GLENVALE JAN 2000

Glenvale AFC




When Glenvale take on North End in next Sunday's Premier A match, it will be the 'Vale's first league outing since September 26th and secretary Shay Pidgeon is wary: "We will be hoping for a victory but we usually find it difficult playing them".



Glenvale have played just five league games to date and Pidgeon knows it will be hard to get into the two automatic promotion places, currently held by Bosco's and Hillington: "But we have a useful squad and are capable of causing a shock or two".



That squad has been hugely reinforced since last season by the new management pairing of Ger Rennie and John Joe O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan is the new half of the duo as Rennie has been looking after the side for the past four seasons.



Graham Shortt was Player of the Year last season while keeper Derek Barnes took the Clubman of the Year Award. Fintan Forde is the team captain and new signings include Dave Barrett, Conor Quinlan, and Terry O'Callaghan.



Their league backlog has been built up largely because of doing quite well in the cups, as Shay explains: "We had good runs in the FAI and Munster Junior Cups but are out of both now. Our last game was against Skyvalley Rovers of Roscommon in the FAI and they pipped us on penalties after a 2 - 2 draw at the Regional Park".



The Regional Park in Ballincollig is a new venue for the club and they are happy enough with it as a pitch but acknowledge that the lack of dressing rooms is a problem. No problems with training though. Rennie and O'Sullivan have the lads out twice a week: on Tuesdays s they use the all weather pitch in Mayfield (this is their 15th year there) and on Thursday they avail of the Sam Allen five-a-side complex on the northside.



Glenvale, who are based in Liam Daly's (where their number one supporter is Paddy Hussey), also get valuable support from builders Cullinane and Sons, Munster Joinery and Brannigans Bar.



Indeed John Cullinane, the chairman, has been with the club since its foundation thirty years ago. Davy Power is another with the same service and he is now vice chairman.



"Winning the AOH would be a fitting end to our season", wishes secretary Pidgeon. It would also be a good way to celebrate the 30th anniversary. Perhaps their name is on the coveted trophy this season. In round three, they were two goals down to local rivals Villa Utd and defeat was staring them in the face. But new signing Brian Walsh came to the rescue with a hat trick.



The full committee is: John Cullinane (chairman), Davy Power (vice Chairman), Liam Crowley (Treasurer), Shay Pidgeon (Secretary), Mick Atkins, Tony O'Donovan, Derek Barnes, Joe O'Flynn, Paul Lynch, and William Butt.



Glenvale have one of the biggest panels in the league and it is: Derek Barnes, Dermot Moone, Joe O'Flynn, Kevin Goulding (5 goals), Michael Walsh, Graham Shortt, Fintan Forde (8 goals), Kevin O'Donovan, Shane Power, Noel Coughlan, Darren Kennefick (8 goals), Kevin Butterworth, Brian Walsh (8 goals), Dave Barrett, Jimmy Foley, Jason Cronin, Terry O'Callaghan, William Singleton, Paul O'Donovan, Conor Quinlan, and Mark O'Connor.