MURPHY
XTHE United Park checklist - two teams, referee, match ball...and Larry McQuillan. For as long as he cares to remember, Larry has been following the fortunes of Drogheda United - not as a spectator, but behind a camera, capturing the moments that have helped shape the history of the club.
In truth, Larry was born into the United world, originally from the Windmill Road, then moving to Boyle O’Reilly and Lourdes Stadium country, before returning to the Windmill Road.
His father Larry played with Drogheda Utd and he was a big influence on the young Larry who recalled seeing the crowds heading into the games, while his mother was also involved, working in the canteen area with Bridie Kerr and the ladies committee.
He was still a kid when he realised how to get into the Stadium for free - sell a few programmes outside the ground and then make your way in when the job was done.
He bought his first camera when he was 12 with his Confirmation money - one of Woolworth’s finest!
It was the late 60s when he started taking pictures at the Stadium, the days of Mick Meegan and Mick Fairclough.
His working life began as a barman in the Round House at the North Quay and then he went into BD in 1970 and spent 45 years there until he retired three years ago.
He had a darkroom and kept his photography up until the kids arrived - and the darkroom became a bedroom.
‘I really started back in 2005 when digital came in,’ he states.
And that co-incided with a great period for Drogheda Utd, European matches and a league and cup success giving him plenty of scope for celebration shots alone!
Also working with Extra Time, Larry says the best game he’s taken pictures at was the Setanta Cup final in Belfast when Drogheda beat Linfield on penalties.
The FAI Cup final with Sligo was
THE BEST VENUE FOR PICTURES IS THE AVIVAAND GALWAY HASVERY GOOD LIGHTS TOO.
another special one - apart fromthe result.
‘In the Mick Cooke era, I also had the EA Cup final with Rovers which we won.’
He recalls a previous final as well - in 1970 - when he got soaked at Dalymount Park as United lost to Limerick.
‘ The best venue for pictures is the Aviva and Galway has very good lights too,’ he adds.
Given that he has seen so many matches and so many players, no better man to say who are the best he’s seen play down the years for the Drogs.
‘In terms of goalkeepers, I’d have to say Robbie Horgan, Dan Connor, Sean O’Brien, Cecil Baxter, Paddy Henderson, Tony Swann and Leo Byrne.
‘ There were plenty of great defenders too, Brian Shelley, Dave Shawcross, Martin Donnelly, Matt Bradley, Joe Colwell, John Cowan, Tony Macken, Ray Treacy, Jason Gavin, Graham Gartland, Colm Tresson, Simon Webb, Ray McGuigan, Junior Campbell and Dusty Flanagan included.
‘Junior was very underated and I saw him play against George Best with Cork Hibs and he didn’t give him a touch.’
His midfield masters were Ray Keogh, Frank McEwan, Theo Dunne, Joe Wilson, Brendan Tully,Martin Murray, Shane Barrett, Stuart Byrne, Paul Keegan, Mick Neville, Gel Martin, Jerome Clarke and Liam Beckett.
Strikers are in abundance, Fabio O’Brien, Eamon Zayed, Stephen Geoghegan, Pat Cullen, Ronnie Whelan, Mick Fairclough, Arthur Fitzsimons, Cathal Muckian,Mick Lynch, Gerry Brammell, Mick Leech, Paddy Dillon, Andy Myler and Guy Bates.
But with every good team, came good opposing players.
‘Jason Byrne, no matter who he played for, Shels, Bray or Bohs, he always got goals against us.
‘George O’Halloran when he was with Cork was another and Alfie Hale at Waterford.’
He keenly remembers great games, one against Rovers at Milltown ending in a 5-5 draw. ‘Liam Cullen had a great game that day,’ he recalls.
The best European game he attended was in Estonia, staying with the team to boot.
Outside of United, he has taken a keen interest in the fortunes of Newfoundwell, the top junior side in the town.
‘Paul Crowley and Danny Gartland are great lads and I know Paul from his Drogheda days.
‘ They have a good set up and I go along and do the pictures for them when I can.’
But will Larry be back covering Drogheda in the Premier Division next season?
‘ The First Division will be a very competitive league this year.
‘If we make it into the top four it will be a great achievement and hopefully we can do that. It would be very difficult to win the league.’