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Arsenal 3 Sunderland 2
October 7 2007
(click here for pics) A wonderful decision by the organizing team (!) to leave at a reasonable hour sees all 12 on the bus by 4pm in Tipp. We’re ready …but is the transport? After the shock of discovering that no-one on board has a clue about mechanics we can only hope it gets us to the top of the hill at Cork Airport. Mercifully it does and we are on our way from the spanking new terminal but not after taking the call from the restaurant staff to tell us our chips are ready – (you had to be there!) On to everybody’s favourite part of modern-day flying – the security check-in. All almost through…but what’s this? A lethal concoction of deodorant in two passenger’s bags.. and each with the same surname!! Into the hold with them – and with an extra half-hour’s wait at Stansted the fragrant duo are lucky they’re not spending the flight there too!! By 11.30pm we’re settled in nice and quietly for a good night’s sleep…not! The pulling power (!) of Polish house and dance music means Eddie Meehan, Richard McCormack and Willie and Margaret Gilsenan along with side-kicks Declan O’Brien and Jane Williamson head downstairs to the Spring Park. At 2.45am they’ve had enough – the bones are creaking and sweat pumping – and they’ve only been playing pool! An early start, some Arsenal shopping, as you do, and an appearance on Setanta television later and we are comfortably seated in Row 5 of the Upper Stand at the Emirates with John Hickey and Michael Burke and some of the Limerick lads. We relax before our heroes turn on the style. Unfortunately the expected cakewalk doesn’t happen and all are quite happy to collect a laboured three points to keep us in our rightful position at the top of the table. Irish international Paul McShane is sent to the line for a woeful scathing tackle and the Tipp lads join in the chorus of “just like your manager”. Obviously over the next couple of games the Wicklowman will have a similar tackle at Croker termed a “well-timed challenge”!!! Most of the chaps and chapesses retire for the post-mortem to the Twelve Pins with Mark and Marie McGuire where an outdoor beverage or two are partaken of whilst there is widespread criticism of the London drivers – and that comes only from the ladies in our group!! There’s also time to “identify” all those passing in the buses as current and former Arsenal legends, most bearing no resemblance to who they’re supposed to be. Maybe the eyesight is no longer 100%. Phil Blake gathers the troops at 6pm and all head off merrily for the airport after collecting the now heavily – laden baggage. We decide to take the direct route via Tottenham Hale – I mean what kind of an eejit would have you taking the Liverpool Street/Kings Cross by-pass? In no time at all we join our three Ahmish friends at Stansted. After reception by the very kind Polish lady to book us in we trudged warily through security making sure any Sunderland fans eat humble pie on the way. Shoes off and a long wait for Gillie later we get in to conversation with an inebriated Scottish Gooner who invites us to join him for the rugby. It doesn’t work out and we chill out eating chilli crisps whilst finally convincing oor pal we’re actually Argentinian. So to the highlight – a pretty usual trip to WH Smith by Sean Wright sees him return to us in a state of exhilaration. "It's Van Persie - Van Persie - he's in the shop"...The reactions are typical. "Just go away" - or words to that effect. As Sean topples over with excitement Eugene Dunne, Francis Meehan, Con and Thomas Mulcahy all rush to their new favourite shop – never has it taken so long for a footballer to buy a Kit-Kat and Skittles with a credit card as a now overwhelming crowd descends on the tills. Van Persie in the flesh! Numbers are swelling and things are getting frantic. Phil poses with Van the Man but he dashes off mid-photo as his wife calls him for the flight. As Francis gets his shirt signed – a story we’ll no doubt hear about once or twice in the future, a lady assistant says “this must be some of these footballing guys?” Honestly, some women have no class.
A relaxing Saturday morning sees the Tipperary contingent of Brian McLoughlin, Tom Slattery, Robert Culhane, Michael Ellard, Anthony Quinn, Seanie Murphy, Colin Price, Jason Gallagher & Michael Harding at collected at 8.30am. Somebody of course has forgotten their passport - who can that be? On for Phil, Ann-Marie & Johnny in Cahir, a quick smoke and off to Clonmel for the final pick-up. Tony Butler has arrived with his camera from the local paper to take a picture of some dignitaries leaving Clonmel for the day, can’t find them and ends up having to take a snap of the Arsenal lads heading for Cardiff - bang on time the rain comes and everyone rushes for Devitt’s bus. Everyone is in great form and this continues as Waterford and New Ross are passed. Declan tells the first of 7,003 jokes we are subjected to (only havin’ you on b-b-bible salesman!) over the next four days. Larry and the Hills encourage everyone to take some light refreshments in Rosslare. They are quickly joined by Kieran Ryan and Willie McGarry - Jack is also forced in there against his wishes! The posse head on to the boat after hearing some more of Deccie’s side splitters to plenty of laughs from Marian & Dave and the Fehillys and Hewitts. Paul, Martin and Michael Morrissey enjoy the Lynx spin and in no time at all we are Allen’s bus to Caerphilly. To have McDonalds and Pizza Hut beside the hotel is a welcome boon for Ian & David. Sheila, the Walshs, Stapletons, Fennessys and O’Flahertys almost buy the total menu at the restaurant as the younger ones head for Cardiff’s nightlife. Meanwhile Deccie is still going…! It’s Sunday - the day of reckoning. Off to Cardiff on the Cresta coach. After a trip to Ann Summers ( a bookshop I think!) Deccie exits and tells of some watering holes he has found on a previous shopping trip. These are sited close to traffic lights where he can practice his art of the Oriental wheel washer / human windscreen-washer and hotshot rapper while finding some of his long lost cousins, twins and “Arsenal legends.” Meanwhile Liam Reidy gives Paul some tips on how to perfect the perfect throw-your-pint-across-the-street-at-the-Chelsea-mooner. Ooh-aah seems to have picked it up perfectly! And the match…. Arsenal hav-
e 58% of the possession, all of the attacking, the most supporters, the best singers but still manage to lose by 2-0 in the magnificent surroundings of the pole-free Millennium Stadium - Hleb maybe setting himself up to be a new star while Cygan confirms our thoughts that he should shine the boots of Clonmel Town’s under 11s! No breakfast on Monday and a 13-hour wait for the boat doesn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the Cardiff 41 as Georgie Pyke ends a winning weekend with a pocketful of change from the three sons as everyone gets ready to pay their deposit for the next trip. Roll on another great season to be a Tipp Gooner!
GIVEAWAY DAY 2005
Another great Tipp Arsenal Supporters Club day out at Cornys of Tipperary on May 8 2005 saw some very valuable prizes finding new homes. Congratulations to Declan Stapleton on winning the €100 club cheque, to Chris O’Flaherty went the Arsenal fleece, the Arsenal away jersey to Paddy Kennedy, the Untouchables DVD to Dave Fennessy and the framed Arsenal picture to Eddie O’Meara. Also winners on the day were Tom Slattery and Paul Roche with Arsenal mouse mats whilst Jason Gallagher went home with the Unbeatables mug. A few well-chosen words from club chairman Benny Ellard extended our sympathies to the family of our great friend Frank Malone and with all present thanked for their support so the curtain came down on yet another very successful year for Tipperary Town and District Arsenal Supporters Club.
