Third Match in the Wally Winn Cup (29.03.08)

We travelled to Walkinstown Park for our third match in the Wally Winn Cup on Saturday 29th March 2008 to meet Walkinstown United. Before the game it looked as if the skies were just about to open up and drown the pitch, indeed, one of the Walkinstown lads jokingly said that if they won the toss they should "play against the tide". He didn't have to worry as the rain held off for the entire match. The game was a tense and tough affair with both sides determined to progress in the Cup. The lads of "The Town" were certainly up for this game despite, once again, missing a number of our strong regular players. Twenty minutes into the first half produced few chances for either team as sold defences held firm. However, an unfortunate lapse of concentration in our midfield allowed Walkinstown to put away an easy goal - a lead they held right up to the break. At the break our Manager, Japo Kelly, encouraged the lads to keep up the pressure on the opposition and to take every chance available - be confident, he urged. At the restart the pep-talk seemed to hit home as the lads came out in great spirits and it showed in the quality of play. However, it wasn't long before the fitness levels of the two squads became a deciding factor as Walkinstown began to heavily pressure our defence. Our youngest players, Daniel Cruise, Gary Leonard and Nathan Jennings, all from Shanganagh, gave a great account of themselves against much stronger and taller opponents. Japo's decision to take off Nathan Jennings midway in the second half was, to say the least, a bit puzzling. Replacement Kevin Plunkett, despite his pace and determination, had a very tough game. The host's second goal was a shocking and embarrassing display of a combination of errors by our midfield, defence and goalkeeper. With two goals up, the Walkinstown lads sensed that it was all over but our forwards Jay Kane and Kevin Corcoran kept up the pressure. Alas easy chances were just not going our way - even with a near open goalmouth!!. But to be fair to the lads, the team played with determination and never gave up the fight. They came out of strong tackles, sometimes with very hard knocks, and continued to give it their all. Indeed, all the team members could and possibly should, be cited here as each and everyone deserves praise for their tenacity and hard work during this very tough match. Final score: Walkinstown United 2 : DLTFC 0 (pictured above, Jay Kane battles his way through stiff opposition)

"The Town" Joins the Campaign

The campaign launched by the Dún Laoghaire Community Association to have a memorial erected in the Town Centre of Dún Laoghaire to the eponymous founder of the "dún" (stone fortress) that gave its name to the Town is gathering support. The proposal for the erection of an iconic monument to Laoghaire who was High King of Ireland between 428AD and 461AD received the support of the County Council's Strategic Policy Committee on Culture, Community Development & Amenities and now the Community Association is intensifying its campaign. Pictured at the public launch of the campaign are (from left) Cllr. John Bailey, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council; Ian M. Kane, Director & Co-Founder of the Club; Stephanie Batt, Dún Laoghaire Tidy Towns Committee and Club Chairperson, Michael Merrigan. The momument behind is of that the Gaulish leader Vercingetorix in Alesia, France. The Community Association has suggested that an impressive, iconic monument such as a scaled version of that to Vercingetorix should be placed in our Town Centre. This Club which has as its emblem the Sacred Black Bull of High King Laoghaire would most certainly welcome such a monument. (click on photo to enlarge - photo by Ken Finlay)

Park Celtic 2 : DLTFC 1 (22.03.08)

Whilst the "B" Squad was been mauled in Ratoath, Co. Meath, it was quite another story back in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown on Saturday 22nd March 2008 as the "A" Squad faced local foe Park Celtic at Meadowvale. Park Celtic hoping to repeat their triumphal win over "The Town" at the beginning of the month came out in a buoyant mood brimming with confidence and sure of an easy win. Japo Kelly's lads were ready and Park Celtic were near shell shocked at the performance of the "A" Squad. Tight and effective defending, good solid passes and teamwork produced the goods as with only three minutes to go the teams were level with one goal a piece. The very talented young striker from Shankill, Dean Kelly (pictured above) once again doing the business for "The Town" with a remarkably executed and simply superb goal. But then, three minutes to the whistle, Park Celtic clenched the winning goal. Disappointed but proud of a solid performance, the lads of "The Town" must be congratulated for a job well done. Final score: Park Celtic 2 : DLTFC 1

A Right Royal Hammering

On Saturday 22nd March 2008 the "B" Squad travelled to the picturesque village of Ratoath in County Meath to meet Ratoath Harps in the final match of the season in Division 3A. It was a bitterly cold day with a cutting wind blowing right across this very exposed pitch. The ground itself was soggy to soft - understandably the host Club was very concerned about this pitch and had insisted that if there had been any rain overnight the match was certainly in doubt. Acting Manager, Ian M. Kane, fielded a team, most of whom, had never played together before. Many of the regular members of the "B" Squad were unavailable due to the holiday weekend - so Ian did his best. Well, as expected, we got a right royal hammering at the hands of the County Meath lads as the first half produced three mediocre wind assisted goals for the hosts. At the break, Ian implored his raggle-taggle bunch to pass the ball, push forward, hit everything forward and to pressure their goalmouth. Sounds familiar? Well it worked last week. The second half was a mirror image of the first and three more lackluster goals were added to the host's total before the referee put us all out of our misery by blowing the final whistle. Final score: Ratoath Harps 6 : DLTFC 0 (pictured above, Johnny Kelly and Joey O'Reilly - the picture says it all!!)

Mud Bath - But Great Match

On Saturday 15th March 2008, the "B" Squad was at home to Clonee United on what must have been the wettest, windiest and coldest days yet at Shanganagh Cliffs. Many members before the match speculated that the referee would call off the match, but thanks to the drainage system on the pitch, it was playable. Standing on the sideline was difficult enough and the playing conditions could only be described as muddy, slippery and soaking wet. But both teams were certainly up for the game as Acting Manager, Ian Kane, rallied the lads before the match with some words of encouragement and warning. The latter was a thinly veiled reference to yellow and red card instances in the recent past - any dissent, he said, and your off!! Ian fielded a relatively young squad the majority of which were smaller, lighter and much younger than any of the visitors. This difference between the squads was very evident as the visitors took an early control of the game with two fine goals before the break. At the break, Ian clearly was determined to claw back the game so he insisted that we push everything and everyone up to pressure their goalmouth. His tactic worked exceedingly well with a beautiful goal from young Nathan Jennings, (pictured above) followed by near miss after near miss, across the goalmouth, hitting the woodwork and going just over. The visitors were visibly rattled though, with their greater strength and experience they managed to hold on until the final whistle. After the match the visitors admitted that it was a very tough game and praised our lads for their vigorous come-back in the second half, unfortunately, with only one goal to show for all the effort. All in all, despite the appalling weather conditions, the lads themselves, muddied, blooded and soaking wet, all agreed that it was probably the best match of the season so far irrespective of the result. It was evidently as enjoyable to watch as to play. Certainly, a great game lads, well done. Final score: DLTFC 1 : Clonee United 2

Loughlinstown Leisure Centre

The Wednesday night block booking of the indoor training facility at Loughlinstown Leisure Centre has been cancelled following the acquisition by the Board of equipment that will permit training sessions to be undertaken at Shanganagh Cliffs. It is envisaged that these training sessions will commence next week. For further information please contact Ian Kane on 085 764 7900 or ian_m_kane@hotmail.com

Park Celtic win on St. David's Day

Saturday March 1st 2008 - St. David's Day for our Celtic cousins across the Irish Sea and without doubt the saintly Welshman certainly favoured the visitors, Park Celtic, at Shanganagh Cliffs this afternoon. The Division 3 match kicked-off at 14.30hrs in bright sunshine with hardly a breeze coming in from the sea. This suited the lads of the "A" Squad who opened the score barely minutes into the first half with a fine goal by young Nathan Jennings of Shankill. The visitors regained their composure and within ten minutes had equalised. But it wasn't long before the lads of "The Town" were back in fighting form attacking the Park Celtic goal with a passion unfortunately too rarely witnessed and it paid off with an excellent goal from yet another very talented young Shankill player, Dean Kelly. But, as luck will have it, the visitors with their more disciplined tactics and, it must be said, superb passing, quickly equalised leaving it 2 all at the break. The second half was certainly a different game altogether as the visitors vigorously and relentlessly pressured the home goal. They were certainly greatly aided by a strong to, at times, gale force wind coming in from the Irish Sea hampering and utterly frustrating our defenders. With the strong wind advantage, no doubt thanks to the saintly Welsh fan, the visitors all too easily put three further goals on the scoreboard. Final score: DLTFC 2 : Park Celtic 5 Note: the Division 3A match against Clonee for the "B" Squad was postponed as the home pitch was double-booked. (pictured above, Nathan Jennings is congratulated by his team-mates on the fine opening goal of the match)

Dressing Rooms Refurbished

The Dressing Rooms at Shanganagh Cliffs consist of a 12.20m converted box container which was "kitted-out" on a very temporary basis at the start of the season by Ross Rogerson and Joey O'Reilly in order that the Club could meet the requirements for entering the Leinster Senior League. This temporary job proved sufficient for most of the season, however, it was always the intention of the Board to have a more permanent refurbishment carried out at the end of the season. Following the obtaining of quotations from local carpenters in the Dún Laoghaire area, the Board decided to offer the job to Kevin Murdock, Carpentry & Building Services (Tel: 086 887 3716). With both squads rested over the weekend of the Galway Trip it was decided to avail of this opportunity to totally refurbish the container to provide new seating with under-seat storage areas in both dressing rooms, new storage rooms at either end of the container, new shelving and new strengthened glass for the windows in both the home and away dressing rooms. The completed works were inspected by members of the Board, including Mrs. Lori Kelly, (pictured above) on Saturday March 1st 2008 and all expressed considerable satisfaction with a job very well done indeed. The next phase of the refurbishment will involve a complete paint job - exterior and interior. Just before the arrival of the "A" Squad for the Division 3 game against Park Celtic, the Chairman posted the amended "Code of Conduct" (see bottom of web-blog) and a copy of the Club's Child Protection Policy on the notice board in the home dressing room. Copies of these documents will be made available in booklet form to all members, playing and non-playing, in the near future.