LILYWHITE FANS LOUD AND PROUD IN THEIR SUPPORT
With the immense excitement building from the start of the week, there really was only one place to be on Wednesday night and that was Oriel Park for Dundalk FC’s Champions League first round tie with Rosenborg from Norway.
By the time I got to Oriel Park it was a sun-drenched evening and the street was packed full of Dundalk supporters ready to cheer on their heroes and the first two people I met up with were brothers Damien and Raymond Keenan from Dromiskin and Castlebellingham respectively. They said Patrick McEleney was the man they were sure to swing it for us and they’d be happy to have a 1-0 win to take to Norway this week.
Beside them I caught up with Thomas Begley originally from Meadow Grove but now living in Drogheda who was with Jimmy Sweeney from Braganstown and they were very optimistic for a home win on the night.
After this I got a word with Donal Clarke from Ardee who said once we got a good result he’d be happy.
Not too far away I met up with Fiona Sweeney from Dromiskin who was with her dad Jimmy and she was in no doubt that we were gonna win.
Making my way through the crowds I got talking to John Molloy from Haggardstown who was quietly confident of a 2-1 win and were sure ‘ the town’ were strong enough to do it.
After this I headed for a chat with Jim Keating from Hyde Park, Carol Keating from McSwiney Street and Arthur Burns from Greenacres who told me they were sure it was going to be 2—0 and shouted “C’mon de town”.
Not too far away I then got talking to father and son Tommy McCabe from Dunleer and Stephen from Garrybawn who told me they are sponsoring Michael Duffy this year. They were up for making some noise on the night with John Barry originally from Kerry but now a season ticket holder from Mullaharlin Park. He told me that if I wanted anymore information from him I’d have to consult his agent who was still down in the Jockeys!
I then caught up with three lads Andrew Brodigan, Barry Hearty and John Lennon who were in a hurry to get to the ground and were looking forward to another great night of European football.
After this I met up with Noel Doyle from Sutton Court who said it was going to be a fantastic game and a win of a draw would be great for the town.
I headed over for a chat with Orla Crilly from Pearse Park who was with Dundalk FC’s number one fan Logan Carroll who was there for a win and no less would do!
Another man who is a regular in Oriel was Padraig McKeown from Muirhevna who was with Niall Marry who is home from New York and couldn’t wait to see the Lilywhites in action in Europe.
Making my way through the crowds I got talking to Paul Kinahan from Garrybawn who was looking forward to the game and wanted a big shout out for son Joshua who couldn’t make it because he was working.
How come I can never recognise people in shades? Yes, next I got taking to my old friends Michelle Hillen and Anthony Todd from Belfry Avenue who were very optimistic about the game and told me they were heading for the second leg in Norway this week. After checking the weather there, they were looking to get their hands on Dundalk FC wet-gear because it rains more in Rosenborg that it does here.
Not too long later I caught up with birthday girl Isobel Williams from Kingswood who was celebrating her 15th at the game with Kerry and Molly Williams along with Ursula and Aidan Lawless also from Kingswood and yes, they were hoping for a double celebration on the night.
After this I headed over for a quick word with Paul McCague and Davy Mulligan both from Marian Park who told me they were there to see a win for Dundalk and were really looking forward to the game.
Not too long later I caught up with John, Eoin, Sean and Aine Cassidy from Blackrock who couldn’t wait to get in and said that nothing short of a win would do them.
One man who was in good form as he headed in was Des Casey from Carrick Road who told me he was hopeful of a good result for the town.
Next, I caught up with my old friend David Caldwell who was on official duty making sure that everyone was heading in the right direction and all had their tickets.
I then got a quick word with Chris Clarke in ‘ the black’n’white wendy house’ who was fresh out of cones, 99s and sticks of rock, he did have laminates, but you’re hardly going to want to chew on one during a nervous 90 minutes I thought?
Next I got a word with brothers Colin Casey from Avondale Park and Paul Casey from Ard Na Mara who told me they’d be happy enough with 2-1 win.
After this I met up with Tony Ryan from Parnell Park who said they were up against a good team but were well fit to get a good result out of it.
Finally, before I departed I a word with Cathal Copas from St. Alphonsus Road and his younger brother Gerry from Old Muirhevna who said they needed to get a good result to keep the game alive and it would mean it is all guns blazing for the return tie this week.
The game finished a 1-1 draw and Dundalk did their fans proud, now it’s off to Rosenborg this week and sneak a 1-0 win to takes us through to the next round!