Follow me down to Carlow
Follow me down to Carlow
We’ve all sung the âÅFollow me down to Carlowâ song in our schooldays, but it has a special resonance for Leitrim this weekend, when we are hoping that our ever loyal supporters will make the journey to Dr. Cullen Park to give our players a morale booster.
If the Leitrim players take the field on Sunday to just a scattered few cheers from the stand or the terraces, they would be forgiven for thinking that the fans are sort of deserting them. If they are met with a rousing chorus, then heads would lift and the team will be determined to go that extra inch. An away venue can be a lonely place if the familiar faces are missing.
Limerick snatched the two points last Sunday in a game we were so anxious to win ââ they say you need to be winning your home fixtures. After a promising start and an opening score from Adrian Croal, together with good movement off the ball and some sterling work in defence, things were looking good. Three first half points was a poor enough return for both teams, but we were still very much in the game. Chances were missed of course and plenty of shots dropped short.
In the second half the Limerick players seemed to gain in confidence and we were caught in the overlap. But when a rasper rebounded off Cathal McCrann’s crossbar, we thought maybe luck was on our side for a change. It wasn’t. The stand went unusually silent when Limerick did snatch a goal, but fair play to the Leitrim players, they battled to the end.
There were no excuses from anybody, there was no need. We all know the challenge thrown up with so many of last year’s team on the far side of the world and Team Managers Brian Breen and George Dugdale have to work inside the constraints of a decimated panel — no easy task for any county, irrespective of size.
So we need to get behind the green and gold once again, to show the players that we respect their efforts and admire their pride in the county jersey. They are our ambassadors on the field of play, the least we owe them is our support ââ so do make that trip down to Carlow!
While hearts were heavy on Sunday, there were two very happy young Leitrim supporters ââ AoibhÃÂn Flanagan of Aughawillan NS and Finn Pudney of Ballaghmeehan NS who won the prizes for Primary School pupils of a Leitrim jersey for themselves and a Coaching Session for their school by one of the Leitrim Senior team.
Supporters will have an ideal opportunity to meet all the county players at the big Table Quiz in the Bush Hotel on Saturday February 25th. Get your Quiz team ready to take on Paddy Maguire and the county panel. We are all in this together.
Collette Fox
PRO
09-Feb-12 by PRO
