time of the day that was in it, bar was pretty full, still managed to get a place at the top table! Ordered a pint of Smithwicks from a friendly bar lady, who looked like she was worked off her feet, all alone in a busy bar, in a bar with some rather interesting characters! 

Anyway, pint was fine, bar had a good atmosphere, if a little edgy, but all good fun. 

Sean Ogs

Address: 88 Sean Costello Street, Athlone

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Athlone Town

Athlone TownAfter a quick detour via SuperMacs (love the old SuperMacs!), dropped into this small bar for another quick pint. Small bar divided into two sections, went past all the regulars giving me the eye to the quieter section at the back. Ordered a pint of Smithwicks, my usual. Got chatting to the bar man who was great craic, very good sense of humour, good bit of ribbing. 

Pint was fine, atmosphere in the bar was great, and I enjoyed this bar, good bit of banter with the bar man, and if back in the town will be back. Recommended! 

 

Seery’s Bar

Address: 3 Barrack Street, Athlone

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Athlone Town

Popped in as this pub was recommended by quite a few people online. A family run pub with a nice traditional smart decor. I ordered a pint of Smithwicks, in a pretty deserted pub for a Saturday afternoon. Pint was fine, served quick and drank quicker. Not much to report, unfortunately. 

Walsh’s Pub and Grocery

Address: 72 Connaught Street, Athlone

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Athlone Town

Final pub before I headed out to the game. Dropped in here for a quick pint. Got a pint of Smithwicks, and sat myself down at the side of the entrance which was well comfy and secluded to the rest of the bar. Near the bar there was a massive screen with the horse racing on, a few punters in the darkly lit bar, relaxed atmosphere and pint was fine. No problems. 

Pub is run by the Walsh family for six generations and is a cosy little place. 

 

Athlone Town A.F.C.

Founded: 1887

Arena/Stadium: Athlone Town Stadium

Location: Lissywollen, Athlone

Capacity: 5,000 (2,500 seated)

Manager: Terry Butler

Leagues: League of Ireland First Division

Honours:
League of Ireland/Premier Division: 2 (Last 1983)
FAI Cup: 1 (1924)

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Nickname: The Town

Athlone Town

Athlone Town Association Football Club are the oldest football team playing in the League of Ireland, founded in 1887. They play their home games in Athlone Town Stadium, which was opened in 2007. The club’s colours are blue and black.

They first joined the LOI in 1922, played for a few years to 1928, then did not partake in competitive senior league football until 1969! But they did take part in the FAI Cup and even won it in 1924, beating Fordsons from Cork one nil, there one and only FAI Cup win.

The club finished second in the league in the 1974–75 season earning a place in the UEFA Cup, the first time they had ever qualified for European competition. Their first-round game was against Norwegian side Vålerenga who they beat. Athlone’s second round tie is legendary, against Italian giants AC Milan drawing 0–0 in the first leg at little old St. Mel’s Park setting a record attendance of 9,000 before losing the second leg at the San Siro 3–0. At St Mel’s they even had the demetrity to miss a penalty!

A first league title came in the 1980–81 season. As Champions of Ireland, they played KB from Denmark in the European Cup, the following season, earning a draw in the first leg away but going out by the away goals after a one all home draw at St. Mel’s. Another title came in the 1982–83 season. Their opponents in Europe on this occasion were Belgian outfit Standard Liège, losing 3–2 at home and 8–2 in Liège.

In the late 80’s and in the 1990’s the club went through a period of relegation and promotion over a few years. Relegation in the 1996 season seeing them spend quite a while in the first division. In the early noughties, the club went through a succession of different managers,all with little success with Athlone nearing more the bottom half than the promotion places throughout each season, depressing stuff. 

Athlone TownBut by 2007, with the new move to the Stadium, confidence was up for a change in the direction of the club. That confidence was ill founded as the club had to go to the fans to help it out of some financial difficulties, a patron scheme with over 350 loyal fans contributing to the club staying afloat. 

If you are thinking that that was as bad as it got well then you aint seen nothing yet! A debt of about 500,000 Euros, incurred through the building of the new stadium, was a noose around the neck of the old club. I dont understand how the club managed to have so much debt considering their new ground was meant to have been a direct land swap between them and the local council, but heh this is Fianna Fail country (irish political party and sometime crime syndicate) and it is better not to ask questions! But suddenly in 2011, the debt was paid, in full, by a mysterious backer that had the whole league gossiping to the identity of the new owners of the club. The supporters were rubbing their hands with glee, what Galactico’s would be relocating by the Shannon, better get those guest houses spruced up! Well they didn’t get any superstars but they did get Roddy Collins, and under his guidance and with a decent squad, Athlone finally clinched the First Division title with a 1–0 win over Waterford United, in September 2013, and thus promotion to the Irish premier. But alas, the club were relegated the very next season!

But years later what happened was far worse than what any supporter could have ever dreamed off, far, far worse. A consortium of shady characters from Portugal had taken over the club, with money seemingly supplied from China. Debts were wiped out for sure, but so was any semblance of a decent team as very average footballers from all over the place turned up to play for the town. Added to this were two Portuguese managers, Ricardo Monsanto and Ricardo Cravo, who didn’t really get what LOI football was all about, or was that the purpose? It seemed like football was secondary, and that other trivial pursuits were more important!I The upshot of all this was that Athlone went three seasons where they were rock bottom, last in the league, and even went one whole season without a win, shocking stuff from Ireland’s oldest club. Some of the players didn’t seem up to scratch and had their minds on other things. The end result of all this was that in September 2017 the FAI banned goalkeeper Igors Labuts and midfielder Dragos Sfrijan for 12 months after a UEFA investigation found “clear and overwhelming betting evidence” of fixing in one of Athlones games (against Longford). Just the one, I add! (cough!)

Athlone Town

Crowds dropped, some games had attendances less than a 100! Added to this Athlone had 10 managers in a seven year period, with players coming and going, and all the background shenanigans to boot. No wonder the crowds stayed away. Through all of this it has to be said, all this bull went under the watch of club chairman John Hayden. The result is there is a long term boycott of all Athlone games from some of the more die hard Athlone Town fans who won’t return until Hayden is gone. 

Athlone Town Stadium, or “Lissywollen” as it commonly known to the fans, is the home stadium of Athlone Town. It has a seating capacity just over 2,000 and an overall capacity of 5,000. The stadium was built in 2007, replacing St Mel’s Park which the club had played out of for near 80 years. In 2018, a dispute over ownership of Athlone Town Stadium arose between the club and local businessman Declan Molloy, who was majority shareholder in Athlone Stadium Ltd and who had apparently ploughed a lot of money into the club during some of the more darker days. The issue of what to do with a government grant for the installation of artificial turf ahead of the 2019 Season was delayed due to this row. But it eventually resided with the club gaining control of the ground, and so the plastic pitch was layed (unfortunately I say, I hate the plastic!) 

To the game

Athlone TownAthlone AFC 0-1 Longford Town 

22.03.2019  Athlone Town Stadium

69’ Sam Verdon (Longford)

Attendance: 700+ 

Athlone TownGetting to the ground  itself by foot is a little tricky as it is a bit of a trek from the town centre, but luckily enough I managed to hitch a lift with a Longford Town fan. 

Bought a ticket at entrance stile for €10.00 which I think is very reasonable. 

They used to have a bar here back in the day, but not these days. Lucky then I managed to bring in two cans of cider to keep me going in the cold dark night that was in it!

The ground itself is fine, or at least the main stand, the only one! For the first half I sat with the Longford Town fans down in the corner. 

Athlone TownAt half time had a wander around, and grabbed some refreshments from a catering van with some friendly staff, got a nice burger and some hot tea for myself and some coffee for two stewards/ball boys (Ball men?) I had noticed standing in the cold on their own behind the goals and across from the main stand. I wandered over to them for a chat, and a great chat it was, and was well surprised that they do this for the pure love of the game but it seems to me they dont get much thanks for their hard work, not even a cup of hot tea, ffs. Shameful from Athlone Town FC, you should always look after your volunteers. 

As for the game, Athlone had a good chance in the first half, good shot with the Longford keeper alert to it and pushing the shot wide. Longford then had claims for a penalty when one of their forwards went down in the box. Have to say where I was sitting it looked like a penalty. Longford’s wingers were really doing well, both left and right I thought and causing a lot of problems for the Athlone defense. And sure enough this is the route where Longford got the only goal of the game, from the right, a cross that everyone missed, expect Sam Verdon who walked it in at the far post. Both teams had a few more chances but Longford held on to notch up another Derby win against their old rivals. Not a bad game really, played in front of a decent crowd with a lively set of fans from each team.

Day was over when my sister, who was waiting in the car park, collected me from the ground and on the way home I was, still sipping from my can of cider!

Highlights of the game here.

Interview

The lads in Sean’s Bar pointed me the direction of SuperValu up the town (at least I think that was the direction!), they told me there I would find a certain John Croughan, a long time fan of Ireland’s oldest team, and who would be a well of information on all things Athlone Town FC.

Although he was a bit busy and his sister was eager to drag him off somewhere, sure enough John was only too happy to have a short chat about the fortunes of the club.

So I am with John here

Hello, how are you doing? My name is John Croughan and I have been involved with Athlone Town probably close on 40 years, more even, ha ha

Ha ok, so that was the first question, how long have you been supporting Athlone Town! ok, So why Athlone, so I guess you are born and bred in Athlone, it’s a natural progression is it?

Yes. I was born and bred in Athlone, but my father was a big supporter and brought us and my brothers when we were all young, and you just got into the habit, that just became the norm, every second Sunday.

When I was going to Athlone matches at the start they were only a junior club, then they went into the B division, or what it was called then of League of Ireland, and then progressed into the First division, or Premier League as it is known now. But that was how it developed. 

Is it hard to get the people in the town out to support the club? 

Yeah, because everyone wants success, whether its rugby, Gaelic, hurling, whatever club you are involved in, and soccer is the same. And if you are doing well everyone wants to be involved. When you are not doing well…..everyone wants to keep their head down and keep away from the club and that’s the situation.

In the good days then what would you say was Athlone’s attendance, would they get a good crowd?

Yeah, I would say they were getting 12, or 15 hundred people, probably even an up on that. Yeah they were probably getting on up on that, two or two and a half thousand, but em….its dwindled off…interest goes…if you are not getting success people lose interest. It’s hard to keep them motivated.

Is it much of a walk from the town? To the ground?

15/20 minutes.

So really there is no excuse then!

It’s not the distance that the pitch is out, and there are fantastic facilities for parking, etc, etc and at one stage there was a local mini bus running out but I dont know if that’s still going or not. But the location of it is ok.

All those years you have been following them, what have been the highlights?  …..AC Milan, of course!

Yeah of course!

You are going to say you were at that game!

I was!

Oh, of course you were!

I was in the College, and we took the half day off. Lashing rain, and all my friends of my age we were all there

Dare I ask how old you were!?

I would have been 19 or 20. 

It must have been great excitement in the town?

It was unbelievable, fantastic. Something you will never see again. Athlone had played a few European teams but Milan was the cream on the cake. 

How many people were at the ground that day?

Well, it was literally, absolutely  jammed. I dont know what the figure is, but I say it had have to be 4 or 4 and a half or 5 thousand people because it wasn’t a ground, nowhere just to squeeze them in, it was seriously jammed. It was a very wet day but all you could see was people.

Must have been amazing?

It was unbelievable. There is a few photographs doing the circles for a few years. Trapattoni getting off the bus….

Cult heroes of the club for you then?

For me, well John Minnock first of all, I know he missed the penalty (against AC Milan) but I grew up with John Minnock and when I was in the college John Minnock was working out there, but there was loads of them there, Carl Humphries, Eugene Davis, there was so many, Tom Conway, Larry Wise, and then you would have to go into the O Connors, Pauric, whom I met in here only a few weeks ago, and he still looking absolutely fantastic. 

So ye guys are used to playing AC Milan, but did you ever think of the rivalry with Longford Town?

That goes on, sure I would be very pally, I was involved in the Athlone committee for years and I’d know all the lads with Longford, there would be rivalry all right.

But you haven’t beaten them in a while, its a few seasons I think.

No, look its local rivalry. Those games….the game you dont think you will beat them is the game you will beat them in. But I get on well with the lads from longford, never had an issue.

The last two seasons were pretty tough for Athlone.

Yeah it was crazy, they lost the focus on what they were at, and at the end of the day you are a football club. You have great development of the youth, and of course that is fantastic and I would be a big supporter of developing youth football and bringing young players through. But it is a football club. And you have to remember that! 

So what’s different this year then? You have already got more points than you got last year. 

They seem to have set a budget aside for a team of a certain calibre.

Not as many Chinese in the dugout?

No, not as many Chinese or Croatians or any other thing!

Do you follow the present team? Are there any players for anyone coming from outside that we should look out for tonight in the derby?

There are a couple of young players there you know, they would be worth looking at, there is sort of a mix between mature players and young players, Aaron Brilly is a good player, and there is a few more there that need to be looked at, and I think they maybe need this season and doing well to peak. 

Well it’s already a progression from the last two seasons. 

Ok first time at an EL Classico derby, midlands derby, what should I expect from atmosphere wise tonight, or getting to the ground, or ….will there be any argy bargy……

No no, I dont think that goes on, there might be some slagging between the two sets of supporters, but nothing more than that. It’s good humoured bit of fun.

Ok John thanks, lovely to talk to you.

John has to get back to work now………………………….

Work is right!

Thanks John

Your welcome.

 

Overall

Athlone Town

Overall I had a good day out in Athlone, the town is great to walk around, lots to do and see, a lot of history on show, and the sounds of the Shannon flowing through the city is energetic to the soul. The town is blessed to have so many good boozers too, and it was great to finally tick off Sean’s Bar on my long list of places to see  and do before I…………whatever……..and it was good to see a local derby between Athlone and Longford. Not quite Barca-Madrid or Celtic-Rangers, but for the locals here it’s important to have the bragging rights over the ones up the road! 

Will be back in this town again for another day out for sure in the near future. Top class. 

Review of day here in video form!

 

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Bern, Swiss football away days

Bern, Swiss football away days 9

For my next Swiss football groundhop, I would be doing my usual bar crawl thing but this time taking in not the one, but two football games. FC Breitenrain the first game, and the famous Young Boys of Bern (German), or Berne (French), the second. Football, beer, and fun, all in Switzerland’s capital city. 

Bern, Swiss football away daysBern, a German speaking city and capital of the canton of Bern, with a population of about 140,000, is the de facto capital of Switzerland. Technically the Swiss Confederation, with its many Canton’s, has no capital but since Bern has so many governmental institutions within its walls, such as the Swiss parliament and the Supreme court to name but two, it is referred to by the Swiss as their “federal city“. It is the political HQ of the country.

The name Bern came from the time, according to local legend and folktales, of Berchtold V, Duke of Zähringen, the founder of the city, who vowed to name the city after the first animal he met on the hunt, and this turned out to be a bear. Thus the bear is the heraldic animal of the seal and coat of arms of the city from at least the 1220s. Since the 16th century, the city has had a bear pit, the Bärengraben, to house its heraldic animals. Currently there are four bears, now kept in an open-air enclosure nearby, and two other young bears, a present by the Russian president, are kept in Dählhölzli zoo.

Bern, Swiss football away days

The city has some early Celtic history, having had a fortified town in the north of Bern early second century BC. Then Romans came along, some Burgundy rulers, the Romans again but this time under the Holy Roman Empire, after that in 1353, Bern joined the Swiss Confederacy, becoming one of the eight cantons of the formative period from 1353 to 1481. It was also occupied by French troops in 1798 during the French Revolutionary Wars but the local citizens regained control of their city again in 1802.

Enough with the history, let’s look at a bit of geography! Bern lies on the Swiss plateau in the canton of Bern, slightly west of the centre of Switzerland and just north of the Bernese Alps. The city was originally built on a hilly peninsula surrounded by the river Aare, but over time, grew out towards the west of the boundaries and, due to immigration, expanded. From the hills you can get great views of the Old Town and the Aare river which loops around the city. 

Bern, Swiss football away daysIt is definitely a city rich in ancient architecture and lots of lovely sights to see. A very pleasurable experience walking round the streets, while looking for some bars to pop into, cough! The historic old medieval town (“Altstadt“) in the centre of Bern became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, and includes an elaborate medieval clock tower with moving puppets and a covered shopping promenade, all along a beautifully cobbled street. 

Some notable people who have lived in this great city include clever clogs Albert Einstein, working in a patent office while thinking up the theory of relativity, Vladimir Lenin working on his revolutionary thoughts, Mikhail Bakunin the father of anarchy, Rodolphe Lindt chocolate maker, and Johann David Wyss who is best remembered for the famous The Swiss Family Robinson book. 

Getting to the city is easy enough as it is fairly central in the country and the train station connects to all the major cities of Switzerland and beyond. It is the country’s second busiest train station. Bern is also well connected to other cities by several motorways.

Pub watch 

Burgundy Bar

Bern, Swiss football away days

Address: Speichergasse 15, 3011 Bern 

www.bern.com/de/detail/burgunder-bar

Bern, Swiss football away daysFirst bar of the day was this little place in the heart of the city called the Burgundy Bar. Small but cozy, at that time of the day, which was midday, it was quiet. Easy to pass by as the frontage looks more like a discreet bookshop rather than a bar. 

Had a regular lager, tasted fine. Served with no fuss, all A.O.K 

Drank up and went. Not much to say really as it was so quiet and not much happening this time of the morning. 

 

Altes Tramdepot Brauerei & Restaurant

Bern, Swiss football away days

Address: Grosser Muristalden 6, Bern 3006

www.altestramdepot.ch/de/home

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Crossed the famous bridge to venture over to Altes Tramdepot Brauerei & Restaurant (Old Tram Depot Brewery Restaurant), which was highlighted in all the guide books. It didn’t disappoint as the place looked brilliant, beer flowing everywhere, big copper vats on sight, Swiss style food served hot from the kitchen and the place was heaving with excitement. 

Bern, Swiss football away daysSat down and asked the friendly bar man (Alex) for some advice on what to order. Alex was kind enough to give me the low down on a few of the house specials. All beers are unfiltered, natural and are made without chemical additives. I opted for their Canadian Red Ale, which sure enough tasted fantastic. Even though the place was very crowded it was very easy to get a seat and also service was fast and efficient. I’d say you might have to wait if ordering food, didn’t look to be much spare room in the restaurant side of the place. It is a big place though so you never know!

Good vibe to the place, very friendly staff, and a great setting looking out the window at the River Aare that runs through the city. Has an outdoor terrace but it was a bit nippy the day I went, better leave that for the summer time. 

Bern, Swiss football away daysThey do offer tours of the brewery and explain how they make the beers, but unfortunately it’s only available in German. Hopefully they will offer an English tour in the future. 

Was stuck for time so didn’t grab another pint (probably should have!) but was well impressed with this place and if back in the city for a football day out will be sure to reconnect. Recommended! 

The Old City Irish Pub

Bern, Swiss football away days

Address: Kramgasse 28 – 3011 Bern

https://www.oldcity.ch/

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Bern, Swiss football away daysMade my way to the “Altstadt“, along the cobbled streets in search of an Irish bar. On the phone it got me the exact location but I just couldn’t spot it, until I noticed that there are some shops and the like doing business at below street level, down cellars. So looking closely I managed to find the small Irish bar, at ground level, and down some steep stairs, so be careful!

Was a small bar for sure, but very cozy, and all set out in the typical style one might expect for an Irish bar. Was happy to see they had Smithwicks, my go to beer when back home in the old country, so naturally went for a pint of Kilkenny’s finest, even though they also had Guinness and Murphys, so it was a tough choice!

Bern, Swiss football away daysGot chatting to the bar man, Mark, who was very friendly, chatting about football and the bar. I was surprised when he told me that the bar does live music. I couldn’t quite picture where exactly they would play in such a small bar, but then it is an Irish bar so I guess those considerations never really matter! Even musicians from as far as Ireland itself were due to play in the place over the next few weeks! Nice one. 

Got a quick chat with two friendly lassies that walked in for a quick drink. They were telling me how much they loved Ireland and were eager to get back. I dont know, the rain can be a pain!

Nice bar which is small and cosy in the heart of the old city, good pint, friendly service, will be back for sure if ever back in Bern for a football day out. Recommended. 

 

GOAL, Die Berner Fussball Bar

Bern, Swiss football away days

Address: Junkerngasse 1, 3011 Bern

https://www.goalfussballbar.ch/

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Bern, Swiss football away daysNot far away from the Irish bar, just down the street and at the corner is a football bar called Die Berner Fussball Bar. Another bar in a cellar where you have to step down into. 

But what a nice man cave of football and beer. Brilliant set up, with a lot of football memorabilia displayed all around the place, a decent little bar, and has live football on the box (Spurs V Arsenal while I was there). Brilliant.

Bern, Swiss football away daysSat at the bar and ordered a Felsenau lager, a local brew. Bar was busy enough, a few Young Boy fans having their beers. Funnily enough I seemed to be the only one drinking from a large beer glass, while the young boys were all sipping beer from small glasses, typical Swiss style! Can never understand that kind of thinking, if you have a chance to drink beer, ALWAYS GO LARGE!!!!

Bern, Swiss football away daysNot much banter as everyone was concentrating on the football, but the bar man was friendly enough, had a nice demeanor. I spent the time just looking at all the scarves and shirts behind the bar. Boy I love stuff like this!

Beer was fine, atmosphere was good, quiet for a football bar but it was early enough I guess, pre match tension in the air perhaps.

A sofa at the back in front of a big screen, a pool table, table football, and a nice cozy bar, all the boxes ticked for those who like the comforts of live football on the box and free flowing beer. If you are a fan of the beautiful game then this is a must see on your itinerary to Berne. Recommended! 

 

Barbière

Bern, Swiss football away days

Address: Breitenrainplatz 40, 3014, Bern 

http://www.barbiere-bern.ch/

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Just before I ventured off to see Young Boys of Bern I toddled into Barbière, a hipster “trendy” cunty place. Ordered their own home brewed beer, a pale ale of some type, which wasn’t too bad at all it has to be said. Place was busy, interior was the usual minimalist, modern, design-oriented look, and the vibe was relaxed. Also have a decent outside seating area set up for those who like to chill in the cool Bern Spring air. 

Bern, Swiss football away daysHave to say the three young women working behind the bar were pretty hard working, handling all sorts of interesting orders and all with good grace, excellent to see such good work in a bar. Was really good to see such friendly staff that care for the work they do providing good beer to the thirsty masses, take a bow the bar ladies of Barbière.

Not a bad place if you like your hipster joints, friendly enough place, good pint, served fast and with a smile. Can’t complain! 

 

FC Breitenrain

Bern, Swiss football away days

Arena/Stadium: Sports field Spitalacker

Location: Spitalackerstrasse 34, 3013 Bern

Capacity: 1,500

Manager: Martin Lengen

Founded: 1994

League: 1. Liga Promotion

Club home page 

info@fcbreitenrain.ch

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Bern, Swiss football away daysFC Breitenrain Bern are a football team from Bern, Switzerland, who currently play in in the 1. Liga Promotion, the third tier of Swiss football.
The club, who play in red and white, were founded in 1994 as a merger of the clubs FC Minerva Bern and FC Zähringia, two rather small but old Bern clubs. The current logo of FC Breitenrain consists of the two logos of both merged teams. 

The club plays out of the Spitalacker Sports Ground (“Spitz”). A small ground with a wooden stand, but which was originally the old ground of BSC Young Boys, who in 1931 moved to the their new stadium Wankdorf! Originally both FC Minerva Bern and FC Zähringia ground shared for many a year, but with little real success for both teams, so a merger was always the best option in a small ground with little support. 

A team where some well established top league players like to “wind down” their career, and with some plucky management, has seen the club get promotion again and again since its merger to where it lies now, a well established team in the Swiss third tier. Not bad for a smallish team with a rickety old ground, albeit with a plastic pitch!

 

To the game

FC Breitenrain 1 – 1 FC Basel II

02.03.2019  • Spitalacker, Bern

Attendance: 372

                                                                 • Robin Huser (79′ Basel)

                                                                  • Enes Ciftci  (85′) 

Bern, Swiss football away daysGood enough game from two teams who are mid table in their league. Possibly Basel could have shaded it in terms of play and style, but FC Breitenrain battled hard all game and deserved the draw in the end.

Ciftci scoring a crafty goal near the end of the game to equalize for the home team, after Basel scored from a rebound in the 79th minute.

Bern, Swiss football away days

Was hanging out with the few Basel fans at the game, having the chat and the banter.

Also the staff manning the little bar in the clubhouse were well friendly and nice enough to chat to me in English and inquire about my visit. 

Basic ground that could do with a small upgrade but kept going with a good dedicated team of volunteers and the locals who come out to support when called upon. 

Enjoyed my few hours here. Beer, the chat, football and another ground ticked off the box. Love it. 

Goals here.

 

BSC Young Boys

Bern, Swiss football away days

Arena/Stadium: Suisse Wankdorf Bern

Location: Papiermühlestrasse 71, 3014 Bern

Capacity: 32,000 

Manager: Gerardo Seoane

Founded: 1898

League: Swiss Super League

Club home page 

Honours:
Swiss Championships: 16 (Last 2019)
Swiss Cup: 13 (Last 1987)

info@bscyb.ch

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Bern, Swiss football away daysFounded in 1898, BSC Young Boys, or Berner Sport Club Young Boys to give its full official title, is a Swiss professional football club based in Bern, Switzerland, that plays in the Swiss Super League, the top tier in Swiss football. It is widely referred to as Young Boys, and the club’s colors are yellow and black. They are one of the longest-established and most successful clubs in Switzerland, with 12 Championship and 6 Swiss Cup titles. They play out of the the Stade de Suisse Wankdorf since 2005, the second biggest stadium in the country, an all seater stadium with a capacity of 32,000 people. 

University of Bern students, brothers Max and Oscar Schwab, Hermann Bauer and Franz Kehrli founded the Fussballclub Young Boys on 14 March 1898. The four of them chose yellow and black to be the club colours and the name Young Boys was created in reference to the then very popular Basel club Old Boys. They first started out playing from FC Bern’s grounds, before moving to the city centre in the sports grounds in Schwellenmätteli. Admitted into the Swiss Football Association in 1901, it didn’t take them long to get their first Swiss Championship beating FC Neuchâtel 5-0 to clinch the title in 1903. Not bad for a team of only 5 years existence and coming from out of the shadows of FC Bern. From 1909 to 1911, they won a hat trick of Championships, while at the time playing out of Spitalacker-Platz. 

Bern, Swiss football away daysAfter WW1 the team moved to Kirchfeld, winning another league in 1920. In 1925 the club moved again, but this time to the new stadium called the Wankdorf, with a capacity at the time of over 20,000. YB now had a nice spanking new stadium, which annoyed their city rivals FC Bern no end, because the older association continued to play at the small and outdated Neufeldplatz. A championship win came in the new stadium when Young Boys once again won the title in 1929, and a first Cup title came in 1930 in front of a home crowd of 30,000 (Capacity expanded in time, upto 60,000 for the 1954 World Cup!) crowding Wankdorf as the YB beat FC Aarau 1–0. And that was to be it for a good long while, 15 years in fact until the next league title or cup victory!

After WW2, in 1945, came the next success for YB winning their second Cup against FC St. Gallen with a 2–0 victory at Espenmoos. But within two seasons the unthinkable happened, the club were relegated for the first time in their history, down to the National League B. It would be three seasons until they returned to the highest league where they would then remain for over 50 years.

The golden times for the club were in the 1950’s. Under the German player-coach Albert Sing, who was a relative novice at the time, the Young Boys were four times in a row Swiss champions (1957 to 1960) and brought in 1953 (3-1 V FC Zurich) and 1958 (4-1 V Grasshoppers) the Cup title to Bern for the 3rd and 4th time. During this time (1958–59 season.) YB reached the semi-finals of the European Cup, eventually going out of the competition 3-1 on aggregate to French team Stade de Reims. Winning the first leg 1-0 with 60,000 home fans was not enough for them to advance, but it is still the best that any Swiss team have ever done in the European Cup, and probably will never be matched in all honesty! Albert Sing left BSC Young Boys in 1964 and is still the most successful coach in the history of the club.

In the late 1960s and ’70s, little success was to be found at the club. It wasn’t until 1977 that another Cup was won, the 5th under coach Kurt Linder, beating St Gallen one nil. 

Bern, Swiss football away daysBut the Championship remained elusive, that is until the early 80’s when success came under manager Alexander Mandziara and his brand of attacking football that brought a title win in 1986, the first in 26 years, and 11th overall. Another Cup victory, the 6th came in 1987, when Young Boys defeated Servette FC 4–2. Beating Real madrid one nil at home in the European Cup, albeit losing the tie 5-1, another rare highlight in the 80’s.

Young Boys developed financial difficulties in 1997 and so, for the first time since the 1946–47 season, the club were relegated to the National League B (today’s Challenge League). Things turned worse as the club were found to be over 1.7 million Swiss francs (€1.08 million) in debt. They were even starting another relegation in the face as many of the team left. But a drive for more money, through an increased share option in the club, helped the club to stay afloat and build a strong enough team for promotion, which they achieved in 2001. 

In 2005 the club moved into the new premises in the new Wankdorf stadium, the Stade de Suisse.

In 2018, after a break of 32 years, the BSC Young Boys, following a 2-1 home win over Luzern, became Swiss Champion for the 12th time. They followed up that success when in August 2018, they qualified for the UEFA Champions League Group Stage for the first time in their history, after defeating Dinamo Zagreb with a 3-2 aggregate score in play-off round. The coach with the midas touch, Adi Hütter, leaves YB after nearly three years to take up the reigns with Eintracht Frankfurt, already making an impact there, going for an CL place! 

As I write this (15/04/2019) they just added another title, their 13th after taking the Swiss Championship again for 2019, plowing ahead by about 20 points to cap off another memorable season. A great season where as I mentioned they qualified for the CL group stage and while not doing very well, they did cap it off by beating Juventus 2-1 at home, and yes Ronnie and all their stars were playing too!!! (had a nice bet on that one too!)

Bern, Swiss football away daysI like watching Young Boys, they were definitely a team of unbeatables under Adi Hütter.  Winning back to back Championships is some feat, but they did it in style, taking total control of the league and losing games at a rare rate. Watching Kevin Mbabu bombing down the wings is a treat, its a shame that the Swiss national manager, Vladimir Petković, takes the piss and continues to ignore his celar skills and ability. No wonder the Swiss national team are dull and dour. Other players that stand out to me are the Goalie, Marco Wölfli, defenders, 
Mohamed Ali Camara and the captain Steve von Bergen, a midfielder, and upfront, Christian Fassnacht, another player that should get more game time with the national squad. Young Boys are not just a winning team at the moment, but a team that also play good football, which is sometimes difficult to get in Switzerland!

The Stade de Suisse is certainly a nice modern style ground, easy to get to from the city centre (Tram no. 9) and no problems with general access. Costing 350 million Swiss francs, it was built on the grounds of the legendary Wankdorf Stadium, legendary for its rather interesting name, which was demolished in 2001. The new stadium is an all seater, solar powered and has a plastic pitch (disappointedly). The stadium was one of the playing venues of the Euro 2008 championships, during which it hosted three group matches. It has also hosted the Swiss national team and the Swiss Cup finals on numerous occasions but as it has a plastic pitch these types of games are severely limited (Reverted to grass in the Euros). When the football is not on the stadia can be used to host conferences and business and social functions, while the main area can be used for concerts where the attendance can expand to 45,000. The likes of Robbie Williams, Celine Dion, Bon Jovi,  Bruce Springsteen, Pink, Muse, Depeche Mode, AC / DC, One Direction, The Foo Fighters and the Red Hot Chili Peppers have all played here. The stadium is also home to one of the largest shopping centers in Switzerland!

Bern, Swiss football away daysThe old ground was site of the 1954 World Cup final where Hungary were beaten 3–2 by West Germany in front of 62,500 excited fans, at that time a huge upset as the “Magnificent Magyars”, with the legendary Ferenc Puskás in their team, were the Brazil of their time. But that’s the Germans for you, grinding out a win no matter. 

Tickets for a YB game can be bought online (through Ticketcorner), or at the Fan Shop at the stadium. It is easy enough to get tickets as YB games dont tend to sell out. General admission tickets are CHF 25.00.

To the game

Young Boys 1 – 0 FC Sion

02.03.2019  • Stade de Suisse

• Ulisses Garcia (90’+1′)      

Attendance: 25,365

Young Boys left it very late in a game they, more or less, dominated. Garcia scoring the crucial goal for the Young Boys in the 91st minute against FC Sion.

Bern, Swiss football away daysPretty much the whole game was Young boys attacking, especially down the wings and mostly with Kevin Mbabu whipping in perfect crosses for the YB forwards to hash it up again and again. Love watching Mbabu, easily my favourite player in this league. I do wonder when, and not if, he will leave to better pastures. 

Although the YB forwards really should have put some of their early chances away with ease, it also has to be said that the Sion goalie, K. Fickentscher, was pretty immense, pulling off a few one handed saves that kept his team in it right to the end. 

In the end the goal came, Garcia kind of fluking a shot that bounced off the ground and sailed into the net, very fortuitous I think.  But they deserved the win and Young Boys again look like they will steam roll this league. 

Decent game, in a nice ground with all the mod cons, supporters were fine showing a nice bit of colour and the odd chant at times. Had a few expensive beers in plastic cups and fast food that I could have otherwise done without but heh that’s par for the course in these modern day stadiums. 

Highlights of the game here.

 

Overall

Bern, Swiss football away days

Loved the city of Bern, loved the cobbled Medieval streets, loved the underground bunker style shops, restaurants and bars, loved the views from above of the red tiled buildings of the Old Town and the bendy river. Many good bars with plenty of good beer. Yeah this is truly a great place to come for a footballing groundhop. 

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