The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue
The Inside Track with Tony O'Donoghue
Friday, 29 August 2008 18:16
I've never played for Cork City Football Club although I've dreamt about it more than once. I've played and scored at Turner's Cross since childhood and sometimes there were even people in the ground!
To tell you the truth, I cannot tell you how deeply upset I am at the current situation at my home town club, my club, Cork City. Docked ten points and struggling for survival the club as we know it may not survive to the end of the season. And that is something that all football fans should be concerned about.
Not so long ago Cork City retired the number 12 shirt and gave it to the fans of the Rebel Army. And I wore it once.
The Cork City award winning programme 'City Edition' have a fanzone feature and I was asked to contribute my tuppence worth. I will take the liberty of reproducing it below to give a sense of what the club means to me and the likes of me.
In the meantime, I will continue to fervently hope and pray that the club, founded in 1984, will make it to 25 years in existence and beyond.
Q: How did you become a Cork City fan and what is your earliest memory?
It's my birthright. The first trophy I can remember is the League Cup victory v Shamrock Rovers. Eamonn O'Keefe was the manager at the time.
Q: What are your fondest memories as a City supporter?
The sense of place, especially when abroad, I remember fondly the game against Torpedo Moscow in 1989 even though we were worried that we might get tonked. We did. Innocent days though, and great fun.
Later, Cwmbran Town was a thrilling tie and the trip to Galatasaray in Turkey was unreal. Working for RTÉ Radio, I was lucky enough to be with the squad on the bus to the ground and in the Ali Sami Yen Stadium two hours before kick-off. (It wouldn't happen with Man U!).
The place was full of the most fanatical supporters, bonfire blazing, firecrackers going off and an incredible call and response from one half of the stadium to the other.
The team were doing their pre-match stuff and the noise was deafening. I still have it on tape and the atmosphere is tangible yet no less incredible.
I approached Dave Barry and asked him did this compare with anything he had ever experienced? He said, with a smile, it was just like Croke Park, but at least in Croker half the crowd were shouting for you!
The police there were very hands on and City players (Fergie O'Donoghue in particular) got the same treatment as Eric Cantona later in the same season - they got truncheoned on the way down the steps to the dressing room tunnel!
Having said all that, I think City v Bayern Munich, Musgrave Park when 'Dowtcha' scored was priceless.
As commentator I was building myself up to a crescendo for THAT goal... 'Barry to Morley - a quick one-two and Barry has it again facing the defender Labbadia - he goes past Labbadia - he's outside the area, just inside now - he shoots...It's THERE!
Dave Barry has scored....'
And just as I'm about to go nuclear, Donie Leahy, the legendary League of Ireland goalscorer and my co-commentator for the game, jumps out of his chair on the roof of the stand at Musgrave Park, almost choking himself on the headphones in the process and screams louder than bombs... 'Oh Jesus!'
We could never use that piece of commentary again.
Q: Who is your favourite CCFC player of all time?
Patsy Freyne. For his sublime moments of spirituality. For his speed of thought, his range of skills, his ability to look after himself and the team in a league of assasins who generally despised good footballers.
For his humour and for all the cigarettes I bummed off him over the years. One of the greats.
Q: What are your hopes for the club for the near future?
To stay rooted in the community. I'm worried that after Brian Lennox we won't know where to go to ask the questions we will surely have about the future of our club.
This club belongs to the supporters and has been a huge part of the lives of Cork people at home, in Dublin, in New York and all over the show. That community is worldwide and hopefully the club will continue to mean something significant in the lives of the fans everywhere.
Q: Which eircom League player would you most like to sign for Cork City?
Ollie Cahill would be an obvious choice..I'm sure he can't wait to come back. I also like John Paul Kelly of Bohemians and Shane Robinson of Drogs, but to be true to myself and PATSY I would love to have Paddy McCourt.
He's like George O'Callaghan, Mick Conroy and George Best all rolled into one. With a decent shave and a good Cork girl he could be King! (This was before McCourt moved to Celtic).
Q. What is your favourite eircom League away ground?
Bray's Carlisle Grounds. The reason certain ex-City players call me 'Buckets' is because I once reported, after a dreadful game, that the next time I was sent to Bray I was bringing my own bucket and shovel for entertainment! Now it's my nearest LoI emporium.
Q: What changes would you like to see to improve the club and the league overall?
Less fixture congestion, especially around European fixtures. It seems that Cork, among others, are punished for their success in qualifying for Europe. Then there are ridiculous mid-season breaks....give us a break!
Q: What impact has Cork City FC had on your life and how different would your life be without the club?
This club and Cork City define me. I don't think I would have a career in sports broadcasting if it weren't for City and their exploits in the 90s. More importantly they are part of my life story. The roots go deep and the tree rises, sprouting stronger branches each year.
My daughter Aoife was a mascot when she was tiny and Declan Daly had to shield her ears as she inadvertently held onto the big man during one of his infamous huddle team talks.
She sings 'We love you City we do' in a slightly D4 accent now at Inchicore or Dalymount or Bray.
Please God, her kids will too!
Tony O'Donoghue is Group Football Correspondent for RTÉ.
