Dundalk’s beautiful game

While our Smarmore Castle blog usually reports on all things tourism related we cannot ignore the major sporting event of the year so far – Dundalk FC’s promotion back to the premier division of the league of Ireland.

Going into last Saturday nights final game of the season Dundalk trailed league leaders Shelbourne by one point. With only one promotion place available Dundalk needed to beat Kildare County and hope that Shels failed to beat Limerick 37.Over 800 people made the trek to Station Road in Newbridge to witness the epic battle of the lilywhites.
It was one of those nights when supporters went through every emotion imaginable and the following few paragraphs sum up what it was like to be there on the famous night.

Expectation. There’s a sizeable Dundalk contingent there with still half an hour to go before kick off. Anticipation. The players look focussed in the warm up. They know what they have to do. Nervousness. The teams come onto the pitch and we see Tony Cousins who has guided Kildare to a couple of impressive results since taking over – has our ex-player plotted our downfall? Excitement. The match kicks off and Dundalk are immediately on the attack. Optimism. A cheer goes up when news filters through that Shels have had a goal disallowed. Frenzy. The players realise that something is happening and up their game even more. Joy. Robbie Farrell gets his first on the night. He adds a second shortly after.

Hope. Half-time. Dundalk are two nil up and Shels are only drawing. Second half. Very professional display. Dundalk add two more goals. Despair. Shels have scored. Anto Flood. It had to be him. Our ex-player has fatally wounded our promotion dream. Regret. What if?. All those points that got away. Monaghan. Longford and Limerick. Will we be playing them again next year. Two more goals for us and one for Kildare. Polite applause. No news from Tolka. Time runs out Resigned to another year in the purgatory of division one. Game over. Jeers and cheers for the manager. Clap the team off the pitch. They did their best tonight. Head for the exit. A mighty roar. Stop. Amazement. It can’t be? Find someone with a radio. Elation. Limerick have scored in injury time. Concern. It’s not over in Dublin yet. Watch lad with radio. “They are still playing” he says. He throws arms in air. Shels have only got a draw. We’ve pipped them by a point. We’re going up. Champions. Onto the pitch. Over to the stand. Find the team. They’re engulfed by the crowd. Disbelief. Wait for cup to be presented. Exhilaration. Roll on next season.