Tommy Victory and the Square Penny

I wonder what became of these guys? Below is a story from 50 years ago and features ‘ The Square Penny’

‘ THE real story of the Square Penny? According to lend guitarist Tommy Victory, it is one of continuing disappointments, with cancellations and no drawing power in their own town.

A familiar story ? Maybe, but how is this for really bad luck. Last Wednesday night, the regular group in Zhivago, the Four Faces, could not play because of illness. At very short notice, the Square Penny travelled to Dublin to play.

In Bobby Russell’s own words : ‘ We went up to the club, set up our gear and got a great sound. Then the lads went out for a while, before they were supposed to go on. When they returned, I had to tell them that the booking had been cancelled — the manager of the club said they were too young to play there. I am used to cancellations for logical reasons, but this really takes the biscuit — the lads are perfectly capable of catering to any age group that was present.’

The lads had a further disappointment on Saturday night, when they played to what amounted to a gathering of friends in Sergeant Pepper’s. Although they felt badly about it, there Is no question of giving up, and Tommy expressed the feeling of the whole group when he said : “Even if we played to empty halls for a year, I would still not give up the group. It really means everything to me and to to all of us and we will keep on trying.’

Keri Ann and the Apple Blossoms

The brilliant Keri Ann Sheridan and the Apple Blossoms are a wonderful combination and if you are venturing to Dublin to see the lights just before Christmas pop in to Arnotts for a listen.

The group will be entertaining the crowds in their own unique way on Monday December 23 and Tuesday December 24 between 11am and 4pm.

Keith Wallace is top man

WELL done to Keith Wallace, the man behind Drogheda Marsh Crescent, who has just been rewarded for his years of effort by being named clubman of the year.

Kern on the rise

Louth contemporary Folk and Trad trio Kern are in the Droichead Arts Centre, on Friday December 13th to launch their eagerly awaited second album The Left & The Leaving. A perfect Christmas present from this partnership of musical excellence.

Wheelo at Albion

Don’t forget, the annual Wheelo tournament is taking place again on St Stephen’s Day, this time at Albion Rovers. All support welcome. Presentation and awards in Donegans that night with finger food and music.

Festival was a success story

WELL done to all concerned with the first Drogheda Christmas Festival.

Although the West Street end of things had to be pulled due to a weather warning (Christmas festivals should really be held in mid July), the event went ahead with everything you could imagine down by the river Boyne at Scotch Hall.

Fair play to the d Hotel and Scotch Hall Shopping Centre for helping out with spots for the various traders and overall, it proved a great location - especially during the rain on Sunday!

Here’s to 2020!

Of course every Drogheda United fan would love to move to a new stadium and hopefully it will happen if the likes of Sport Ireland and the club can come up with a deal, now that funding has been halted to the FAI. But one thing you’ll find on your travels, the away end is an absolute palace at United Park compared to some places in the league. I’ll mention Dundalk, Finn Harps and Cabinteely to start. Those clubs really need to get their act together when it comes to facilities.

A very good point was made to me recently about the fact that the public toilets in Drogheda close at weekends. The person concerned explained that they didn’t fancy going into a pub, hotel or cafe to use the toilets, so what is the issue.

I think I can guess what the residents of Castleview in Clogherhead want for 2020 - never mind Christmas. It’s a few ton of tarmac and maybe over the course of a day or less, the roads in their estate could actually look like roads. I was out there last week and the problem has gotten worse.