Shamrock Rovers

 

Back then the fans stepped in to fund the club helping it emerge from examinership in the ownership of its supporters, bouncing back from relegation before eventually reaching the promised land of Tallaght in 2009.  So forgive us Rovers fans if we are not going to enjoy these exciting times at our club!

 

In our debut season in the Setanta Cup, Rovers captain Dan Murray lifted the trophy following the 2-0 win over Dundalk in the final played at Tallaght Stadium.  In the league, Derry City and Sligo Rovers pushed the Hoops hard.  However, in the penultimate game of the season, Rovers secured our 17th league title thanks to Dean Kelly’s injury time winner.  The celebrations involving players, substitutes and fans after the winning goal and final whistle will be indelible images of the season.

 

That league title win was made even more remarkable by Rovers achieving it whilst involved in a lengthy six-month, 12 game European odyssey in Tallinn, Copenhagen, Belgrade, London, Salonika and Kazan.  Impressively, each time Rovers returned from Europe they won the next league game.

 

It was a privilege for me to have been part of the small group of 43 Rovers fans who were in Belgrade in August to see Irish domestic football history made, as the club became the first Irish side to qualify for the group stages of a European competition.  Against Partizan, Rovers won thanks to Pat Sullivan’s superb second half volley and Stephen O’Donnell’s pressure penalty six minutes from the end of extra time.  

 

The celebrations in the away section of the stadium included screaming, shouting, hugging and tears – and that was just my reaction!  At the final whistle on an unforgettable night, there was delirium on the pitch and in the stands with the celebrations going long into the night back at the team hotel where the travelling party of players, officials and fans watched the highlights of the game together.

 

In the Europa League, the Hoops, whilst never disgraced, were well beaten in all of the home games.  There is no doubt that the highlight of the group stages was going 1-0 up in White Hart Lane.  Stephen Rice’s goal celebrated with great gusto in front of the 4,000 strong travelling support saw the Hoops lead Spurs for ten glorious second half minutes before eventually losing 3-1.  It is never nice to lose a game but I can safely say that it was the most enjoyable defeat I’ve witnessed in my 25 years supporting the Hoops!

 

With the departure from Rovers this month of Michael O’Neill, who has taken over as Northern Ireland manager, Stephen Kenny was quickly installed as the new Rovers manager.  The club’s chairman Jonathan Roche speaking this week made it clear that Kenny was “the board’s unanimous choice” appointed because of “what we think we can achieve together in the future.”  

 

That future should see a greater emphasis on the quality of football played at Rovers following criticisms in some quarters of the style under Michael O’Neill.  “I’m looking forward to coming here to put out a team to play exciting football,” said Kenny speaking at Tallaght Stadium on Wednesday.  

 

“I want to entertain the fans. I want them to look forward to coming to games, to be exhilarated and excited by the football that they come to watch.”  If that style is also effective in winning trophies, then everyone at Rovers will be very happy.