6th November 2015 - As I walked through Dundalk on Thursday last I was bitterly disappointed that there was no evidence at the square that Dundalk FC were league champions for the second year in a row or that the team would be competing in the cup final on Sunday next in the Aviva Stadium. Compare that to Cork City where I had seen photos twenty four hours earlier of a sea of green as the river Lee had changed colour to support their team in Sunday’s cup final. The city hall was lit up in green and many buildings also showed their support by going green.
I cannot understand why our local Council has not come out to support our team. Last year there was a huge campaign to paint the town pink for the G’iro D’italia as it passed – in literally a few minutes - through the town .It was a lovely spectacle and I welcomed the campaign –But these are our lads- This is our team and the least that could have been done was a public demonstration of support and acknowledgement of their success by our local Council for these wonderful ambassadors.
Instead when I wrote and phoned the Council I got a response stating, among other things, that they hadn’t a budget to do anything as their reason not to provide any support. This I find even harder to believe. A few flags – a trailer – what would that cost?
One thing that is certain about our townspeople is that they are generous to a fault. I’m sure someone would have sponsored or donated the loan of a trailer – musicians would have donated their time to create the atmosphere. Volunteers would have helped with logistics and security. It could have been done. Perhaps if a little of the millions that were spent on refurbishing the town square had been retained to use in public celebratory events such as this –we might have got more value for money.
In my last correspondence with the Council I was informed they were working with the club on the matter. In my opinion this is not something the club should have to organise. This is something that should have been organised FOR the team.
On Sunday 73 buses and two trains will depart from Dundalk and surrounding areas to support the town. It is estimated that 10,000 Dundalk supporters will be in the Aviva on Sunday afternoon.
Stephen Kenny and all his team are wonderful ambassadors for our town on and off the pitch not just in sport but also in the promotion of community and health issues and events.
Win lose or draw we will return home on Sunday evening proud of our town and proud of our team. I think it is disappointing to say the least that nothing has been organised by the Council for their homecoming. There is also a serious health and safety issue here. However I have no doubt that the loyal supporters young and old will be out on Sunday night to welcome the lads home – C’mon the town .
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