This article is from page 91 of the 2007-06-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 91 JPG
AND so the curtain has finally come down on Clare’s soccer season. Eve- ryone in the County Grounds on Saturday evening were singing from the same hymn sheet. It was some curtain call for fans of the garrison game.
There were many strands to make the occasion. The summer sunshine was one such strand — the biggest advertisement yet that summer soc- cer could be the way to if the game is finally flourish.
The hard sod, shaved to within a couple of inches of its life by dedi- cated groundsman Tommy Austin; the sun on players’ backs. Then came the football, something shy of cham- pagne football but still high on enter-
tainment.
The ingredients were there before- hand. Town versus Country 1s just as compelling in the garrison game as it is in games of the Gael. The spirit of the country against the skill of the townies.
Avenue United. The masters and undisputed kings of Clare soccer over the past quarter of a century. Seven times cup champions, a hat- ful of leagues too, not forgetting the romance of their affairs with the FAI Junior Cup.
It was way back in 1990 when the Avenue Kop set up home on the ter- races of Dalymount Park when the Avenue took on a crack Cherry Or- chard side in the blue riband of the amateur game in Ireland — Europe for that matter as the FAI is the big-
gest knockout competition on the continent.
Alas, it wasn’t to be for the Avenue back then, but their pride of place in the Clare game was secured on that romantic run through Ireland. The players’ place was also secured — John the Man, Johnny Purtill, Ray Casey, Mannix and many more.
John O’Malley and Noelie Purtill are still around the team — the joint- managers patrolled the sideline on Saturday with the same enthusiasm they showed in their playing days.
Barking instructions, giving out, but always encouraging. Preaching a work ethic, but wanting that married with total football at the same time. It’s a townie thing, a skill thing that found expression in Mikie Mahony and many more on the Avenue team.
Mikie seemed born for this day — he dazzled like the summer sun and while the brave Moher defence kept him at bay for most of the game he wasn’t to be denied his moment of glory.
PAV AKO MYL TKCK\, ONG (omc MED EN LUbosloloems Oye joy while the Moher Magpies lay strewn on the pitch. So near and yet so far —1n many ways they were the team of the year in Clare soccer, but bridesmaids at the same time.
Premier League runners-up and now cup runners-up.
Aidan Moloney summed up their torment. The Puddin had given eve- rything, slotted the penalty that had the Magpies dreaming of glory and kept going for 110 minutes.
All for nothing, except for hope that their day will finally come.
It must, but this was Avenue’s. The bluebloods of Clare soccer.