Cult heroes

[writerbk1969]

Hi;

I'm looking for some help please, Having wrote Just Follow The Floodlights in 2011 I thought it time to bring out a new book for 2016.
There has never been a book wrote on the many cult heroes that have played for a multitude of LOI sides, past, present or defunct. I think this might be a good basis for a new publication. What I am trying to do is get one or more cult hero that have played for clubs down the years. I'm aware it would be very hard to pick just one from each club (ie; you could have Tommy mcConville, Martin Lawlor or Dermot Keely from Dundalk alone) but I will try give as much coverage to those involved.
Like Just Follow The Floodlights, there will be contributions from ex-players and managers alike.
I'm hoping to get as much input from fans as possible (i might even need a few numbers!) on who they think should be featured in the book (I will also be printing some of the best quotes from fans in the book as well)
Whether or not the publisher is interested I'm hoping to bring the book out next year and launch it wherever anyone will have me.
I need a witty title for the book instead of just Cult Heroes . I came across a book on tough English hardmen called "Do That Again Son And I'll Break Your Legs" - something like that or describes a cult hero. I want to involve as many people so that it stays an authentic LOI book .

Kindest Regards
Brian

[D24Saint]

If I had to pick just one Cult hero from the Saints id go for Paul Osam , not the most talented footballer ever but was fantastic for us in midfield for years.We very nearly lost him a few year ago I'd love to see him honoured.

[Calcio Jack]

Great idea- I think Derek Treacey would be the ideal Rovers player to feature.

As an aside can confirm as absolute gospel when Tony Ward playing for Rovers went by a renowned Cork Celtic player , the CC player told him".. Do that again and I'll break both of your legs.." Glad to say Wardy continued to do so and your man never got near him... Player in question was a red head

[Sam_Heggy]

We've loads of cult heros.

Tom Mohan would probably be well up there in peoples lists of Harps cult heros.

[Nesta99]

Hi;

I'm aware it would be very hard to pick just one from each club (ie; you could have Tommy mcConville, Martin Lawlor or Dermot Keely from Dundalk alone)
Brian

Tommy Mc for his spell at Waterford, Dermot Keeley his Rovers days, Tom McNulty at Harps, Gino Lawless for Bohs, Martin Lawlor, at Dundalk and so on like that -problem solved and it would sell well round here! Alan O'Neill, James Coll, Mick Doohan the list could be endless........

[Yossarian]

The three listed for Dundalk would definitely be up there but perhaps Tom McNulty would be the better definition of a cult hero. He twice scored league winning goals and gave his all on the pitch, but was a mad man at times aswell!

[Kingswood Rover]

Dermot Keeley for Rovers absolute loony tunes, i remember him in the away leg up in Windsor in the European cup, after about 5 minutes he lifted one of the bluenoses out of it, ball man the whole shooting match then stood over the forlorn player snarling at him, got booked but it did the trick Rovers stood up to a man and gave as good as they got. i then actually played a game on the same side as him years later, a div 2 sat game or something and i am nearly sure he broke one of the opposing players legs in a tackle, mad fcuker on a pitch. Priceless on football republic, refuse to call that other name, lashing the Irish EP fans out of it.

[SkStu]

Hi;

I'm looking for some help please, Having wrote Just Follow The Floodlights in 2011 I thought it time to bring out a new book for 2016.
There has never been a book wrote on the many cult heroes that have played for a multitude of LOI sides, past, present or defunct. I think this might be a good basis for a new publication. What I am trying to do is get one or more cult hero that have played for clubs down the years. I'm aware it would be very hard to pick just one from each club (ie; you could have Tommy mcConville, Martin Lawlor or Dermot Keely from Dundalk alone) but I will try give as much coverage to those involved.
Like Just Follow The Floodlights, there will be contributions from ex-players and managers alike.
I'm hoping to get as much input from fans as possible (i might even need a few numbers!) on who they think should be featured in the book (I will also be printing some of the best quotes from fans in the book as well)
Whether or not the publisher is interested I'm hoping to bring the book out next year and launch it wherever anyone will have me.
I need a witty title for the book instead of just Cult Heroes . I came across a book on tough English hardmen called "Do That Again Son And I'll Break Your Legs" - something like that or describes a cult hero. I want to involve as many people so that it stays an authentic LOI book .

Kindest Regards
Brian

Hey Brian,

your best bet might be to go onto each teams message board and ask for ideas on which players could/should feature, who would be willing to assist, and how to contact players etc.

From a Bohs perspective so many to choose from - Broughan, Markey, the New Zealanders that Joe McGrath brought back with him...Ernie Crawford going way, way back...but my personal favourite - and always will be - is Alex Nesovic. Legend.

[writerbk1969]

Yes I might have to do that SK, I think it I get to mention 2/3 from a team or contributions from fellow players that would be fine. I'm also going to include quotes from people here that are funny - but above all true!

[outspoken]

Sean Prunty for town without a doubt, I'd be happy to help ya out getting in contact with him etc. Throw us a message whenever ya get a chance.

[Longfordian]

I think Prunty is more of a regular hero than a "cult hero" if you know what I mean. My understanding of cult heroes is that it wouldn't be immediately obvious especially to outsiders why they are a hero. But it's not my book!

[Dunny]

Jimmy Hasty.

[dundalkfc10]

A large section of our vocal support (Shedsideboys) seem to have a serious love affair with Gary Shanahan. He gets a few songs every time we play against him.
Even seen a Gary Shanahan banner at the Cup Final

[IrishRossi]

Eric Lavine i think would be a good shout

[eitoof]

Tony Fagan will surely be a name mentioned by Sligo Rovers fans.
I used to watch a good bit of the Shamrock Rovers team from around 86 to 90 when I was in college. I always liked John Coady (and he was my postman!)

[sparkey]

I think Prunty is more of a regular hero than a "cult hero" if you know what I mean. My understanding of cult heroes is that it wouldn't be immediately obvious especially to outsiders why they are a hero. But it's not my book!
Would have thought of Pat "Zac" Hackett and Vinnie Perth. But both of them could also be considered "regular hero’s", so how about Heysham Elkershi, it would be interesting to find out how an Egyptian ended up living in Longford and playing loi in the eighties when everyomne else was leaving the place. Also the "Man with the Tan" Stuart Holt would only be an obvious cult hero to the Longford faithful.

[Longfordian]

Heysham would be a good one. I think he's on Twitter actually.

[MattB11]

Paddy Rivaldo

[avvenalaf]

A title? 'He's a cnut but he's our cnut'.

[nigel-harps1954]

Paddy 'Rivaldo' McGranaghan as mentioned or Eloka Asokuh were two cult heroes that stand out for Harps in the past 15/20 years. Asokuh especially for the way he endeared himself to the Harps fans and has really become something of a club legend, now involved with the underage setup.

[Martinho II]

Heysham would be a good one. I think he's on Twitter actually.

yep 100% hes on twitter!

I am surprised noone has mentioned Stephen O Brien, Alan Kirby they were cult heroes in my eyes.. Digger was such a character even in opposition fans eyes! Kirbs cos he was superb for us.Agree with Lavine he was Longfords baby making machine and I am sure he is a father to a lot of kids in Longford such his popularity with women! Also Vinny Perth was another cult hero!

[writerbk1969]

Thanks for the feedback so far guys. Really appreciate it. It would be impossible naming one from each team so I will try include as many as possible. One thing that is VITAL to me will be contacts, phone numbers, facebook, twitter accounts to track all these guys down.

[kksaints]

For Pats possibly Charles Mbabazi Livingstone or Ryan Guy. Although they might be more suited to a book on foreign players in the LOI.

[outspoken]

I think Prunty is more of a regular hero than a "cult hero" if you know what I mean. My understanding of cult heroes is that it wouldn't be immediately obvious especially to outsiders why they are a hero. But it's not my book!

Yeah fair point actually.

[Macy]

yep 100% hes on twitter!

I am surprised noone has mentioned Stephen O Brien, Alan Kirby they were cult heroes in my eyes.. Digger was such a character even in opposition fans eyes! Kirbs cos he was superb for us.Agree with Lavine he was Longfords baby making machine and I am sure he is a father to a lot of kids in Longford such his popularity with women! Also Vinny Perth was another cult hero!
I'd only just about go with Vinny out of that list - the rest are just regular heroes rather than cult heroes, by my definition anyway. Vinny wasn't the most gifted player we had, but had the character, heart and crunching tackles.

My shout would be for Gucci (Paul Perth). I know there's been newspaper articles on him, but it's the type of story, to go with the type of player, that puts him in the cult hero bracket for me.

So Gucci and Vinny combo for me!

[outspoken]

I'd only just about go with Vinny out of that list - the rest are just regular heroes rather than cult heroes, by my definition anyway. Vinny wasn't the most gifted player we had, but had the character, heart and crunching tackles.

My shout would be for Gucci (Paul Perth). I know there's been newspaper articles on him, but it's the type of story, to go with the type of player, that puts him in the cult hero bracket for me.

So Gucci and Vinny combo for me!

there's a good interview with Stephen Kenny on the club website from years ago where he talks about the two lads signing for town and how they knew it was the right move for them when they passed the Vincent and Paul factory. Little stories like that would be great to read about in this new book.

[Captain2007]

Hi Brian, well done on your last book, it was nice to feature in it,three real cult hero's for Bray in the mid-eighties were Josh Moran, Colm Phillips and Dermot Judge.
Best of luck with the project!

[sullanefc]

Cork City: Patsy Freyne, Dave Barry.

[Pablo Escobar]

Cork City: Patsy Freyne, Dave Barry.
I'd add Deccy Daly and George O'Callaghan to that list.

[seand]

UCD: Socrates
Shelbourne: Alvarito
Galway: Yob Son
Cork City: Cork Tom
Drogheda: Gerd Haxhiu
Pats: Rene Gilmartin
Dundalk: Baba Issaka
Shamrock Rovers: Neal Fenn
all clubs: Roddy Collins.... oh, sorry, you said cuLt.

[PartySaint]

UCD: Socrates
Shelbourne: Alvarito
Galway: Yob Son
Cork City: Cork Tom
Drogheda: Gerd Haxhiu
Pats: Rene Gilmartin
Dundalk: Baba Issaka
Shamrock Rovers: Neal Fenn
all clubs: Roddy Collins.... oh, sorry, you said cuLt.


Currently sitting 7th in the Premier League. Richie Towell can only dream of hitting those heights ;)

[pineapple stu]

UCD: Socrates
Shelbourne: Alvarito
Galway: Yob Son
Cork City: Cork Tom
Drogheda: Gerd Haxhiu
Pats: Rene Gilmartin
Dundalk: Baba Issaka
Shamrock Rovers: Neal Fenn
all clubs: Roddy Collins.... oh, sorry, you said cuLt.

Xano for Sligo too.

Proper UCD ones would be Tony McDonnell or Mick O'Donnell. Probably too early to induct Ryan Swan for his European heroics yet.


Currently sitting 7th in the Premier League. Richie Towell can only dream of hitting those heights ;)
From his wiki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rene_Gilmartin) -

Alongside his playing career with Watford he commentates on the club's away games for BBC Three Counties Radio
Don't think I've ever heard of that happening before. Mad cushty number for him!

[vinnie]

Shamrock Rovers fans think Alan Keane is a Cult hero, but I think I misspelled Cult :D

[writerbk1969]

At the moment I'm going with the title "You Calling Me a Cult?"

[outspoken]

At the moment I'm going with the title "You Calling Me a Cult?"

What about '' a shower of cults''

[Nesta99]

A complete bunch of cults!


maybe not:quiet:

[writerbk1969]

What about '' a shower of cults''

Excellent. Hopefully it doesn't offend!

[ger121]

Jimmy Aggrey for Bohs. Scored on his debut against Rovers and despite not playing or us for long, he had a real cult status among Bohs fans.

[ger121]

Cult your Club

[KeepersBall]

Haxihau is not a bad shout for the Drogs, but Dick Jacenuik would be a better one. Played in the 1971 Cup run, got booked in every competitive match he played, and later turned up on Football Focus managing South Shields in the third round of the FA Cup.
We had two Brazilians, Pedro da Lima and Wilson da Silva Chagas turn out around '72/'73, they allegedly worked on a boat that arrived in Drogheda harbour, whereby on discovering they were Brazilian some bucker enquired as to whether they kicked ball and they stayed around for a while.
They were buckin good and all

[superfrank]

Reckon Colm Tresson, Wes Charles or Tarzan O'Brien would be good shouts.

EDIT: Skippy O'Connor too.

[HarpsinDublin]

for Finn Harps Sammy Johnston. Scored the goals that enabled Harps to defeat Derry City for the first time in the LOI.

[SeanDMRooney]

Philly Hughes ?

[marinobohs]

Would have to be Geno Lawless for Bohs, works as a taxi driver in Dublin. Paul Whelan and Dermot O'Neill also memorable characters of recent vintage

[writerbk1969]

Some cracking names there. I can only feature 3/4 but can give a nod to others if at all possible. I had a lot of fun with Just Follow The Floodlights being launched in Oriel Park, Dalymount, Gortakeegan, Waterford , Galway , Cork & Sligo so hopefully I'll get to do so again.

[GerByrne]

I'd have Donal Broughan, Mick Moody and Warren Parkes in as my cult heroes for Bohs.

[daithi]

Would have thought of Pat "Zac" Hackett and Vinnie Perth. But both of them could also be considered "regular hero’s", so how about Heysham Elkershi, it would be interesting to find out how an Egyptian ended up living in Longford and playing loi in the eighties when everyomne else was leaving the place. Also the "Man with the Tan" Stuart Holt would only be an obvious cult hero to the Longford faithful.

Could not agree more.......