First LSL Fixtures

The "A" Squad playing in Division 3 will kick off at 14.30hrs on Saturday 18th August 2007 against Ballyouster at home (Shanganagh Cliffs), while the "B" Squad playing in Division 3A will have its Leinster Senior League debut on the same day at 14.30hrs against Pioneers at St. Anne's, Raheny. The "A" Squad will play its first away game on Monday 20th August 2007 against Blackrock College at 18.30hrs at Newtownparklands. The "B" Squad's first home game will be on Tuesday 21st August 2007 at 19.00hrs against Brighton Celtic.

"Dunleary Town"

Many members and supporters noticed that the Club was entered on the website of the Leinster Senior League http://www.lsl.ie as "Dunleary Town" and contacted the Chairperson regarding this misspelling of the Club's name. The Chairperson contacted the Secretary of the LSL who undertook to have the correct spelling inserted. However, the LSL Fixtures published on Monday 13th August 2007 in the "Evening Herald" also used "Dunleary Town" and this generated several complaints to the Chairperson of the Club. To clarify the matter, the Club is registered with the Leinster Senior League as "Dún Laoghaire Town Football Club" and therefore, this should be the spelling utilised by the League. The Chairperson has written a letter of complaint to the League regarding the misspelling if the Club's name. To further clarify the matter, there has never been a town of "Dunleary" in Ireland and contrary to the erroneous assertions of some, "Dunleary" is not an alternative spelling of Dún Laoghaire. Dunleary was a small area in the Town of Kingstown, County Dublin, the Urban District Council of which, changed its name in 1919 to Dún Laoghaire and the town itself was given the name officially in 1921. The name of the harbour was changed to Dún Laoghaire by Section 10 of the State Harbours Act, 1924. The Board of the Club expects that the Leinster Senior League will rectify the matter very shortly.

Shankill Gardaí Come On-Board

At the Board Meeting held on Wednesday 8th August 2007, Garda David Jones and Garda Tom Brereton of Shankill Garda Station advised the Board of their successful endeavours in the Shanganagh area to establish an Under 16's Boys Team. The Shankill Gardaí were very impressed with the work undertaken by the Club both in the Dún Laoghaire area and recently in the Shankill area. It was agreed to fully incorporate the Shankill initiative into the Club's plans and hopefully, the Under 16 Boys Team will be competing in a Dublin wide league very soon. The involvement of An Gárda Síochána in local initiatives of this nature has proved very successful throughout the Greater Dublin Region and indeed, our own Community Garda John Paul Durkan of Dún Laoghaire Garda Station has been a longtime advocate of these "youth diversionary initiatives" in local communities. The support of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and the RAPID Programme is also welcomed and appreciated by the Club Board.

"B" Squad Prepares for Leinster Senior League

The players of the "B" Squad under Manager Abrahim Abdul-Wahid are preparing hard for their debut in the Leinster Senior League in Division 3A. The squad has been training at Herbert Park in Dublin City for the past few months and held their first friendly game against a League side in the park on Tuesday August 6th 2007. The game against Bath Markiewicz Celtic was a very spirited game marked by some great displays of sheer determination and skill by the young players of the "B" Squad. Watched by the Club Chairman, Michael Merrigan and the Club Development Officer, Ian M. Kane, the lads gave a good strong account of themselves against the more experienced opposition. The lads even succeeded in encouraging the Club Development Officer to play in the second half for about twenty minutes due to some light injuries amongst our players. This was especially remarkable as this was the first competitive game in which most of the Squad had played together as a team and it was certainly a great game to watch. Good work lads!! The final score was DLTFC 1 : Bath Markiewicz Celtic 4

"The Town" joins Leinster Senior League

Dún Laoghaire Town FC will have two teams competing in the Leinster Senior League this year in Divisions 3 and 3A. It was agreed that our "A" Squad under Japo Kelly would play in Division 3 with the "B" Squad under Abrahim Abdul-Wahid competing in Division 3A. This is certainly an exciting and challenging time for the Club as it was always the intention of the Club founders, Ian and Abrahim, to one day have our teams playing in the Leinster Senior League. It appears that most of the matches will be played in the Greater Dublin Region and, of course, on our home pitch at Shanganagh on Saturdays. The organisers of the League have assured the Club that there will be no clashes of match schedules for Dún Laoghaire Town's teams between the two Divisions of the League. The League Tables and the match fixtures will be posted on the website of Leinster Senior League at http://www.lsl.ie/ for further information contact Japo Kelly on 087 959 1216 or Abrahim Abdul-Wahid on 086 120 6666.

Important Decisions Taken at Board Meeting

The Board of Directors of the Club met on Saturday 23rd June 2007 in Park House, Library Road, Dún Laoghaire to discuss a very full agenda. Besides unanimously agreeing to the co-option of Alan Turner, Ann Traynor and Luke MacMahon, the Board formally adopted the Strategic Development Plan and agreed to entering two adult teams in the Leinster Senior League, one Under 16 team in the Dublin District Schoolboys' League and to establish a girls' Under 13 team. The Board devoted a considerable amount of time to a proposal by Darren "Japo" Kelly, Manager of the "A" Squad, for the introduction of certain disciplinary measures, including fines for transgression by players. The members of the Board had to consider this matter carefully given the various players' rights that are contained in the Club's Standing Orders. Player Director, Kevin Plunkett (pictured above on the left speaking with Club Development Officer, Ian Kane) stressed the need for discipline and adherence to the Code of Conduct, but also that the rights enjoyed by players under Standing Orders should be fully respected. The Board adopted a proposal allowing for the imposition of fines within the existing framework. The next Board meeting will be held on Tuesday 3rd July 2007 at Park House, Library Road, Dún Laoghaire.

New Chairman Elected at 2007 AGM

A new Club Chairman was elected at the Club's Annual General held on Wednesday 13th June 2007 in Weirs of Dún Laoghaire. Michael Merrigan (pictured left) was the Club's Public Relations Officer for a number of years before succeeding Abrahim Abdul Wahid as Chairman. Abrahim was elected as Vice-Chairman; Luke Martin, Hon. Secretary; Noel Vaughan, Hon. Treasurer; Cllr. Cormac Devlin, Public Relations Officer; Ian M. Kane, Club Development Officer and the Board nominated Kevin Plunkett and Gabriel Akujobi as Player Representatives on the Board. Mr. Alan Turner and Ms. Ann Traynor of Shanganagh will be co opted as Board members at the first meeting of the new Board which is due to take place on Saturday June 23rd 2007.

The "A" and "B" Squads

The Strategic Development Plan for the Club will have to be amended to take account of the possibility of the Club fielding two adult teams, one Under 16 and one Under 18 boys' team and a girls team. In the meantime, the listing below for both the "A" and "B" Squads is only provisional as these lists are currently undergoing an in-depth review by the Managers in order to prepare for the forthcoming season. Queries regarding the lists should be directed to either Japo Kelly (087 959 1216) or Abrahim Abdul Wahid (086 120 6666).

"The Town" Comes to Shanganagh

Dún Laoghaire Town Football Club had its inaugural match at its new home ground at Shanganagh Cliffs on Saturday 5th May 2007. The game involved teams drawn from the "A" and "B" Squads and included many new signings from the Shanganagh area. In the week running up to the match, Ian Kane and Kevin Plunkett organised and supervised the relocation of the container (temporary dressing rooms) from Ballawley Park to Shanganagh Cliffs. Later Japo Kelly and Ian Kane undertook the marking of the pitch. So all was ready for the inaugural match on Saturday. As expected there was much local interest in the Club, indeed, a deputation of local lads led by Kevin Moran sought and received assurances on the establishment of an Under 16's Team from the Chairman whilst Anne Traynor, local community activist, sought to have the girls of the area included. Clearly, the Club has much work to do with the possibilities now of two adult teams, one Under 18's and one Under 16's boys' teams and two girls' teams now on offer. This is a magnificent start for the Club in Shanganagh, for which, the Club is sincerely grateful to the local community, especially Anne Traynor, Alan Turner and Kevin Moran. The match ended "A" Squad 2 : "B" Squad 1 and it proved to be a great opportunity for both Abrahim and Japo to try out new players and players in different positions. The goals came from Jay Kane and Glen Forsythe for the "A" Squad and from Boye Karunwi for the "B" Squad. Another match is planned for next week. "The Town" has come to Shanganagh ...... at last!!

Captain & Facilities Director View Container

With the plans for the move to Shanganagh now in full swing, Paddy Kershaw, Captain, and Ian Kane, Facilities Director (left in photo.), accompanied Dún Laoghaire Community Garda Paul Durkan to view a 40th (12.20m) box-container for use as a temporary Dressing Room at Shanganagh. The container will require a small degree of work to bring it up to an acceptable standard for use at the new pitch. It has been converted into a two-room dressing room facility but has not be used for some time. Looking like a lick or two of paint wouldn't go a miss - it's not bad for a start!! Plans to have it transported from its present location to Shanganagh are currently being considered and a suitable location at Shanganagh Cliffs is being discussed with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council's Parks Department. The Club's new Strategic Development Plan aims to provide a more permanent facility in due course.

Just Not Our Day - Friday 13th April 2007

Well, much has been said and much more believed regarding the omens surrounding Friday the 13th - whatever the case, luck certainly bypassed Dún Laoghaire Town FC on that day at Three Rock Rovers when a scrappy match ended in a One Nil defeat by Sandyford. Report by Ian Kane to follow later.

Dún Laoghaire v. WWF - Friday 30th March 2007

A long awaited clash between old rivals Dún Laoghaire Town FC and WWF took place on the front pitch at Three Rock Rovers on Friday 30th March 2007 at 20.00hrs. Going into the game the Dún Laoghaire lads were certainly up for this match to make amends for being knocked out of the Cup last week on penos. Dún Laoghaire kicked off playing from left to right and the pace was set right from the whistle. As you would expect with this rivalry there were a few tough tackles in the opening minutes. But the lads of "The Town" weren't long getting the ball down and started to knock it about creating one or two half chances from the down the left wing. It was a bit of a stalemate for the next ten minutes or so. Dún Laoghaire with some of our key players back in action were soon to create chance upon chance with the young Steve McAfee twisting and turning to unleash a shot down to the keeper's left which came back off the upright. As Dún Laoghaire had most of the possession causing the WWF lads to work very hard to get a touch of the ball. With some excellent one two touch football from Dún Laoghaire again coming close to scoring with Daniel Downey making a brilliant run down the left wing and cutting inside to smash a shot off the near post. Though having most of the possession Dún Laoghaire failed to capitalise as we headed in to half time. WWF kicked off the second half but the Dún Laoghaire lads were straight out at them and within a minute or so Luke Murphy had a fine shot from about 30 yards which just went wide of the post. Dún Laoghaire were once again on top creating many chances the best coming from a corner from Thomas Downey which Luke Murphy headed towards goal forcing the WWF keeper to make a fine save with his outstretched right arm but he needed a second grasp to secure it. Dún Laoghaire again knocking the ball about quite comfortably causing a sequence of three corners with the first two being cleared for corners, third time lucky, Daniel Downey stood up to take the corner kick which he sent a quality ball into the box with Luke Murphy making a great run, timing his jump perfectly to head the ball down into the ground and into the back of the net. Straight from the tip off there was no holding Dún Laoghaire back as they were pressurising the ball forcing WWF to play the ball backwards. With Dún Laoghaire getting control of the ball causing all sorts problems for the WWF defenders and again hitting the bar from a fine shot from Thomas Downey (pictured above left) . With about five to six minutes remaining WWF pushing forward to get an equalizer creating some chances down the left wing which came to Ian Kane and Dean McAfee making some great last ditch crunching tackles to keep Dún Laoghaire on course for a win that they so richly deserved. All in all Dún Laoghaire making a fine team effort working very hard for one another. Final score: DLTFC 1 WWF 0. (Reporter: Ian Kane)

NightHawks League Cup - Quarter Final

The Quarter Final of the Nighthawks League had Dún Laoghaire Town FC face the lads of East Coast FC on Friday 23rd March 2007 on the front pitch at Three Rock Rovers. Dún Laoghaire started the game playing from left to right as this was a very important match for both teams it started off a bit cagey. But this was soon to change as a great move down the left wing by Dún Laoghaire with a number of players involved produced a great sequence of play which ended with Daniel Downey swinging the ball in from the left wing and Kevin Plunkett (pictured right) coming close with a fine header which went narrowly wide to the keeper's right. Dún Laoghaire started to kick into gear with a number of chances but lacked cutting edge in front of goal. As Dún Laoghaire got the ball down on the deck and started passing the ball around but failing to create much as East Coast were very solid in defence. It was a bit of a midfield game in that period producing little by way of chances for either team. But as the ball broke to East Coast in the midfield involving their Centre Midfielder and Left Winger - East Coast scored a fine goal on the break just before the half. Japo's half-time pep talk seemed to fire up the lads as Dún Laoghaire came back out in fighting form for the second half creating some more chances but again just failed to find that finishing touch. But all was soon to change as Dún Laoghaire won a free kick just inside East Coast's half which Thomas Downey, the dead-ball specialist, stood to take, whipping in a quality ball into the penalty area which ended up in the back of the net with a slight touch from an East Coast player. All was to play for now as Dún Laoghaire got the equalizer they so deserved with Dún Laoghaire pushing forward for the winning goal creating more and more chances but as in the first half we found it very hard to break them down. Just as the end Dún Laoghaire had a great chance to clinch the game with young Steve McAfee just pulling his shot wide from just outside the box leaving the score at 1 : 1 and the dreaded penalties to come. As usual the Captain, Paddy Kershaw, stood up to take the first penalty which he calmly slotted home. With both teams scoring their first four penalties it was Dean McAfee up to take Dún Laoghaire's fifth which he smashed against the crossbar leaving it down to East Coast to take them into the Semi Finals of the NightHawks League Cup with a fine last penalty of the game into the top right hand corner. The final score DLTFC 1 : East Coast 1 and then 5 : 4 to East Coast on penalties. (Reporter: Ian Kane)

5th Match in the Premier Division

On Friday 16th March 2007 at 19.00hrs at Three Rock Rovers, Dún Laoghaire Town FC faced the lads of Image Now in an exciting encounter which came right down to the line with Image Now getting a late goal to clinch the game. Dún Laoghaire FC went 2 down in the first half and Japo's lads fought back to level as the match drew to a close with two superb goals from the very talented Luke Murphy (pictured above). But just before the whistle, Image Now scored the winning goal leaving the score: DLTFC 2 : Image Now FC 3. According to the Captain, Paddy Kershaw, the lads of "The Town" gave a very good account of themselves in what was a tough and, at times, very fast game. The match on Friday 23rd March 2007 will see Dún Laoghaire FC play in the Quarter Final of the NightHawks Cup against East Coast at 22.00hrs at Three Rock Rovers.

4th Premier League Game - Fri. 9th March 2007

Dún Laoghaire Town FC faced Aston Village FC in the 4th game of the NightHawks Premier League on Friday 9th March 2007 at 21.00hrs on the back pitch at Three Rock Rovers. The game certainly did not produce great football, though, Dún Laoghaire Town FC was in control from the outset. Two fine goals, firstly by our newest signing, Dean Byrne, (no picture available) and the second by the young and very talented, Stephen McAfee, (pictured below in blog) sealed the game for Dún Laoghaire. The Captain, Paddy Kershaw, (pictured right) was forced out of the game through injury during the second half, however, he should be fit for our game on Friday 16th March 2007. The loss of Paddy's skill, strength and determination in the defence was certainly very visible as Aston Village FC attempted to get back into the game in the final ten or fifteen minutes. But Japo Kelly quickly noticed the danger and reorganised the defence as Paddy directed matters from the sideline. Final score: DLTFC 2 : Aston Village FC 0