2021 Season • Premier Division • Vol. 33 • No. 03 Tues 20 April • Richmond Park, Inchicore, D8 • KO:7.45PM
Darragh Burns
Editorial
Ronan O’Flaherty
Ruairi Kavanagh
@stpatsprogramme
Welcome back to a screen near you for our first midweek game of the 2021 season. The flying start to the season has been exactly what everyone needed, and the attitude, commitment and desire of the team is great to see. We've put together another action-packed issue of the Saint, with loads of reading on the Saints, Irish football and indeed football in general. Should be something for everyone to delve into during the course of the week. Thanks to Joe on design and all our contributors for continuing to deliver. We want to get the Saint out to as wide a network of people as possible so please share it on social media where and when you can and get the word out. We are starting some new features in the course of coming issues, and if you would like to be involved in any way with our existing material, or have some ideas yourself, then we would love to hear from you. We can't promise we will use every idea, but
we do our best to accommodate as much as possible once we feel it is suitable. Anyone who saw the recent drone and behindthe scenes style footage from recent games will be aware that the club has improved greatly in terms of social media presence and communications in general. It's great to see and there are some great people working hard to make it happen. Long may it continue! We have a busy few weeks coming up with some back to back home games, but we'll continue to work hard to deliver a fresh issue for each game. Let us know what you think of the Saint and get in touch via email stpatsprogramme@gmail.com or you can get me on Twitter @stpatsprogramme . Roll on the game! Enjoy the match and stay safe, Ruairi Kavanagh Editor The Saint
Contents 10
Dodges Data
32
Red & White Wonderland
18
On This Day
46
Wembley 66
22
Supersaints
48
Club History
28
Opposition Watch
52
Local Heroes
Programme Production Editor Ruairi Kavanagh
Design Joe O’Rourke
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.3 • St Patrick’s Athletic V Waterford
Photo Sportsfile & Inpho 3
Fáilte Tá áthas orainn fáilte a chur roimh mbainistíocht, imreoirí agus lucht tacaíochta Chlub Pheile Pórt Lairge go Phairc Richmond anocht.
Welcome We are pleased to welcome the management, players and supporters of Waterford Football Club to Richmond Park tonight.
Tonight’s Squads
President’s Welcome
St Patrick’s Athletic
Waterford FC
Tom O’Mahony
Manager:
Head Coach: Kevin Sheedy
Alan Mathews
Head Coach: Stephen O’Donnell 1 Vítězslav Jaroš
GK o
2 John Mountney
D
3 Ian Bermingham
D
4 Sam Bone
D
o
5 Lee Desmond
D
o
6 Jamie Lennon
M
7 Robbie Benson 8 Chris Forrester
Coaches:
Good Evening
Mike Newell
1 Brian Murphy
GK o
o
2 Darragh Power
D
o
o
3 Cameron Evans
D
o
4 Oscar Brennan
D
o
5 Josh Collins
D
o
o
6 Kyle Ferguson
D
o
M
o
7 Shane Griffin
M
o
M
o
8 Adam O’ Reilly
M
o
o
9 Daryl Murphy
F
o
9 Nahum Marvin-Lambert F 10 Ronan Coughlan
F
o
10 Cian Kavanagh
F
o
11 Jay McClellend
F
o
11 James Waite
F
o
12 Matty Smith
F
o
12 John Martin
M
o
15 Billy King
F
o
13 Matthew Connor
GK o
16 Alfie Lewis
M
o
14 Niall O’Keeffe
M
o
17 Darragh Burns
F
o
15 Jamie Mascoll
D
o
18 Ben McCormack
M
o
16 Katlego Mashigo
M
o
20 Shane Griffin
D
o
17 Alex Phelan
F
o
21 Barry Murphy
GK o
18 Solowale Oluwatunmise M
o
25 Josh Keeley
GK o
19 Jack Stafford
D
o
28 Cian Kelly
D
o
22 Paul Martin
GK o
29 Paddy Barrett
D
o
23 Prince Mutswunguma
F
31 Kian Corbally
M
o
Daniel Norris
M
o
Jamie Whelan
M
o
o
/stpatsfc stpatsfc /stpatsfc
Match Officials
/stpatsfctv
Referee Graham Kelly
info@stpatsfc.com stpatsfc.com
4
Half-Time
Assistant 1 Daragh Keegan
Full-Time
Assistant 2 Chris Campbell
@jimmyedwards41
4th Official Paul McLaughlin
MOTM
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
You're very welcome to Richmond Park, albeit virtually, for this evening's game and I want to extend a warm welcome to the players, staff and officials of Waterford FC. In particular, it's great to have Kevin Sheedy here in his new role. Like all Irish football fans of my vintage, Kevin will always be celebrated for his outstanding service in the green jersey and, most especially, for a never to be forgotten moment in Cagliari in June 1990. In dispossessing Steve McMahon and firing past Peter Shilton to earn a deserved draw against England, Kevin not only became the first Republic of Ireland player to score in the World Cup Finals but also showed the world that Ireland's exploits in the 1988 Euros (including beating the same England) had not been a freak event - we were now a footballing nation capable of holding our own against the heavyweights on a consistent basis. Of course, one of the reasons we treasure memories such as those is that, for small nations, those eras don't come around too often. We are undeniably in the doldrums at the moment as an international force, but that's the inevitable cycle for countries such as us. The generation of players who took us to the Euro finals in 2012 and 2016 are now, for the most part, at or close to the end of their careers. We know that there are young players with great ability who offer the prospect of more success in the future, but the transition which is now underway will inevitably bring disappointing results along the way. The first year of Stephen Kenny's stewardship was always going to be difficult, for that reason, even before the
well-documented attrition which the squad suffered due to the effect of the pandemic.
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC FOOTBALL CLUB Richmond Park 125 Emmet Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8, Ireland Tel: +353 1 454 6332
In that situation, the manager, irrespective of who it is, has to be cut a fair bit of slack, and given time and space to restructure the squad and develop a style that suits the players at his disposal. In a similar situation, Michael O'Neill went 18 months before securing his first win as Northern Ireland manager but, given space and time, took them to the 2016 Euro Finals. So it's quite disappointing to hear some of the commentary directed against Stephen in recent months, which takes no account of the difficulties he's had to cope with or the scale of the task he's undertaking. To me, it's a bit reminiscent of the snobbery which dogged Brian Kerr's time as Ireland manager when, despite very creditable results, he was never good enough for those who believed that a successful international manager could not emerge from our League. Stephen has more than proven his management abilities and I believe that, given time, his Irish team will give us new memories to go alongside the one which Kevin Sheedy created almost 31 years ago. Enjoy tonight's game
Fax: +353 1 454 6211 For media enquiries, please email press@stpatsfc.com Opening Hours: 9.30am-5pm (Mon-Fri). See our facebook page for additional opening hours on match days. HONOURS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 1951/52, 1954/55, 1955/56, 1989/90, 1995/96, 1997/98, 1998/99, 2001/02, 2013 FAI CUP 1958/59, 1960/61, 2014 LEAGUE CUP 2000/01, 2003, 2015, 2016 PRESIDENT'S CUP 2014 LEINSTER SENIOR CUP 1947/48, 1982/83, 1986/87, 1989/90, 1990/91, 1999/2000, 2011, 2014, 2019 LOISHIELD 1959/60 FAI SUPER CUP 1999 DUBLIN CITY CUP 1953/54, 1955/56, 1975/76 LFA PRESIDENT'S CUP 1952/53, 1953/54, 1955/56, 1971/72, 1990/91, 1996/97 FAI INTERMEDIATE CUP 1947/48, 1948/49, 1952/53 (Reserves)
Tom O'Mahony President St Patrick's Athletic FC
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
FAI JUNIOR CUP 1940/41 FAI YOUTH CUP 1944/45
5
The Dugout
Ronan O’Flaherty
Alan Mathews & Stephen O’Donnell
Five games into the season and 11 points have been accumulated. It's a decent start and one that we are quietly satisfied with. However, there remains much to improve on. The
The current schedule is hectic. Kick-off tonight,
games are coming thick and fast and everybody –
against Waterford, comes less than 72 hours after
from the backroom staff to the players – is working
the final whistle at Oriel Park. On Friday, we will
hard to ensure we keep moving in the right
make the long trek to Donegal. When the gap
direction.
between games is so tight, recovery becomes just as important as training. The morning after the
It's always disappointing to concede late, which is
Dundalk game, the players took a dip in the sea in
what happened at Oriel Park last Saturday evening.
Portmarnock. Yesterday, they had a good recovery
For the most part, we bossed the game against
session. They are all working hard, in games and at
Dundalk. They have some very talented players but
training. Competition for places is intense, which is
we imposed our game to good effect and it forced
exactly what you want.
them to go more direct than they are accustomed to. By the time Sam Bone put us in front, 11 minutes
We would like to welcome the management,
into the second half, we felt the goal had been
players and everyone connected with Waterford FC
coming.
to Richmond Park. Waterford manager, Kevin Sheedy, is a legend of Irish football and it's great to
Conceding an equaliser with five minutes of normal
get the opportunity to pit our wits against such an
time to go was hard to take, although Dundalk
accomplished football man.
deserve credit for upping the ante late into proceedings. They really came to life in those
We watched Waterford in action against Bohemians
closing stages and, after equalising, had chances to
last Friday and it confirmed what we already know:
win it. From our perspective, it would have been
they are a good, well-drilled team who have the
very harsh to leave Dundalk without at least a point.
players to cause problems if they are afforded time and space on the ball. They had a good win at the
OUR GAME IS ON THE BALL
Eight days earlier, the team earned a 2-0 win over
Brandywell, which is never an easy place to get a
Derry City. It was a professional performance and,
result, and could consider themselves unfortunate
even though Derry were reduced to ten men after
to concede a last-minute winner against Finn Harps.
32 minutes, we already had a strong foothold in the game. Both goals were well taken and it was nice to
Enjoy the game, wherever you are watching.
see young Darragh Burns get off the mark at senior
UMBRO TEAMWEAR
level. A proud moment for Darragh and his family,
Stephen O'Donnell and Alan Mathews
no doubt.
TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT UMBRO.IE OR CONTACT ALAN (086 7880808)/ RICHY (086 0317672) 2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
7
Oh My Word!
Ronan O’Flaherty
Ronan O’Flaherty
@ronanoflaherty
Oriel Park has been at the centre of some big days in the history of St Patrick’s Athletic. In 1988, Dessie Gorman's goal on the last day of the season not only denied St Pat's victory, but also deprived the club of a first league title since 1956. Thankfully, that itch was finally scratched two years later at United Park. April is a time of football anniversaries. It's little wonder as, before the League of Ireland reverted to a summer season 18 years ago, April was generally the time when the important stuff happened. Champions were crowned, medals handed out and tears shed over relegation. Just as we entered the final furlong in an August-to-April "winter" season, rays of sunshine began to pierce through the clouds. Those days of spring were often drenched in sunshine. Now, we inhabit a reality where the defining stages of a "summer" season are often played out in miserable weather. Those April anniversaries have been coming with great regularity for Pat's. The one worthy of loudest mention involves a trip to Oriel Park 25 years ago yesterday. Away games against Dundalk sometimes came with a nice bonus – a half-day from school. We made an adventure of it, journeying beyond the Wee County and into Armagh and Down. Newry, to be precise. The confectionery section at Woolworths was quite something. Nothing to rival it in Dublin. In the possession of an enthusiastic 12-year-old, a chunky pound sterling went a long way on sweets in 1996. Most of the items bought were of the eye-wateringly fizzy variety that left you with little feeling in your tongue other than a stinging sensation. Woolworths was followed by a stroll through the one and only Buttercrane Shopping Centre. After stopping for a bite to eat in KFC – a big treat – it was time to rev up the old Ford Fiesta and head back down to Louth for a date with destiny. Nerves kicked into gear with a fleeting
8
glimpse of the floodlights illuminating the evening sky. A huge crowd made the journey from Dublin for the game. The road leading up to Oriel Park was lined by parked coaches. The away supporters packed into the old terrace that ran the length of the pitch. First-half conditions went from glorious sunshine to torrential rain and back again. The St Pat's players, soaked to the bone, changed into fresh kits at half-time. The first half was eventful, and not just because of the weather. Despite being reduced to 10 men, Dundalk took the lead through Stephen Napier. It sparked painful memories of events at the same venue eight years earlier. The lead lasted barely a minute. As was so often the case, Ricky O'Flaherty rode to the rescue with a stunning headed equaliser. St Pat's dominated the second half and had several clear-cut chances. However, Dundalk, with nothing to play for, performed as though their existence depended on it. They were a whisker from going back in front through Brian Byrne, with goalkeeper Gareth Byrne just about clawing the ball off the line. As the clock ticked down, the draw became more likely. That wouldn't have been the end of the world. Another point at home to Shelbourne the following weekend would have been enough to secure the title. Four minutes remained when St Pat's were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box for a foul on Noel Mernagh. This was prime territory for Eddie Gormley, but Eddie was looking on from the sideline, injured. In his absence, Paul "Soupy" Campbell stepped up. The free kick that followed has aged well. It is now a greater work of art 25 years later. What Soupy's shot lacked in power, it more than made up for in accuracy and finesse. The run-up and execution were the brushstrokes of a player enjoying his finest hour. The scenes that followed were frenzied. Pat's fans punched the air with delight and hugged their neighbours. Foghorns sounded. Red flares ignited.
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
The bench goes wild in Oriel Park as Soupy’s free kick hits the back of the net.
George Hamilton perhaps put it best on Sports Stadium the following day when he said: "If Del Piero had done that for Juventus, it would have been the talk of Europe. Isn't it wonderful to think that the goal that finally won the National League was one of such quality." In some ways, this title meant more than the one six years earlier. While the 1990 success was as brilliant as it was unlikely, the subsequent cherry-picking of that team ripped the heart out of the club. Following a brush with extinction in 1992, St Pat's slowly but surely built its way back towards a position of strength. This could not have been achieved without the dedication of a group of people. Two from the group stood out – manager Brian
Kerr and chairman Tim O'Flaherty. Brian's immense contribution to St Patrick’s Athletic is rightly lauded. But what about Tim's? Tim took over the club in 1995 and immediately worked towards making it the best in Ireland. This objective was achieved, and the impact of the chairman – through his generosity and strength-of-will – cannot be overstated. Success at an Irish football club can be measured in various ways, such as ground improvements or even just a noticeable upgrade in the overall wellbeing of the club. The most obvious mark of success is silverware. In the 43 years between 1952 and 1995, St Pat's won four league titles. In the six years between 1996 and 2002, they added another four.
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
It was the golden age. Oriel Park didn't stop making an impact for Pat's after '96. It played a supporting role when the Saints were crowned champions in '98, and was again the venue when the league title was secured in 2002. Links to the Lilywhites' home ground stretch through to the present. Just three days ago, the 2021 version of St Patrick’s Athletic came within minutes of a statement victory at Oriel Park. It wasn't to be, but there is no shame in a 1-1 draw at Oriel Park. Now, it's about following up. It's always about the next game.
Any views expressed in this article are the contributor's own.
9
Dodge’s Data!
Ronan O’Flaherty
John Owens
@seidodge
League Record v Waterford HOME GAMES
35
59
AWAY GAMES
TOTAL GAMES
29
16
118
GOALS
72
45
21
13
GOALS
112
187
184
12/04/61
24/01/65
14/03/93
07/11/65
09/09/90
11/01/59
27/01/63
14/04/68
4-0
5-1
5-1
2-6
5-0
1-6
1-6
1-6
20
0-0
Last Draw! Our last drawn league game with Waterford was a 0-0 at Richmond Park on 10th March 2006.
Waterford RSC
League
0-3
14/02/20
Richmond Park
League
0-1
04/10/19
Richmond Park
League
0-2
05/07/19
Waterford RSC
League
2-1
03/05/19
Richmond Park
League
0-3
15/03/19
Waterford RSC
League
0-2
31/08/18
Richmond Park
League
League
Paul Byrne, Gareth Coughlan, Conor Kenna, Shane Guthrie
16/04/18
Richmond Park
League
1-2
Paul Osam
R Brennan
1-1
Paddy Dillon
26/02/18
Waterford RSC
League
LOI
Drogheda Utd
2-2
Conan Byrne, Ciaran Kilduff
2012
Richmond Park
LOI
UCD
2-0
Christy Fagan, Greg Bolger
2010
Carlisle Grounds
LOI
Bray Wanderers
4-0
2001
Dalymount Park
OI
Bohemians
1986
Richmond Park
LOI
Shelbourne
1980
Dalymount Park
FAI CUP FINAL Waterford
3-0
A Campion, M Leahy 2
Waterford RSC
Richmond Park
*Dundalk won 8-7 on pens.
04/09/20
08/06/18
2015
10
LOSE
Competition
C Clifford, D Clarke
Club Records in League Games with Waterford
ON THIS DAY
DRAW
Venue
GOALS
77
APRIL
WIN
Date
52
59
17
8
110
Last 10 games v Waterford
0-2 1-0 0-2
0-1
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
11
Pats 2 Derry 0 Benson 60mins, Burns 71mins
Richmond Park • 09 April 2021 • Premier Division Ronan O’Flaherty
Starting XI 1 Jaroš 2 Mountney 3 Bermingham 4 Bone 5 Desmond 6 Lennon 7 Benson 8 Forrester 10 Coughlan 11 King 12 Smith Subs 17 Burns 16 Lewis 11 McClelland 9 Melvin-Lambert
12
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
80 86 80 66
66 80 80 86
13
Squad Sponsorship
Ronan O’Flaherty
Vítězslav Jaroš
John Mountney
Ian Bermingham
Robbie Benson
Chris Forrester
Nahum Marvin-Lambert
Goalkeeper
Defender
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Midfield
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Forward
1
2
3
7
8
9
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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
AWAY SPONSOR
PATRICK COSTELLO TD
15
Squad Sponsorship Billy King
Alfie Lewis
Darragh Burns
Josh Keeley
Cian Kelly
Paddy Barrett
Forward
Midfield
Forward
Goalkeeper
Defender
Defender
15
16
17
25
28
29
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Ben McCormack
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Jamie Whelan
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Ronan O’Flaherty
20
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31
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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
17
1980 FAI Cup Final Dalymount Park.
APRIL
20 1980
WATERFORD 1 ST PATRICK'S ATH 0
FOR WATERFORD, after long last, the wait is finally over. Forty and some years after their one and only other triumph in an F.A.I. Gup final, they brought the trophy back Suirside when, at Dalymount Park yesterday, they edged a game, gallant and graphic St Patrick's Athletic by a solitary 22nd minute goal from left full back Brian Gardner. It was one of the best Blue Riband deciders for a long time, and I for one would not have quibbled at the.prospect of a replay, which I thought the Dubliners deserved. I do not begrudge the Blues their historic achievement. Yet it was quite understandable that, when Cork referee Kevin 0? SuIlivan, who had such a very good game-sounded the final whistle the, deafening acclaim from their supporters embodied a very discernable note of relief. The official returns, incidentally, were that 18,000 people present paid £26,000, To my not inexperienced eye it looked more like that there were 25,000 fans in the ground. And, while the Waterford supporters applauded by the winners after the game and then in an admirably sporting gesture also praised by the losers far outnumbered the home following, they must have been biting their nails particularly during the second half. Indeed, it seemed inevitable that the visiting hordes would have to accept the philosophy of "What's Another Year" as Pat's pounded for the equaliser. And the man who saved Waterford in their darkest hours was that remarkable veteran Peter Thomas. In contrast his opposite number, Jimmy Grace, had a comparatively trouble-free afternoon. DESERVED A MEDAL For the Blue strikers did not at all have a happy day against a Pat's rearguard in which the even more
18
Irish Independent - Noel Dunne reporting Sunday 21 April 1980
seasoned Willie Roche deserved to have a medal struck for himself, and in which Barry Murphy also had a big share in curbing Sid Wallace and Paul Kirk. I also thought that Pats, as a team, showed remarkable character in refusing to be ruffled by that comparatively early goal. It evolved in a rather peculiar way. For, when Larry Murray escaped from a foul by George Munnelly just outside the penalty area on the right hand side, Mr. Sullivan could have played the advantage rule. But, instead, he stopped the play and it all worked out so well for the Blues, for Murray himself swung the free kick towards the far side of the area and Gardner, on the run, hammered a superb header home off the upright. At that stage it was no more than Waterford merited, for they were showing more control and understanding in the middle of the field, where Mick Madigan and Vinny McCarthy were looking good, with Mark Meagan linking well with Murray in a partnership which was later, however, to dissolve completely. But before it did so Murray forced a corner from Roche, it was taken by McCarthy and headed over off the top of the crossbar by Al Finucane. Then Madigan blocked a Tony Higgins clearance to McCarthy, who took the return pass from Madigan before scampering away on his best run of the match to send over a cross, which was knocked away for a corner by who else but Roche. From the Murray free kick Gardner, rising with. Finucane, nodded a foot over the bar — but that was to be the last symbol of Waterford aggression for a very long time. MAN OF THE MATCH 'Man of the Match' Thomas had already made a vital save in the 9th minute when Higgins, fed by Jackie Jameson, who was only just shaded in this particular honours list, saw his drive pushed around the post. And in the 38th minute a 25-yarder from Jameson, which may have caught a deflection, was going away from the
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
BLUES WAIT IS OVER BUT PATS WORTH A REPLAY goalkeeper into the net when Thomas slapped it down and away for another corner. Right on the break, again through Jameson's instigation, Paul Kirwan had a shot luckily blocked. But Kirwan, Derek Carthy and Joey Malone unfortunately, did not come up to expectations on this occasion, which makes it all the more remarkable that Pat's were able to lord it to such an extent. Carthy later to be replaced, did lay on a _duaice when he nodded an adroit ball from Jameson to Niall O’Donnell, who was foiled by Thomas's quick reading of the situation. That was just a minute after, the restart, but within the space of a couple of minutes, Pats missed two chances which could have changed everything, including the result. SLEIGHT OF BODY Jameson, employing that God-given sleight-of-body to the extreme, wafted past both Tony Dunphy and Gardner before sliding the ball across to Kirwan, who not surprisingly in the state of confusion was unmarked but who volleyed his shot past the far post. Then Malone, from a few yards, screwed his shot wide after a long Higgins throw-in. Yet again Thomas averted a replay with a brave dive at the feet of Kirwan, who had been given the opening by McCarthy but
St Pat’s ‘keeper Jim Grace at the feet of attacking Waterford forwards in the F.A.I. Cup final at Dalymount park yesterday. the latter was then subbed by Michael Wright, who also, in the comparatively brief time at his disposal did his best to influence matters. Blues boss Tommy Jackson appeared in place of McCarthy, who was visibly disturbed at being handed his walking papers once more. And, with seven minutes to go, Wallace was felled by the other Pats replacement, Aidan Daly, and carried off on a stretcher, but happily his damaged ligaments did not prevent him from joining in the post-match jollifications.
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
WATERFORD Thomas; O'Mahony, Dunjphy, Finucane, Gardner; Meagan, Madigan, McCarthy; Murray, Wallace, Kirk. Subs: Jackson for McCarthy, 73 mins.; Coady for Wallace, (inj.), 83 mins. ST. PATRICK'S ATHLETIC Grace; Higgins, Roche, Murphy, Munnelly, O'Donnell, Malone, Hynes; Carthy, Jameson, Kirwan Subs: Wright for Carthy, 70 mins.; Daly for Munnelly, 77 Referee: Mr. Kevin O'Sullivan (Cork).
19
Can you find the St Pats players in the Wordsearch grid below? Players to look for: KING BENSON MCCORMACK MURPHY GRIFFIN KEELEY BARRETT LEWIS MARVINLAMBERT BURNS
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OUR GAME KNOWS YOUR NAME THE OFFICIAL MATCH BALL FOR THE 2021 SSE AIRTRICITY LEAGUE, FEATURING BESPOKE BALLS MADE FOR EACH CLUB
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Answer on page 45 2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
21
Super Saints Catherine O’Mahony
Ronan O’Flaherty
Johnny Keegan
@johnnykeegan
Not many can claim to have been a stand-in for Boyzone’s Shane Lynch. But that’s how Pat’s fan and TV producer, Catherine O’Mahony, got the start. From the early days of college and making tea as a runner, to bumping into Alf Stewart from Home & Away in Australia, to her recent work on hit shows Gogglebox Ireland and The Rotunda, Catherine gives us an insight into building a career in the television and entertainment industry. In an ultra-competitive sector, getting a foot in the door can be crucial. “It’s really hard, especially in Ireland, where opportunities are limited and it can feel a bit closed off. When I was doing my Masters, there was this programme called the All Ireland Talent Show. When they were sorting out the camera angles before the show, they needed people to sit in the judge’s seats. I didn’t get paid or anything like that, but I got a free lunch for being Shane Lynch’s stand-in. Then when it came to the next season, they were looking for runners, so I got a paid job doing that.” What does a runner do? “Anything and everything. For the All Ireland Talent Show I was making tea and coffee for the judges and crew, looking after contestants, tidying rooms, driving props around, and lots of other odd jobs. But while doing that, you’re watching others and learning loads. “Around that time, Scratch Films were making a documentary in my old school, so I asked them if I could have work experience on it.
22
They allowed me to come in for three weeks. Now, years later, I do a lot of work with Scratch Films, and it all came from that.”
search history after working on that programme had to be deleted before I ended up on some FBI list.”
A desire to travel took Catherine to Australia. Knocking on doors and asking “Are you looking for anybody?” resulted in a job as a co-ordinator in kids TV at Fox Studios at first.
Catherine’s next job was in casting for Gogglebox Ireland. What does it take to get onto the show?
“After that, I started working as a production coordinator for Channel 7 on a show called My Kitchen Rules. Our office was upstairs from the set of Home & Away, which was exciting. One day, Alf Stewart said hello to me, and I was like ‘Oh my God’. All the Australians were laughing at me, because to them it’s cringe, but I thought it was great.” Having returned from Australia via South America, Catherine began working as a researcher for an episode of Kevin McGahern’s America, and crossed paths with anti-fascist biker gangs, Bitcoin tech entrepreneurs and the infamous Juggalos. “America is such an interesting, diverse, bizarre, weird and wonderful place that you could go down serious rabbit holes while researching. My Google
“The whole point of Gogglebox is that you’re just watching normal people at home watching tele, so anyone who’s putting on an act or being fake, you can tell, and that just wouldn’t work with the viewers. We’re looking for people who can be themselves and not be too phased by the camera.” What makes Gogglebox Ireland so special? “Irish people are inherently witty, and we all sit at home commenting on what we’re watching on tele anyway, so when we see people like us doing the exact same thing it’s so relatable. Irish people also have a great way with words, and the way the editing team edits together all the different reactions is brilliant. You can sit down, switch your brain off, and enjoy an episode; it’s great food for the soul.”
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
We’ve yet to get a celebrity version of Gogglebox Ireland, who would Catherine like to cast if it were to happen? “I think the O’Donovan brothers (the rowers) would be really good on it. Maybe Amy Huberman and Brian O’Driscoll, because she’s very funny. Maybe even Stephen O’Donnell and his missus…” Catherine would then link-up again with Liam McGrath from Scratch Films working as a producer on The Rotunda. “It was an amazing programme to work on because we are literally seeing babies being born. My job (pre-Covid) involved walking the halls and clinics chatting to expectant mothers and seeing if they’d be interested. On a show like the Rotunda, it’s not just the happy birth stories, there are also really difficult and sad ones, so we really have to build a relationship, the women have to trust us because they are putting their most vulnerable time into our hands. We have to handle their stories sensitively; we’re not exploiting them for entertainment, rather we’re reflecting the reality of what happens in the hospital.” Certain life skills are required to make a career in this industry. What advice does Catherine have for anyone starting out? “The uncertainty is kind of scary, especially as you get older and you have a mortgage to pay and a family to look after. You need to be able to put yourself out there. And then when you get jobs, you need to be able to talk to people. Keep developing your skills and your own ideas; you have to be able to plan for your own future and not be relying on someone ringing you to see if you’re free.” Any views expressed in this article are the contributor's own. 2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
23
Notice This!
Ronan O’Flaherty
Karl Stafford
@karl_pats
Saints Weekly Newsletter We are delighted to announce the launch of our new weekly club newsletter. The weekly newsletter will keep supporters up to date with all the latest news, fixtures, community activity, club merchandise and lots more throughout the season. Newsletter subscribers will also have access to exclusive shop discounts and special offers from the Super Saints Store. Sign up for the newsletter at www.stpatsfc.com/news
WhatsApp It's now easier than ever to contact us. We are on WhatsApp Business to
Golden Goal Competitions
Happy Birthday
The Golden Goal Game will run exclusively on the Super Saints Store. Tickets cost €5 each.
Best wishes to the following Supersaints who celebrate lockdown Birthdays throughout the month of April.
You can choose your lucky number in the dropdown section and every number is available to purchase twice meaning two prizes are up for grabs.
the club a message on WhatsApp, our number is 085 126 4615. This will
Prize for picking the correct time of the first goal scored in the game is €100 in cash or a €125 Voucher for the Super Saints Store.
be operational during office hours Monday to Friday. Please note we are
More info on SuperSaintsStore.com
help with shop, ticket, and general queries from supporters. You can drop
not set up to receive calls, but you can still call the office on 01 454 6332.
Match Sponsorship
(From €1,000)
This package will include the following: • Title of Match Sponsor for your Chosen Match. • Logo on the cover of The Saint Matchday Magazine. • Full Page Advert in The Saint Matchday Magazine (Artwork Provided from Business one week in advance).
• First line of Match Preview on stpatsfc.com will mention your Business. • Social Media post Two days before our game containing link to your Business Website and/or Social Accounts tagged. • Signed St Pats Home Jersey (Optional giveaway on social media).
Match Ball Sponsorship
(From €250)
This package will include the following: • Title of Match Ball Sponsor for your Chosen Match.
• Line in Match Preview on stpatsfc.com will mention your Business.
• Logo on the cover of The Saint Matchday Magazine.
• Signed St Pats Football (Optional giveaway on social media).
Please contact karl.stafford@stpatsfc.com for more information.
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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
Golden Goal Winners! Drogheda Match Golden Goal was scored on the 59th minute by Ronan Coughlan and the winner is Deborah Boyd. Boh’s Match Golden Goal was scored on the 62nd minute by Ronan Coughlan and the winner is Joe Walsh.
Brendan Clarke Snr Phil Clarke Paul Oman Avril O'Connell Max Foy Brendan Ryan Joseph Kavanagh Shane McCabe Graham Jay Paul Byrne Sarah Tynan Laura Carney Sean McDonald Ruadhán Thompson James Keating Tony Flannery Paul Tyrrell Padraig Carney Dave Carter Paul Maguire Joe O’Rourke Gary Waters
Reeling in the St Patrick’s Athletic Years
We are seeking expressions of interest from individuals willing to take part in a virtual programme (via Zoom) which will revisit some key events of our illustrious history. The programme will take place on Friday afternoons at 4pm and run for a duration of six weeks. While a start date is yet to be confirmed, a provisional date of late April has been earmarked if enough interest in secured. Please email david.morrissey@stpatsfc.com to express interest or for more information. 2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
25
Community
All of this material was written by David Sneyd and printed in The Star newspaper. Reprinted with permission.
Ronan O’Flaherty
Dave Morrissey
@dave_pats
2021 has been challenging from a community perspective and as we edge towards the easing of Level Five Restrictions, we look forward to recommencing face-to-face community engagement activities in the coming weeks. As these are my first notes of the year, I hope all our supporters are keeping safe and well and fingers crossed we will all be back at Richmond Park together in the near future. In the first edition of The Saint, an article detailing the PreSeason with Pat’s Health and Well-Being programme was published. It was an absolute pleasure to coordinate this programme alongside academy staff Niall Cully, Sean Fogarty and club volunteer Rob Cullen. Leaving the visible health and well-being improvements aside, engaging
with a segment of the Pat’s community every Monday, at a time when many people are feeling isolated, represented a real high point of my week. It was wonderful to be able to facilitate engagement and create bonds between the first team and our supporters in the lead up to the League of Ireland season. The player’s spoke about how dedicated the group were during preseason while offering valuable insights and nutritional advice to the supporters – ultimately taking an interest in the off the field activities of St Pat’s in a manner which simply cannot
be fabricated. The sheer dedication of this team has been evident throughout the early weeks of the season and they ultimately deserve to be supported by a fervent audience at Richmond Park – a revitalised team challenging at the right end of the table has the ability to transcend football and have a real positive impact in the local community and let us all hope those days are not too far away. In the meantime, the following community programmes will be commencing in the coming weeks.
One Club, One Community Family Challenge Creating local pride in Inchicore – St Patrick’s Athletic in conjunction with Frontline MC – encouraging families to create time for physical activity and healthy family meals. This programme channels the power of football and teamwork to reinforce the importance of family resilience and togetherness. One Club, One Community entails •
•
•
26
Education Programme (May – June) Reconnecting the community through the power of football In May, we intend to build on the success of the Saints and Scholars Football and Numeracy Programme and adapt it in a way that safely meets the needs of local primary schools during the last two months of the academic year. We intend for Richmond Park to become a socially distanced outdoor classroom several days per week with numeracy and physical exercise activities provided for students alongside a healthy lunch for each student. This programme will address the following issues currently being experienced by the local school community: •
Weekly interact fitness challenges encouraging family exercise in the local community
Attendance Issues – Students with poor attendance records have fallen behind on course work throughout the pandemic.
•
St Pat’s first team players set weekly nutritional challenges highlighting quick and easy meal with ingredients provided to families
Behavioural Issues – Unfortunately there has been increased reports of anti-social behaviour with local youth lacking focus in their daily lives.
•
Covid has caused a disconnect between schools and the wider school community – due to the lack of outreach opportunities – St Patrick’s Athletic is best placed to facilitate community re-engagement as we strive to overcome the societal effects of Covid-19.
Parents to receive a nutritious breakfast at Richmond Park on Friday mornings
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No. 1 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Drogheda United
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No. 1 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Drogheda United
27
Opposition Watch
Ronan O’Flaherty
Paul Maguire
@PaulGoS
Ah Waterford, there’s been some needle between the fans of both clubs over the past few seasons... This has recently led to some
first foray into first team
19 international has played in the
cracking games both here and at
management. Perhaps he saw
FA Cup this season and will be
the RSC but unfortunately there
one of his predecessors, John
expected to fill the void left by
won’t be any fans to fuel the
Sheridan, getting the gig at
Tyreke Wilson who moved to
competitive fire in Richmond Park
Wigan Athletic after a stint at the
Bohs in the off-season. Much
tonight so what will the Blues
RSC? Previously Sheedy was
needed experience comes from
bring to the table to try to derail
assistant manager at Hartlepool
ex-international striker Darryl
the Pats express?
United and Tranmere Rovers,
Murphy while at the other end of
coached at Everton academy and
the pitch the form of Brian
Manager Kevin Sheedy needs no
spent three years in the sun of
Murphy in goal will be key. Last
introduction, part of that great
Saudi Arabia with Al-Shabab. It’s
season the netminder started 16
Everton team of the 1980’s (did
a city with a rich football heritage
league games and kept clean
you know he signed for them
and it’s fitting that someone with
sheets in 8 of them, he is
from Liverpool?), 46 caps for
Sheedys substance is in charge.
expected to be kept busy this
Ireland and scored our first ever
luck late on after Brennan was
the 2020 season when they
sent off for two bookings in
were denied a place in Europe
quick succession having earlier
by the width of the post in
scored what turned out to be the
injury time and their hosts
winner off a rebound from his
confirmed their premier
own penalty kick which was
division status for this season.
initially saved. Brian Murphy was
While the stakes weren’t quite
called upon to save from long
as high this time round the end
range in the first half before
was just as dramatic with ex Waterford (and Pats) defender Dave Webster scoring at the death after a scramosh in the crowded Blues penalty area following a corner, bit of a defending set-pieces and conceding late goals?? The opening half hour was dull fare in many weathers until John
season.
goal in a World Cup in 1990
So who does the Ireland legend
merely scratches the surface of
have at his disposal this season?
FORM
As usual in our league there were
Waterford have been tipped as
personnel changes aplenty in
relegation fodder in some circles
Waterford with seven of the first
to possible european contenders
team squad moving on (of course
in others and this disparity has
two of them, Sam Bone & Matty
been reflected in their results so
Smith, made their way to the
far this season. Starting off
Saints). Sheedy will be glad
against promoted Drogheda they
Tumnise Sobowale and Niall
were unlucky to lose to an 89th
O’Keefe have re-signed for 2021
minute own goal when they had
as much is expected of them
looked to have had secured a
having impressed last season
draw despite their opponents
while notable signings include
creating the better chances.
former Bohs and Shels midfielder
Waterford really only threatened
Oscar Brennan, ex UCD defender
from long range or set pieces.
Martins header from a free flew past the Harps keeper to give Waterford the lead but as per
his playing career but this is his
Josh Collins and, perhaps most Kevin Sheedy
28
interestingly, Cameron Evans
Next up was a trip to the
from Swansea City. The Welsh u-
Brandywell where they rode their
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
Cameron Evans
pattern emerging here re
the previous week they were Oscar Brennan
pegged back level, this time within only six minutes, Adam Foley shooting past Brian Murphy to make it 1-1 after a
Shane Griffin gave the Blues the
slick move. In fact, Foley should
lead from a free just outside the
have made it 2 shortly after but
area. That Derry created several
this time Murphy smothered the
chances from set-pieces and
chance and he would be called
should have scored more than
upon again several times in the
the one they managed just
second half which also saw
before half-time will be of
Waterford miss chances to score,
concern to Sheedy.
notably Daryl Murphy with a header which was saved before
Waterford’s third game of the
another late goal was conceded.
submitted (editors and their deadlines eh??!!) before the Blues took on Bohemians last Friday but from the brief look at their opening games, it’s hard to determine how Waterford will fare this year. An injury to either of the Murphys could spell trouble yet they have young players eager to prove themselves but this too brings pitfalls. On the night if Pats defend set-pieces well it probably nullifies Waterford’s main threat and if Tuesdays match is close going into the last quarter then Pats fans should definitely stay tuned in to the death, no sneaking out to McDowells early (if only..).
season saw them again head north-west to Finn Park, the
Unfortunately time constraints
scene of a dramatic last game of
mean that this article had to be
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
Any views expressed in this article are the contributor's own.
29
Pitchside Sponsors
Who’s Who at Ronan The O’Flaherty Saint?
We would like to thank the following who have
Like so many other things on match night, it takes considerable effort
sponsored the club for the 2021 season...
to compile the issue of The Saint you’re viewing. So who’s who? RUAIRI KAVANAGH: EDITOR
KIERAN COUGHLAN
Works with the club, contributors and designers ato deliver each issue. Apart from that he specialises in getting randomers to come along to their first Pats game. This tactic has yielded a 100% win ratio to date.
When not found on the Camac, Kieran is to be found finding inventive ways to torture Saints fans with his fiendishly tricky questions.
JOE O’ROURKE: DESIGNER Part of the All Saints Show, having previously designed the club murals among other things Joe has spearheaded the redesign of The Saint and was a major reason for us being named Programme of the Year. Thanks Joe! PAT O’CALLAGHAN Long club serving historian and programme curator. Pat has been involved with the club and the programme for decades. He’s also one of the friendly faces you encounter when entering the ground to buy your programme. JIMMY EDWARDS Following on from his father's (of the same name) 30 years of writing for the programme, Jimmy Edwards (Junior) continues the Pensive Points tradition. JOHN OWENS Statto supreme, we reckon he has shares in Microsoft Excel. An incredible range of knowledge, John was way too modest when he once described himself as just a ‘guy with a few spread sheets!’. IAN TEMPLEMAN Our foreign correspondent. Writes, with considerable eloquence, from the UK with his observations on our league and particularly the Saints. Ever reliable, always has his copy in first. RONAN O’FLAHERTY Journalist with a passion for Pats, Ronan comes from good Saints stock, as his surname might suggest. Ever the optimist Ronan can put a positive slant on the most dismal run of form. We know, we gave him plenty of opportunities last season!
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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
STEPHEN BENNETT Journalist with the Herald and a lifelong Saints fan. Inchicore born and bred, a lover of soccer history both home and abroad. He's not great at getting trains back from away matches, however. DERMOT LOONEY Dermot is from Greenhills and has followed Pat's since he was a teenager in the 1990's. He works as a primary teacher in Tallaght and served as a County Councillor for ten years until 2019. Dermot is working on the @HistoryStPats project, researching and collecting information on the history of St Patrick’s Athletic in this, our 90th year. SEÁN BRENNAN Seán is a full time languages teacher in Dublin a part time writer on football culture and cooking. He has been following St Pats since the early noughties and Serie A since the late nineties. A former resident of France, UK and Germany, he enjoys train journeys, radio, pasta and everything with the prefix ‘Euro-‘. PAUL MAGUIRE Inchicore born & bred, Paul has been following the Saints since the late 80s. Favourite ever Pats player is Eddie Gormley. Used to host The All Saints Show and Pats match commentary until the FAI closed it down so now writes about the opposition rather than talking about them. Has around 50 Pats jerseys but can only fit into 10 of them. Plays guitar and sings, likes trains. SEAN CREEDON A Kerryman living in Dublin... a long time. He has been attending League of Ireland and Republic of Ireland home games for over 50 years. Interested in all sports, but mainly GAA, Soccer and Rugby. A member of the Soccer Writers’Association. Writes on LOI and international matters.
31
Red & White Wonderland TONY GEOGHEGAN
First Game Pats v Transport
Favourite Kit
Favourite Goal Paul “Soupy” Campbell v Dundalk
It is my first memory of watching Pats with my father and it stands out because it was my first time to see a bald player who I believe was named Johnny Bennett. It must have been circa 1958/59. The game was played in Chapelizod.
Favourite Player
HOME How about this from the Barry Bridges era? AWAY Patselona is the standout away kit for me.
Dinny Lowry
Former Pats Keeper who won one international cap for Ireland. A wonderful goalkeeper who was not spectacular but make goalkeeping look easy. Without doubt the best goalkeeper we have ever had. I had the pleasure of meeting him over the years and he is an absolute gentleman.
Favourite Game v Drogheda 1990
Difficult to choose as I have seen so many memorable games but the afternoon we won the league in Drogheda stands out as it was my first time to see the Saints win the league
Soupy Campbell’s free kick to win the league in Dundalk is one that stands out
after we had spent many barren years.
for me. Awful conditions on a quagmire of a pitch but Soupy came up trumps.
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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
33
Dream Team
Formation: 4-5-1
TONY GEOGHEGAN DINNY LOWRY Saw him win a game 1-0 v Cork Celtic in which they battered us but could not get past Lowry. Wonderful goalkeeper, easily the best we have seen in Richmond Park. CURTIS FLEMING Cultured full back, one of the 3 black pearls of Inchicore, made defending look easy, quality personified. PAUL McGRATH Many might not include him as he only had one season with us but what a season: Great player, Charlie Walker discovered a gem. DAMIEN BYRNE A leader of men and an unsung hero of our league winning team: Strong as an ox and led by example. He would also be my captain. IAN BERMINGHAM Mr. Consistency, and current captain, who wears his heart on his sleeve and is always looking to attack the opposition. CHARLES LIVINGSTONE MBABAZI Could play on either wing or through the middle but out wide on the right he destroyed many full backs.
MARTIN RUSSELL Cultured left foot and great free kick taker and made the team tick as a playmaker, also a very nice guy.
DINNY LOWRY
EDDIE GORMLEY
Goalkeeper
Hagi... no need to elaborate to Pats fans who have seen Eddie play. Wonderful player. KILLIAN BRENNAN May surprise many but for me he is one of the best midfield players to have graced the LOI game and was outstanding in our league winning team. Always hated to see him playing against us as he was so influential for the opposition.
CURTIS FLEMING DAMIEN BYRNE
Right Full Back
Centre Half
PAUL MCGRATH
Ian Bermingham
Centre Half
Left Full Back
PAUL OSAM I was "doubtful" about Ozo! Always dangerous and his languid running style was deceptive. Great in the air and his headed goal in the Brandywell v Derry many years ago set us on the way to a league title. RICKY O’FLAHERTY Powerful centre forward and a defenders nightmare. Great in the air and gave everything in every game. Honourable mentions: Tommy Dunne, Mark Ennis, Ronnie Whelan Snr, Paschal Curtin, Keith Fahey, Greg Bolger, Conan Byrne.
eddie gorm
“charlie”
ley
Midfield
right wing
MARTIN RUSSEL
L
left wing
paul osam midfield
KILLIAN BRENNAN
Favourite Manager Brian Kerr
midfield
The Greener. Built a league winning team with few resources and always got the best from his players. An easy choice - a Pats fan and
RICky O’FLA
HERTY
Centre Forw
ard
a League of Ireland legend.
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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
35
Dundalk 1 Pats 1
Bone 56mins
Oriel Park • 17 April 2021 •Ronan Premier Division O’Flaherty
Starting XI 1
Jaroš
2
Mountney
3
Bermingham
4
Bone
5
Desmond
6
Lennon
7
Benson
8
Forrester
10
Coughlan
69
11
McClelland
49
12
Smith
87
Subs 29
Barrett
49
15
King
69
16
Lewis
87
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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
37
Pitchside Sponsors
Pensive PointsRonan O’Flaherty Jimmy Edwards
We would like to thank the following who have sponsored the club for the 2021 season...
@jimmyedwards41
Good Evening All, As I write this we are joint top of the league, not a bad
Premier League games on Sky/BT with polished pundits,
place to be at all! Last Saturday we were unfortunate not
slow-motion gadgets and glitzy background sets and
to take all three points up in Oriel Park against Dundalk,
then I have watched games on WatchLOI without VAR,
but it was another good team performance and you can
without the polished pundits, the slow-motion gadgets,
see that the team has a strong shape and structure, with
the glitzy background sets, and without wanting to
a lot of consistency in terms of performances from our
come across as sounding biased, I know which I prefer
players. Credit must go to them for the work that they
watching.
are obviously putting in during training, and it's great to see such a strong team spirit, particularly as these days they can't enjoy social gatherings together or the sort of team building activities that would normally be taken for granted. Credit needs to go to the management team of Stephen O'Donnell and Alan Mathews too, they've obviously got a plan and it's looking very good so far.
Tonight we welcome Waterford FC who having been managed by an ex Ireland international last season in John Sheridan are now being managed by another ex Ireland international in Kevin Sheedy. This man is a legend to those of us old enough to remember Euro 88 and Italia 90, and Kevin holds the historic record of scoring Ireland's first-ever goal at a World Cup finals. A
Although no medals are usually given out until after a
goal that those of us old enough to remember will never
full season of 36 games are played, it’s nice as a fan to
forget because it was an equaliser against England in a
be looking at the table and seeing our name in the no 1
1-1 draw and a lovely goal it was too. Talking about
position. I thought the performance against Derry in our
England, Kevin’s assistant is the vastly experienced
last home game was very good yet again and that we
English man Mike Newell who was a member of the
thoroughly deserved the 3 points. Robbie Benson was
Blackburn Rovers team that won the Premier League in
quick and instinctive with his first-time finish after a
1995 and both Kevin and Mike were teammates at my
good lay-off by Ronan Coughlan and Darragh Burns
Dad’s favourite English team, Everton. Welcome to the
right foot finish was superb after a brilliant long pass
League of Ireland lads and it’s great to see a great club
from Sam Bone. I must say Sam reminds me a lot of
from a great city in good hands. I’d also like to welcome
Kenny Browne in his ability to hit a long pass. I
Waterford first-team coach John Frost who is of course
mentioned in the programme for the Drogheda game
an ex Saint who had a fine left foot and could hit a mean
just how great it is to be watching our football without
free-kick, a bit like Mr Sheedy. Best of luck for the rest of
VAR, unlike the stop-start nature of what we are seeing
the season Kevin, Mike and John (after tonight of
in England. It seems to be a weekly debate now about
course!)
how something is given by VAR one week and not the next. In my opinion, it’s ruining the game because the instant celebration of a goal is gone now and you now have to wait until it’s checked by VAR to see if a hand
Enjoy the game. Up the Saints! Jimmy
was offside or something silly like that. I have watched
Any views expressed in this article are the contributor's own.
38
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
39
Patron Saints This scheme is a special and unique initiative aimed at ALL St Patrick’s Athletic fans... The main aim is to aid the long-term development of this great football club. We firmly believe for any LOI Club to be successful, it needs the fans to play a huge part. As it’s your club, we are urging all fans, where possible, to join the scheme today.
For the past few years the Patron Saints have run: • The St Patrick’s Athletic Awards Night • Santa Claus visit to Richmond • The Hano Cup These were all fundraised through Golden Goals, raffles and innovative events such as snail racing.
Projects the Patron Saints have contribute to: • Emmet Road Mural • U19s Team Kit • Heart Monitoring Equipment • Media Room Renovation • West Stand Repairs • Club Shop • Grounds Keeping Equipment • Strength and Conditioning Equipment.
Benefits of joining the Patron Saints: • Badge & Membership Card • Priority access to Match tickets • Voting rights on what projects Patron Saints funds will go on • Twice yearly meeting with club officials
• Discounts on most Patron run events • Free annual raffle for player signed jersey sponsored by the Patron Saints • Free annual raffle for a set of signed programmes of the season
TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP GOLD MEMBERSHIP
€10 per week | €40 per month | €480 per year
SILVER MEMBERSHIP
€5 per week | €20 per month | €240 per year
BRONZE MEMBERSHIP
€5 per month | €60 per year
For more information or to sign up: email stpatssc@gmail.com, go to facebook.com/spafcpatronsaints or pop by the Patron Saints desk in the club shop on match nights. 2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
41 41
Eurozone: Chelsea & The Cup Winners Cup Seán Brennan
@SBahnManc
London, 1998. A time when the British public were more concerned with importing anchovies than engaging in trade wars over cod and haddock. London, 1998. A time when the
Mediterranean inspired debut
champions include Slovan
off the block, having already taken over as
from Asia began to dominate the culinary scene,
British public were more
cookbook the following year.
Bratislava, 1FC Magdeburg and
player-manager following the departure of Ruud
local rap replaced European dance music on
KV Mechelen.
Gullit earlier in the season. Robert Di Matteo led
radio playlists, and a string of TV shows with
concerned with importing anchovies than engaging in
Meanwhile in the West End, at
Chelsea to an unlikely Champions League title in
‘British’ or ‘Britain’ in the title, coupled with
trade wars over cod and
a time of an English player
Chelsea’s route to the final took
2012, before coaching Aston Villa and Schalke.
continuous Tory administrations post 2010, led
haddock. The channel tunnel
dominated Premier League,
them all over the continent.
Dennis Wise came extremely close to joining Di
to the belief that the country would be, in the words of Dutch Eurodance artist Alice Deejay,
had opened 4 years previously,
Chelsea FC were assembling
From Slovan Bratislava, to
Matteo with unlikely silverware; his Millwall side
making a weekend in Paris just
their own team of European
Tromsø (the sight of their Italian
losing in the FA Cup final in 2004. Mark Hughes
‘Better Off Alone’. Chelsea and the rest of the
a short train away for Londoner
greats. Dan Petrescu, Roberto
superstars wrapped up in hats
also fell just short of glory with his Wales team
Premier League wouldn’t be massively affected
and a Europhile Labour Party
Di Matteo, Gianluca Vialli, Frank
and gloves playing with an
losing to Russia in the Euro 2004 play-offs. Steve
however, as Pound Sterling would continue to be the most powerful currency in world football.
had triumphed in the previous
Le Boeuf, Tore André Flo and
orange football in the Arctic
Clarke however managed to pull off a surprise,
year’s general election. Channel
Ed de Goey were amongst the
Circle is one of my favourite
leading Scotland to their first tournament since
4 was beaming Football Italia
names in a squad containing 13
childhood footballing
98, beating Serbia on penalties in the play-offs.
and Eurotrash into British living
different nationalities, 10 of
memories), to Real Betis and
rooms, millions of British
which were European. The
then Vicenza, before defeating
Furthermore, Dan Petrescu, Gustavo Poyet, Andy
tourists were heading to Ibiza
team finished 4th and won the
Joachim Löw’s Stuttgart 1-0 in
Myers, Eddie Newton and Gianfranco Zola have
on holidays, and Italian
League Cup, however they are
the final thanks to a Gianfranco
all had managerial careers with mixed degrees
restaurants were popping up all
best remembered for their
Zola header. League of Ireland
of success. Some of their clubs managed include
over London, with local boy
victory in the UEFA Cup
representatives Shelbourne
Dinamo Moscow, Bordeaux, Trabzonspor and
Jamie Oliver releasing his
Winners’ Cup.
couldn’t make the final as they
Cagliari.
had lost to Kilmarnock in the The Cup Winners’ Cup itself is a
first round.
relic of a somewhat less
42 42
The unique likeability of this Chelsea team wasn’t to last forever. In 2003 they were bought
monetised time in European
Even more remarkable about
by oligarch Roman Abramovich and became the
football. With only one team
this Chelsea side was the future
quintessential ‘moneybags’ of English football.
from each country allowed,
lying ahead of their stars. Of
There continue to be plenty of successors. The
knockout rounds, and no
the squad of 16 for the final, 10
Cup Winners’ Cup too saw its heyday end, its
seeding, it gave itself an
of them have gone on to have
final tournament being won by Lazio in 1999.
unpredictability the FA Cup
fairly established managerial
Britain’s love affair with all things European was
would be proud of. Less likely
careers. Gianluca Vialli was first
also not to be everlasting; new food cultures
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
Gianfranco Zola
43 43
Quiz Time Kieran Coughlan
1 Who were the last defending champions to lose their opening game of the season?
6
Who were the first team to beat Stephen Kenny's senior Ireland team?
2 Who was the last English Manager to win a European trophy?
7
Who were the three Managers that Waterford had in charge of their team in 2020?
8
When did Brazil last fail to make it past the first round of the World Cup
4 Name the five penalty takers for Ireland against Romania in Italia 90?
9
Outside of the UK, which UEFA country has the oldest professional league?
5 Which Frenchman won the Champions League and the World Cup in 1998?
10 Who was the first African to win the PFA player of the season?
3 Which two clubs with a total of 10 goals were the lowest scoring teams in the Airtricity League last year?
Answers Q.9 Belgium. Q.10 Riyad Mahrez. Karembeu. Q.6 Finland Q.7 Alan Reynolds, John Sheridan, Fran Rockett. Q.8 1966. O'Leary, Andy Townsend, Kevin Sheedy, Ray Houghton, Tony Cascarino. Q.5 Christian Q.1 Drogheda 2. Q.2 Bobby Robson 1997. Q.3 Wexford- Cork City. Q.4 David
McCarthy Insurance Group
Wordsearch Solution
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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
45 45
Waterford Boys at Wembley in ‘66
Ronan O’Flaherty
Sean Creedon
England winning the World Cup for the first time at Wembley in 1966 is regarded as a seminal moment in history of Irish sport. It was the first time that many
had done a year in Art College
back I suppose we should
Irish people got an
in Waterford.
have got danger money, it was
opportunity to see their first ‘live’ soccer games on
Eddie said: ‘‘My uncle who
television.
lived near Wembley got us a
time afterwards,’’ he said.
successful career as an Illustrator/Designer. Michael
such a precarious gantry, just
‘‘The following day we were
went on to qualify as a
two planks to walk along.’’
allowed to play on the famous
Medical Scientist and worked
turf for about twenty minutes.
in the Regional Hospital in his
flat in Alperton. On our second
A man who agrees with Eddie
The English were in good form
native city. He retired ten years
Of course there was plenty of
day in London we went into
about the ‘danger money’ is
after the win and we had a
ago.
soccer played in Ireland prior
the Labour Exchange to try
Brian Kerr. Back in ‘66 Brian
game between the part-time
to the 1966 finals in England.
and get work. The young girl
was only 13, but he was
and full time staff at Wembley,
Eddie returned to London and
The League of Ireland was
behind the desk offered us a
invited to London by his older
so in addition to working at
worked at the London
founded in 1921, but most of
choice of jobs, working in the
brother Frankie, who managed
the World Cup final in 1966,
Transport Executive Architects
Tofiq Bahramov
the soccer was played in cities
gardening section for the local
to get tickets for all of the
we can also say that we played
Department and later spent
The infamous Russian linesman
like Dublin, Cork, Limerick and
Alperton council or working as
games at Wembley.
at Wembley.’’
three years at Chelsea School
Waterford plus large towns
a general operative at
like Athlone, Dundalk and
Wembley Stadium during the
Brian said: ‘‘I remember it was
Sligo.
World Cup.’’
of Art; naturally he went back
up on the Wembley gantry
The linesman Tofiq Bahramov
to Wembley to see a few
that day in 1966 and didn’t
the old style scoreboard and
who awarded Geoff Hurst’s
England games. ‘‘The second
hear BBC commentator
when a team scored the lads,
first goal was often described
time round I had to pay to get
Kenneth Wolstenholme utter
in,’’ said Eddie.
that famous phrase after
For thousands of Irish people
‘‘Alperton is very close to
who if I remember correctly
as Russian, but he was a
in villages and rural areas, who
Wembley and we got a bus to
were wearing white coats like
referee from Azerbaijan, which
only a few years earlier had
work every morning, starting
a GAA umpire at Croke Park,
was part of Russia at that time.
Five years ago the ‘Waterford
time, ‘‘Some people are on the
got their first television sets
at 8am. One day we saw a
had to carefully pick their
After his death in 1993 the
Boys’ were contacted by the
pitch, they think it’s all over, it
when Telefís Eireann was
notice in canteen looking for
steps along the gantry to
national stadium in Baku was
‘One Show’ in the BCC who
is now, it’s four.’’
launched, it was a significant
volunteers to work the
record the score.’’
named the Tofiq Bahramov
were doing a segment in the
time.
scoreboard.’’
Stadium in his honour.
show remembering England’s
But every time they see
Hurst’s second goal in extra
World Cup win. Eddie said:
archive footage of that
Fifty five years ago two young
‘‘We made good money as we
of the final? ‘‘The scoreboard
The dream job in London
‘‘The BBC paid for us to travel
Saturday in July ‘66 they think
Waterford lads Eddie O’Keeffe
did a lot of overtime. I cannot
was located behind the goal
lasted seven weeks and by
to London for two days to film
back to those innocent days
and Michael O’Sullivan,
remember exactly how much
where Geoff Hurst scored that
August Eddie had returned
a segment for the show with
when you could walk into a
headed for the bright lights of
we earned per day, but it was
controversial goal. Back then
home as he got a job in an
presenter Phil Tufnell.’’
Labour Exchange in London
London. Michael has just sat
good money for two young
there was no VAR and the
Architect’s office in Waterford,
his Leaving Cert, while Eddie
lads from Waterford. Looking
poor old linesman got a hard
which was to lead him on to a
What are Michael’s memories
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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
and get a job at the World Michael and Eddie were high
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
Cup Finals.
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Club History @dlooney
Dermot Looney
1941/42: More Silverware for the Saints World War II saw extraordinary impacts in unexpected places. One of the many shortages faced in an Ireland gripped by “The Emergency” was that of newsprint. Newspapers such as the Evening Herald reduced in size from 12 pages pre-war to 4 or even 2 pages during it. 80 years later, it makes research on such trifling matters as results and League tables in junior football very difficult indeed. What’s clear is that St Pat’s had another respectable season in Division II of the Leinster League, again finishing in the top 3. They faced familiar foes such as Queen’s Park, Hammond Lane, GSR, Ierne and St Paul’s alongside newer teams such as Bendigo, Irishtown, Harmerne and Glasnevin.
Another new entrant to the League would prove a worthy rival in the eighty years since – Drogheda United, who went on to merge in 1975 with Drogheda FC to form the club we now know. We have most of the League results between September and April, showing a strong League campaign from the Athletic with a host of wins and a couple of draws. Maher and Brogan were the chief goalscorers for the Saints with others chipping in including Lanigan, Murray, Keogh, McGlynn, O’Rourke, Cotter, Gilligan, O’Brien, Delaney and Markey. No League matches are recorded in the available newspaper archives after April. The closest we have to a wrap-up is in the Drogheda Independent on June 6th, which notes that Bendigo had a clear lead in the League and the likely runnersup would be the winners of the upcoming Drogheda United v Pat’s game. Unfortunately, there is no record of this game in any of the archives, local or national. Cup football again dominated much of the season. Pat’s reached the third round of the Leinster Junior Cup, beating the
48
interestingly-named Corinthians and perhaps even more interestingly-named Telephones en route to defeat by Abbey Celtic. Their defence of the FAI Junior Cup saw a first round walkover against Irishtown and a second round win against Richmond rivals St Paul’s after a replay. Pat’s beat old rivals Mountpleasant 3-0 in Round Three. The Fourth Round saw a thrilling tie against Hammond Lane which went to a replay after a 3-3 draw in Richmond produced what the Herald described as “one of the best games of the season.” The replay in Beaver Row also ended in a draw after two periods of extra time, with Pat’s again going ahead on two occasions but Hammond Lane paring them back both times. The saga eventually ended in the second replay on January 24th, with Athletic securing a 4-1. “St Patrick’s now look like retaining the trophy,” wrote the Herald correspondent. Round Five saw yet another replay required after Spa Rovers held Pat’s to a rare scoreless draw in Richmond. The replay was played in Ballydowd in Lucan, then well into the County Dublin countryside, in front of an extraordinary crowd for a junior match –
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
2,660. “Greater thrust near the goal and a brilliant defence turned the game in favour of St Patrick’s,” according to the Herald. The result was a 2-0 Pat’s win with goals from Brogan and Maher. Pat’s were eventually knocked out in Round Six (the quarter-finals) by Drogheda United at Inchicore. The Saints had led 2-0 at half-time with both goals from Brogan, but the Louthmen managed to bring it back to 2-2 before scoring the winner in the 84th minute. But they were to lift some silverware this season in the Edmond Johnson Cup. This was the League Cup for the Leinster League Division II, named after the gold and silversmiths who were associated with sports trophies such as the Liam McCarthy Cup. It was played in the latter part of the season. A bye in the first round saw the Saints face up against Bohs C in Round Two, which they won after yet another replay. Pat’s then defeated Bendigo in the quarter finals and Hammond Lane in the semis.
The season had also seen representative honours for Pat’s defender J Mullally, who appeared for an “FAI Junior International XI” who took on a Dublin selection. He also joined G Brogan and P Maher on a Leinster League representative team who took on the Northern Amateur League in Belfast. St Pat’s entered a B team this season in the AUL Division III A. Remarkably, there are two detailed match reports of this game for the B team in the Meath Chronicle and Drogheda Independent, both more detailed than anything published for the A team all season! The B team XI is given in one of the papers as J Wall (goal), P Delamere, J Martin, M Maguire, W Mullen, W Wall, T Mullen, N McCormack, T Coffey, T Scully and T McGee. Over the summer, Pat’s inside-left Joseph O’Rourke joined former Pat’s team-mate Des Dempsey at League of Ireland basement club Bray Unknowns
The Athletic faced their Richmond groundshare rivals St Paul’s in the final, albeit at the neutral venue of Dalymount Park, on May 30th. The Herald preview noted that “the teams are keen rivals and that means hard going.” Whether or not the teams matched up to their billing, the weather certainly did. The following day’s Sunday Independent noted that “owing to the conditions” the match was abandoned with 20 minutes to go. Pat’s had been 3-2 up with goals from Brogan, Delaney and Lanigan. The match was replayed on June 6th at Richmond Park. Saturday’s Evening Herald gives a half-time report as it went to press. Noting that both teams were at full strength, and giving details of chances for both teams, the half-time score is given as 2-2. The following day’s Sunday Independent gives the final score as 3-2 but no scorers are available. At the fourth time of asking, Pat’s finally lifted the Johnson Cup.
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
49
first shot on target when Paul Campbell turned on the edge of the box and shot into Devine's mid-rift before shooting straight at the keeper three minutes later. The best chance of the half came in injury time when Stephen McGuinness blasted high over the bar. Liam Buckley's halftime team-talk appeared to rejuvenate Pat's who throughout the first half seemed to devoid of imagination going forward. Devine had to fly through the air to prevent Molloy's free kick from sneaking in at his near post and then got down well to smother a low drive. But he had no chance in the 57th minute when Martin Russell whipped in a cross from the left and Gilzean powered a downward header past the helpless Devine.
Stephen Bennett@stebenn15
Premier Division Irish Independent - Saturday, 5 December, 1998
ST PATRICK'S ATH 2 WATERFORD 0 Hotshot Gilzean kept St Patrick's Athletic's 100 per cent home record intact and hauled their title defence back on the rails at Richmond Park last night. A powerful 57th minute header and an 83rd minute penalty were almost the only highlights on a night when the champions had to dig deep to battle past a dogged Waterford side who finished the game with ten men following the dismissal of youth international Tim McGrath for a profes sional foul seven minutes from time. CLOSES THE GAP The three points closes the gap at the top to just one point although Cork will fancy their chances of restoring their four, point advantage when they meet bottom of the table Bohemians tomorrow at Turner's Cross. After last week's defeat by Dundalk, Pat's 'boss" Liam Buckley made two changes. Packie Lynch returned after injury arid suspension for Willie Burke while U-21 interhational Thomas Morgan was
RELIEF PALPABLE
PITCH BATTLE... Waterford United’s Jason Kabia and Colin Hawkins of St Pat’s fight for possession at Richmond Park.
dropped in favour of Paul Campbell who hadn't started a league game since October. Waterford had pipped Pat's during thc week for the right to take Cork City striker Jason Kabia on loan but the 27-year-old Englishman didn't make much of an impact and ended up with only a yellow card to show for his debut. Waterford set out their stall straight from the start with a five man defence and for the first 45 minutes they frustrated a Pat's side seeking their eighth successive home win in the league. Central defenders Sean O'Riordan and Tim McGrath, together with sweeper Dave Smith, combined brilliantly to shut out the normally free-scoring Pat's attack. On a bitterly cold night, the first half fare did little to warm the large crowd watching and it took the champions 31 minutes to register their
Suddenly Pat's were in full flow with Devine twice saving from Gilzean before the big striker was denied a goal after 65 minutes by an offside flag. But Gilzean made no mistake seven minutes from time when he drilled home a left-footed penalty after McGrath had pulled down substitute Martin Reilly just inside the box. That earned McGrath a mandatory red card while it was an early birthday present for Gilzean who celebrates his 29th birthday next Thursday. St Patrick's Athletic: Wood; McGulnness, Lynch, Hawkins Croly, Campbell (Devereux 66), Osam, Russell, Doyle; Molloy (Reilly 79), Gilzean. Booked; Campbell (60), McGuinness (88). Waterford United: Devine; Power, O’Riordan, Smith, McGrath, Kelleher, Gannon, Reynolds, Keith; Kabia, Brown. Booked: Kabia (20), McGrath (33). Sent Off; McGrath (S3).
ON THE ATTACK: Waterford United’s Jason Kabia tries to find a way past Trevor Molloy at Richmond Park last night.
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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
51
Local Heroes Anne O’Brien Stephen Bennett
@stebenn15
with her and there are lovely photos of the two of them walking the streets of Paris together.
In a new series, The Saint celebrates the local heroes who have made an indelible mark on the national and international sporting scene down through the decades. Our second Local Hero is Anne O'Brien - the trailblazing footballer and aunt of former St Pat's defender and current Director of Football, Ger O'Brien. Just go back in time for a moment to Inchicore in the 1950s - a time of harsh austerity, where the church ruled the State, and when children had little else to do for fun and enjoyment but play in the streets or a rare patch of grass. This was the Inchicore that Anne O'Brien was born into and the town where she first learned to kick a football. Born in 1956, little did anyone know back then where Anne O'Brien's love of soccer normally the sole preserve of boys at the time - would take her. She may have raised a few eyebrows and was quite possibly labelled a 'tomboy' for having the audacity to start kicking a ball on a regular basis in the first place.
52
Anne with France in 1974
would change the course of her life forever.
Anne while at Reims (France) in 1974
The fact that her death at the age of 60 in 2016 was international news will tell you how far the game had taken her and the influence she exerted. Shortly after her passing in Rome, her brother Tony, as part of an award-winning feature with the42.ie's Eoin O'Callaghan on Anne's amazing career, remembers her early years: "She started playing football from a very young age, on the road in Inchicore. She was about 14 when she played for a team called Julian Vards and they played out
of Donore Avenue or around that area. "She got her first football boots around that time, when my Mam finally gave in and bought her a pair." It's clear her fascination with the 'Beautiful Game' in the 1960s turned into a determination to take it a step further, to get boots and join a team. After a year at Julian Vards, Anne joined All-Stars - a Ballyfermotbased team for a stint which
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
A step up from Vards, the AllStars did exactly what they said on the tin - it was a collection of some of the best players from around Dublin.
"The game was against Stade de Reims from France who were on a tour of the country. She was only 17 at the time but afterwards they asked her to travel and play with them for the rest of the Irish tour. And after that it was all done really quickly.”
Following a number of hugely successful seasons with All-Stars, international recognition came in 1973 and with it an opportunity to impress on a bigger stage. Anne - still only 17 at the time didn't disappoint.
Such a move was groundbreaking in Irish and UK footballing circles - no female footballer from those shores had ever played professionally in mainland Europe before.
Tony told the42.ie: "She won everything with them (All-Stars) for a few years and it was through them that she was spotted, really. In the summer of 1973, she was called up to an Ireland Selection team.
After another successful stint where she helped Stade de Reims win three successive French championships between 1974 and 1976, her footballing skills was gaining her plenty of attention, as Tony O'Brien explains: “My Ma was in France
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
“She was after winning the French Cup and was after scoring a hat-trick in that game. Her face was all over the billboards. They called her ‘Nanou’, a nickname that was probably derived from Anne. And there were trips all over the world to play games too. She was in places like Guadeloupe and Haiti and those matches were watched by thousands of fans.” Anne - by now the shining light in a stellar Reims side and a forward in the classic number 10 sense - experienced another 'sliding doors' moment in 1976.
Paris, 1975
53
Local Heroes Anne O’Brien Stephen Bennett
@stebenn15
"It was brilliant to be there and to see her on the pitch. I know she was my sister but, my Jesus, she was a brilliant player. She was way better than half of them over in Italy. She nursed the ball and she fed the ball. "She fed everyone everything. A great passer, great control, great technique. Brilliant at taking the ball down from the air. Dribbling. Crossing for the forwards. Then, bang! Back of the net!
Anne with Lazio in 1985
Stade de Reims had embarked on a tour of Italy and Anne instantly attracted interest, most notably from Lazio. Still only 20, Inchicore's own Anne O'Brien headed for the bright lights of Rome, and was about to dazzle there too. “The money was much better in Italy,” Tony explains. "She was always happy there because it was Rome and she loved it. That was her home, really.” At the end of her first season, Anne had helped Lazio win the Coppa Italia, beating the reigning champions Milan in a penalty shootout. In 1979, Anne and Lazio had won their first Italian league title and retained
54
their crown the following season. Tony explained to the42.ie the type of player she was and the joy he derived from watching her play. “I would’ve been over a lot to watch her and it was brilliant,” Tony says. “The matches were packed out and the way they did it over there was that if it was a big game like the semi-final of the cup, they’d have the women on before a men’s fixture so everyone would be in the ground and it would nearly be full capacity for the last part of the women’s match.”
"And isn’t it a pity that we don’t have any videos of her playing? There might be something out there but it’s probably like trying to find a needle in a haystack. "There could have been a fella taping a men’s game and even caught the final few minutes of a women’s fixture. But maybe we’ll never know.” The sad lack of media exposure and international recognition put paid to a lot of things in Anne O'Brien's career. It perhaps robbed Anne and her family of footage of her in her prime playing days and the logistics of representing her country while playing abroad meant Anne, sadly, won only four Ireland caps.
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
Paul O’Brien with Paul McGrath at FAI HQ
“She would always come back in the summer and every Christmas too,” Tony recalls. “In conversations in the house she would talk about it. But there was always a money element involved in those days with the Irish women’s team. "There was very little to go around and I’m not sure if there was even much given to the players. If I remember correctly, around 1980 there was a story about them having to pay their own way to Wales or Scotland. "The trip was only subsidised and not fully covered. Anne played a lot for Ireland when she was younger and on one occasion they did fly her home for a game against the Netherlands.”
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
Not allowing the grass to grow under her in a brilliant club career, Anne was on the move again in 1982 to Trani - another Italian club situated on the west coast. The move coincided with more success as she lifted an Italian Cup and helped Trani finish runners-up in her first season before going one better and winning the league title a year later - Anne's third 'scudetto' in eight years. A return to Lazio brought another Italian Cup success and as she reached her 30s, she enjoyed further stints at Modena - during which she gave birth to a son, Andrea - Napoli and Prato. “She was back playing straight away,” Tony said.
55
Club Shop
Ronan O’Flaherty
https://supersaintsstore.com/
Home Jersey Small Youths to 4XL
Staff Match Day Jacket Small Youths to 3XL
56
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50 65
@karl_pats
Home Walk Out Jacket Small Youths to 4XL
Home Warm Up Jersey Small Youths to 4XL
50 65
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Away Jersey Small Youths to 4XL
Red Training Jersey
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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
Small Youths to 3XL
50 65
27
White Training Jersey Small to 3XL
Navy Training Jersey
35
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
Small to 3XL
35
35 57
A View from Afar
Ronan O’Flaherty
Ian Templeman
@iantemplemanloi
I was intrigued recently to read about a new website that has been set up to record the history of Luton Town FC. The site is run by an organisation called Hatters' Heritage, a volunteer-run charity which has recently been established under the guidance of Luton Town Club Historian Roger Wash, and has received UK National Heritage Lottery funding to undertake and implement an interesting concept that other clubs would do well to look at.
club history documented and uploaded, there is still much to admire about the work that has been done so far.
reports, photographs, and most fascinating of all for me, you are able to download a full colour PDF of the match programme.
Simply by typing in the link above and landing on the home page, you are greeted with a colourful and well laid out screen full of links to the impressive array of information that is on the site already.
Best of all, that feature is in place for both home and away games, so by clicking on those, you are able to get an interesting insight not only to Luton programmes from those seasons, but all their
Hatters Heritage adopted its constitution with a clearly stated objective: “The objects of the Society are for the advancement of education to benefit the public by encouraging the preservation and appreciation of the heritage and history of Luton Town Football Club”.
You are also invited, via a pop-up message, to read a statement from the afore mentioned Roger Wash, where he sets out the target end result for the site: “Eventually, we will be publishing every page of every programme, every photo we hold, every match report, club minute books and handbooks plus photos of memorabilia. On top of this, there will be player profiles and a variety of features relating to our rich history including contri-
a full record of every competitive match that Luton Town have played from 1885 to 2014, including tables, players appearances and photographs. Following the link brings up the message “Please note that this is a large file and may take time to download”…. I imagine it would, and I didn’t bother proceeding to try it out either. There is much to admire on the site, and I enjoyed the “Features” section, which covers a wide variety of memorabilia and topics, such as an eight minute long film, containing highlights of Luton Town’s 4-1 win over Preston North End on 27th September 1958, which was notable as the debut game for Billy Bingham, who of course went to manage Everton and took Northern Ireland to two World Cup final tournaments in 1982 and 1986.
opponents too.
The website – which can be found at www.hattersheritage.co.uk – is already up and running and the eventual aim is to have a comprehensive website depicting the 133year history of the Club, which will include match reports, programmes, photographs and imagery of each match (where the material exists), together with player information. While the site is very much work in progress, it is already well worth a visit, and although it will obviously take some time to get an entire
58
butions made at three Roadshows last year”. So far, there are full season’s worth of information on the club’s games in the following seasons: 1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70, 1970-71, 197172, 1972-73, 1973-74, 1974-75, 1977-78, 1978-79, 1981-82, 200102 and 2004-05. For games in those seasons, you are able to view and read individual details on each one, including newspaper match
I have absolutely no connection with Luton Town as a club, or indeed the town itself, and in my 30-odd years of living in England and attending professional football matches here, I have probably seen the team play a few times but none of the games stick out as being exceptional. On that basis, and I mean this in the nicest possible way, Luton Town were never going to be a club that captured my attention for any particular reason, and probably never will either. None the less, I found browsing through this site absolutely captivating, and I think any football follower will too. The range of features and information already available to look at is like “Christmas come early” for all stattos and lovers of English football trivia. Just for starters, you can download
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
Also within this section of the site is “Memories of the Hatters” with stories, memories and images from fans in response to an initiative where supporters were invited to tell their own stories of their support for the club. There’s also match reports reproduced from Luton Town’s first ever game, which took place on Saturday 31st October 1885, when they travelled to meet Great Marlow F.C. in the FA Cup First Round. The quaint, old fashioned language used to describe the action that ensued on the day offers a tantalising snapshot of how a sports journalist described football action 136 years ago. Then there’s the Collection section, which gives you the chance to browse through memorabilila such as old match worn shirts, international caps, minutes books from club meetings and a series of scrapbooks in a downloadable PDF, which run from 1967 – 1970. These, we are told, were started in the summer of 1967 by a 15 year old Luton schoolboy who decided to keep a comprehensive scrapbook of newspapers cuttings about the club over the course of a season. There’s no doubt that any club looking to replicate what has been achieved by the Hatters Heritage team will face a daunting task that will take many years to
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
complete. But I do hope that this site serves as an inspiration for others to follow suit. We are currently living in times where what we use to consider as our normal activities are restricted, and many people will be looking for additional and new interests to occupy their time. So for many clubs, it could be that there will never be a better time than now to get fans and volunteers involved in getting together to plan similar projects. It’s obvious that much of the work involved wouldn’t necessarily need a great deal of expertise, just time and commitment to the jobs that need to be done, and many of them could just be picked off in spare time in small manageable chunks. And I get the impression that if anyone wanted to make a start on planning their own scheme like this, the guys at Hatters Heritage would be only too happy to give advice. I can see no reason why this model and method of recording a club’s history can’t be replicated elsewhere, and I do hope that others take inspiration from the work that Hatters Heritage have undertaken so far, and we see more sites like this appearing. The whole concept certainly offers plenty of food for thought.
59
Player Apps & Goals 2021 League of Ireland
Total
Start
Sub
App
Goals
Start
Sub
App
Goals
Start
Sub
App
Goals
Vítězslav Jaroš
5
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
5
0
John Mountney
5
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
5
0
Ian Bermingham
3
1
4
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
4
0
Sam Bone
4
0
4
1
0
0
0
0
4
0
4
1
Lee Desmond
5
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
5
0
Jamie Lennon
5
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
5
0
Robbie Benson
5
0
5
1
0
0
0
0
5
0
5
1
Chris Forrester
5
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
5
0
Nahum Marvin-Lambert
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
Ronan Coughlan
5
0
5
2
0
0
0
0
5
0
5
2
Jason McClellend
2
3
5
0
0
0
0
0
2
3
5
0
Matty Smith
5
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
5
0
Paddy Barrett
1
2
3
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
3
0
Billy King
2
2
4
1
0
0
0
0
2
2
4
1
Alfie Lewis
0
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
0
Darragh Burns
1
2
3
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
3
1
Ben McCormack
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Shane Griffin
2
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
2
0
Barry Murphy
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Josh Keeley
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Cian Kelly
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Kian Corbally
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Daniel Norris
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Jamie Whelan
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Own Goal
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
SSE Airtricity. Official Sponsor of the Premier Division.
FAI Cup
LAST 5 MATCHES
Pld
W
D
L
F
A
GD
Pts
1
Shamrock Rovers
5
3
2
0
8
4
4
11
W W
W
D
2
St Patrick's Athletic
5
3
2
0
7
3
4
11
D
W W W
D
3
Sligo Rovers
5
3
2
0
6
3
3
11
W
D
W W
D
4
Finn Harps
5
3
1
1
6
4
2
10
L
W
D
5
Drogheda United
5
2
2
1
8
4
4
8
D
W
D
L
6
Bohemians
5
2
1
2
4
4
0
7
W W
L
D
L
7
Longford Town
5
1
1
3
5
9
-4
4
L
L
L
D
W
8
Waterford
5
1
0
4
4
7
-3
3
L
L
W
L
L
9
Dundalk
5
0
2
3
4
7
-3
2
D
L
L
L
D
5
0
1
4
2
9
-7
1
D
L
L
L
L
10 Derry City
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
D
W W W
61 61
Results & Lineouts 2021 Date
Opposition
Fri 19 Mar
Shamrock Rovers
Sat 27 Mar Drogheda Utd
League
Venue Comp Score
4th Sub
5th Sub
1 Goals Scored P Penalty OG Own Goal For
Away Series 1
1-1
Jaroš
Mountney
Griffin
Desmond
Barrett
Lennon
King
Benson
Coughlan
Forrester
Smith
McClelland
Bone
Bermingham
Home Series 2
2-1
Jaroš
Mountney
Griffin
Desmond
Bone
Lennon
McClelland
Benson
Coughlan
1
Forrester
Smith
Bermingham
Burns
King
Coughlan
1
McClelland McClelland King
Bohemians
Away Series 3
1-0
Jaroš
Mountney
Bermingham
Desmond
Bone
Lennon
Burns
Benson
Derry City
Home Series 4
2-0
Jaroš
Mountney
Bermingham
Desmond
Bone
Lennon
King
Benson
Sat 17 Apr
Dundalk
Away Series 5
1-1
Jaroš
Mountney
Bermingham
Desmond
Bone
Lennon
McClelland
Benson
Tue 20 Apr
Waterford
Home Series 6
0-1
Fri 23 Apr
Finn Harps
Away Series 7
0-1
Fri 30 Apr
Longford Town
Home Series 8
0-1Supersub Darragh Burns hits the second for St Pats versus Derry City.
Away Series 9
0-1
Fri 07 May
Shamrock Rovers Home Series 10
0-1
Fri 14 May
Drogheda Utd
Away Series 11
0-1
Fri 21 May
Bohemians
Home Series 12
0-1
Mon 24 May Derry City
Away Series 13
0-1
Fri 28 May
Home Series 14
0-1
Sat 12 June Longford Town
Away Series 15
0-1
Fri 18 June Sligo Rovers
Home Series 16
0-1
Mon 21 June Finn Harps
Home Series 17
0-1
Fri 25 June
Waterford
Away Series 18
0-1
Fri 02 July
Bohemians
Away Series 19
0-1
Fri 09 July
Derry City
Home Series 20
0-1
Fri 16 July
Drogheda Utd
Home Series 21
0-1
Fri 30 July
Shamrock Rovers
Away Series 22
0-1
Fri 06 Aug
Dundalk
Away Series 23
0-1
Fri 13 Aug
Waterford
Home Series 24
0-1
Fri 20 Aug
Finn Harps
Away Series 25
0-1
Fri 03 Sept Longford Town
Home Series 26
0-1
Sat 11 Sept Sligo Rovers
Away Series 27
0-1
Fri 24 Sept Shamrock Rovers Home Series 28
0-1
Fri 01 Oct
Drogheda Utd
Away Series 29
0-1
Fri 08 Oct
Bohemians
Home Series 30
0-1
Fri 15 Oct
Derry City
Away Series 31
0-1
Mon 25 Oct Dundalk
Home Series 32
0-1
Sat 30 Oct
Longford Town
Away Series 33
0-1
Fri 05 Nov
Sligo Rovers
Home Series 34
0-1
Fri 12 Nov
Finn Harps
Home Series 35
0-1
Fri 19 Nov
Waterford
Away Series 36
0-1
Extra.ie FAI Cup Dates
EA Sports Cup
1st Round - Week Ending 25th July
The 2021 edition of the EA Sports Cup has been cancelled
2nd Round - Week Ending 29th August
1
* Own Goal
Yellow Card
Red Card
Substitutes
Fri 09 Apr
Dundalk
1st Sub 2nd Sub 3rd Sub
Starting XI
Sat 03 Apr
Mon 03 May Sligo Rovers
FAI Cup
1
Forrester
Smith
Barrett
Coughlan
Forrester
Smith
Burns
Coughlan
Forrester
Smith
Barrett
1
Burns
Kelly
McCormack Melvin-Lambert
Murphy
Keeley
Corbally
Lewis
McCormack Melvin-Lambert
Murphy
Keeley
King
Corbally
Lewis
McCormack Melvin-Lambert
Murphy
Keeley
Lewis
Melvin-Lambert
Barrett
McCormack Corbally
Murphy
Keeley
Lewis
Corbally
Burns
McCormack Melvin-Lambert
Murphy
Keeley
1
Quarter Finals - Week Ending 19th September Semi-Finals - Week Ending 24th October Final - Week Ending November 28th
62
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.32 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford
63
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