ARD-NA-LAOI 2007

BILLY LYONS


ARD-NA-LAOI FOCUS



Ard-na-Laoi, founded in 1978, made a spectacular impact in the AUL in the 1979/80 season when the Leemount rookies won both the third division championship and the Saxone Cup.



Today's crop are falling a little short and already there is a feeling of déjà vu about the pattern of this season. It is too close for comfort to that of last term when they took some time to find form and a late run proved unsuccessful in terms of promotion.



In the end, they came quite close with Kenneth Quinn, in his second year as manager, leading the team to a fourth place finish. Quinn and company though will do well to repeat that placing this time.



But they did lose two key players for this campaign: accomplished defender Graham Brodbin moved away from the city and David Collins who sustained a very serious leg break at the end of last season.



Still, it is not all doom and gloom. They are still in the President’s Cup, the knockout competition for third division teams and anyone knowing Ard-na-Laoi's history in knockouts will be wary opponents.



Indeed, long serving secretary Timmy Lynch says that their best performance of this season to date came in the President’s when they came from behind and scored two late goals to knockout hosts and league rivals Cork Road Celtic.



Lynch is hopeful: “Admittedly, the league form isn’t great. We are in mid-table and a top three finish is a big ask, we need to keep winning, but we’ll give it a go and we will be going all out also to get a decent run in the President’s and County Cups.”



“In the longer term, we want to get back to the first division where we were a few years back. We want to do that as soon as possible and we can build on the fairly decent squad we now have.”



This year’s committee is: Mark O’Keeffe (chairman), Andy O’Callaghan (vice chairman), Timmy Lynch (secretary), Paul Lynch (treasurer), Aidan Gore (assistant treasurer), Barry Lawlor, Dave Kenneally and Ger McSweeney.



The 1978 organisers were led by John Roche and included Paddy O'Leary, James O'Leary, Donnacha Breathnach and Gerald Kavanagh. Some of the lads spoke Irish and hence the Ard-na-Laoi rather than Leemount.



Current manager Ken Quinn scored in the 1993 President’s Cup win over Ballyvolane and current player Paul Lynch knocked in the 5th shootout penalty to win that final.



The following year, they secured the Saxone Cup for the second time and both goals were netted by Joe Keane. The last league success came in 2000 when they defeated Glencairn Celtic 5-3 on spotters after the play-off finished level. Current members Gary Lucey, Mark O’Keeffe and the Lynch brothers, Paul and Tim, were all involved in that 2000 success.



Quinn’s current team is captained by midfielder Barry Lawlor, who is on a month’s trip to Australia at present. The leading scorer is David Buckley. Dave Kenneally, last year’s Player of the Year, is still going strong but the loss of Brodbin, who shared the award with him, is keenly felt.



Ard-na-Laoi have played at Leemount Cross since the start. The pitch is always in good condition and it is rare to have a game called off there. The club extends a very big thank you to local farmer, Richard Wood, “one of bets supporters”, for the use of the field.



Speaking of supporters, Ard-na-Laoi also rely on the Angler’s Rest. They have one great night there every year. Lynch: “We have a big social here, always on the October Bank Holiday weekend. It is our main fund-raising event, we hold our annual raffle there, and has turned out to be a very enjoyable one indeed. It’s well supported and everybody looks forward to it.”



The panel: Kevin Buckley, Dave Donovan, John Casey, Paul Lynch, Zlatic Kristic, Darek Czernicki, Barry Lawlor (captain), Dave Kenneally, Niall Langan, Dave Buckley, Kieran Casey, Mickey Masterson, Tim Lynch, Anthony Ryan, Mark O’Keeffe, Ryan O’Donnell and Ian Bransfield.



Ard-na-Laoi’s record:

1979/80 winners AUL 3 and Saxone Cup.

1980/81 runners up County Cup.

1988/89 runners up AUL 3B.

1992/93 winners President’s Cup.

1993/94 winners Saxone Cup.

1995/96 winners County Cup.

1999/00 winners AUL 2.



end of story