GLEN CELTIC MAY 2005

GLEN CELTIC, CHAMPIONS IN AUL 2B


Bands of Brothers



Glen Celtic, recently crowned champions of Murphy’s Stout AUL 2B, are just packed with brothers, no less then four sets on the team that won the club it’s second league title since its formation ten years ago.



The families that play together are the Longs, Billy (player-manager) and John (ex Rockville, who joined during the season. And then there are their nephews, the bothers Brendan and Patrick Long, the O’Sheas (Jimmy and Garry) and the O’Donoghues (Stephen and David).



Chairperson Ann Long says it is a young team, the majority of players being under 25. “The team now has experience and youth within its ranks as the youngest player is 17 with the oldest player at 40. This has contributed greatly to the achievements of the team this year.”



Long is full of praise for the management team which consists of Billy Long and his assistant Timmy Kelleher, also a player: “This has worked well for the club as both individuals have provided the team with stability with regard to both training session and match day preparation and their commitment and dedication has led directly to the good results.”





Captain Brendan Long led by example and has played in a number of positions this year, including having to play in goal on a number of occasions due to injuries to both goalkeepers. His ability to score from both corner kicks and free kicks was crucial during the campaign. Vice–captain Jimmy O’Shea has also inspired the team this year; Jimmy was the Player Manager when the team last won the league.



Ann Long points to the first game of the season as producing their best victory this season: “The game was a local derby between Ballyvolane, who turned out to be our main rivals, and ourselves. It was an away game and we won 1-0, giving us a very good start to the season.”



Glen kept adding up the points but didn't really believe they were on course for the championship until early in January when they travelled to face an in-form Knockraha outfit. Chairperson Long again: “We won that one 3-0 and that set the team up to dedicate themselves to winning the league this season.”



On long term ambition, Ann Long says that they want to make it to the Premier division of the League. “We would also like to have a youth team playing again in the future as a number of young players on the present team came through to the junior team from previous youth and schoolboys team within the club. We hope to reactivate these teams, but this will only be possible with commitment from volunteers fro the area becoming more involved.”



Ann, who attends every game, has been chairperson for the past six years. Her fellow officers are Secretary Brendan Long, Treasurers Ross Harris and Daniel Kiely, PRO Timmy Kelleher, fund raising Billy Long and Jimmy O’Shea.



Ossie’s Bar is the main sponsor of Glen Celtic. Ossie’s is situated in Dillon’s Cross, only a goal kick away from the Glen Park. Regina and Adrian (Ossie) and their staff have been very good to Glen Celtic, very supportive in everything from fund-raising events to post match sandwiches.



Glen People, Facts And Figures



Evelyn Long is Glen Celtic's senior supporter. Mother of Billy and John and grandmother of Brendan and Patrick. At 72, she is the club’s oldest supporter and has attended every game this year, no matter what the weather was doing.



Thomas Kelleher, with twenty, is the leading scorer for the club this season. Michael Shaw has also played consistently and got 19. Following hard on their heels are regular marksmen Daniel Kiely and the brothers Brendan and Patrick Long.



The Player of the Year Awards will take place in June with a celebration night from sponsor Ossie’s Bar in Dillon’s Cross.



The Panel: Billy Long (Player Manager) Timmy Kelleher (Assistant Player Manager), Brendan Long (Captain), Jimmy O’Shea (Vice-Captain), Kenneth Kiely, Stephen O’Donoghue, Daniel Joyce, David O’Donoghue, Ross Harris, Patrick O’Leary, Daniel Kiely, John Long, Patrick Long, Thomas Kelleher, Michael Shaw, Martin Higgins, Garry O’Shea, Larry Mulcahy, Paul Monahan and Tony Daly.



Glen Celtic’s home pitch is in the Glen Park and they train two nights a week in the adjoining Glen Resource & Sports Centre which has magnificent facilities, including Astroturf pitches for outdoor work and also the use of indoors training facilities in a multi-purpose sports hall and is developing all the time.



Manager Roy Watson and his colleagues have give Glen Celtic great support and encouragement during the season. Ann Long has a big word of thanks for them and says that without the use of this local facility the club would not be in a position to have changing facilities for match day or training sessions.



end of story