Page 62 of the Irish Mail on Sunday

[Aberdonian Stu]

When I think of the Sunday papers that come through my door the Irish Mail on Sunday is not one that springs to mind.

Today's edition, however, proves once and for all that Poor Student's repeated allegations that I am a sunshine supporter are unfounded. On page 62 there is a pic of Schumi, Pineapple, myself and Student Mullet in Turner's X.

Bald Student was also at the game but the Poor man of Belfield wasn't.

Sadly I am only able to make this post as a combination of illness and work prevent me from making the trip to Derry for tonight's encounter.

[Poor Student]

You do realise I was in the opposite stand in the first half at that game?

[Aberdonian Stu]

Yeah yeah whatever. Pictures don't lie. I don't see a pic of you in the Irish Mail on Sunday

Just because you joined us in the second half doesn't mean you were there...

[Poor Student]

What's the accompanying article about anyway?

[Aberdonian Stu]

Mix of match preview and assessing our health off the pitch in particular with regard to our chances of being in the Premier. It's objective and well written.

[Burnsie]

and what do they reckon are the prospects of being in the prem? does anyone really have any idea?

[Aberdonian Stu]

They came down fairly in the middle. There wasn't really any opinion as such but it quoted Mahon saying the only thing that would keep UCD out of the Premier would be crowd size.

[CollegeTillIDie]

It was a balanced article, but what do you reckon lads, will being closer to that bar in the Student centre, when we move to the bowl, mean an increase in crowds?

[Poor Student]

It won't CTID.

[Aberdonian Stu]

Yeah the bar won't make the slightest difference. Sure I reckon we'll probably still use the Montrose as our main base of operations for post match relaxation.

[The Stars]

saw the pic alright lads....ye didnt look yer merry best TBH

[pineapple stu]

The article basically looked at whether we'd be in the Premier next year or not. Decent article, though it wasn't above pandering to stereotypes (taking our average attendance from foot.ie and noting that the bulk was away fans, which isn't true). It noted that we're the only club never to have been in trouble with the PFAI in recent times. Pete Mahon was talking about getting 10% of the population of the college along to games and we'd be the biggest club in the country, but Shakespeare made the valid point that it was impossible because of the sheer turnover of people - every year, 5000 new people come in and you have to attract 5000 more to the games. It's a good opportunity, obviously, but as a basis for a solid fanbase, it's a non-starter. Shakespeare said he wanted the club to be a general South Dublin club, and that that was the way we were going. A comment was made about the Dicker/Quigley/Charlton links, which of course we know by now were made up. Decent read all in all, though nothing in it that most of us here wouldn't have been able to tell you ourselves obviously.

[Aberdonian Stu]

In fairness most of UCD's hardcore support have been saying for years that we need to switch the focus in getting support away from the college and towards the locality.

[Poor Student]

While the student body doesn't seem to be a particularly fruitful avenue that doesn't mean we should give up on it entirely. I'm currently trying to work somethings with the SU. It's in preliminary stages but the current administration seems receptive to helping the club. Should we move to the Bowl at the start of next season as planned then the same lads will still be in place.

[Colie]

Should we move to the Bowl at the start of next season as planned then the same lads will still be in place.

And the fact that we'd be beside a bar (albeit one of the collars up rugger sort) should help our cause with the students.