Cllr Dermot Looney, Tallaght Central Labour representative, has congratulated all involved at Shamrock Rovers FC on their qualification for the group stages of this year’s UEFA Europa League group stages. Looney was commenting in the wake of Rovers’ historic victory over Serbia’s Partisan Belgrade on Thursday night which sets up at least six further games in Europe for the Tallaght-based side.
“As a St Patrick’s Athletic fan representing a Rovers-mad area I have often had divided loyalties. However, tonight the Irish football fraternity is united in congratulating Rovers on a fantastic victory in Belgrade and in being the first Irish club ever to qualify for the group stages of a major European competition.”
“As well as congratulating Michael O’Neill and his team, many of whom are local players, plaudits have to go to the members of Shamrock Rovers who rescued their club from near-extinction just a short few years ago, many of whom are now involved in the day-to-day running of the club.”
“This is a victory not just for Rovers, but for Irish football as a whole. That an Irish team has achieved qualification to the group stages when both Celtic and Rangers were knocked out tonight shows the improvements which have been made in the League of Ireland in the past decade. Whether or not we will see Rovers playing any of their games in Tallaght Stadium remains to be seen but as a local representative I am on hand to assist, as I have been before to Shamrock Rovers and their fans.”
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Thursday, 25 August 2011
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Election Diary: T- 9: Brian's Gone to Iceland
Shhh!
It's three am. Glad to say I've not been drinking, but did manage to make it into town tonight to see off Brian O'Connor, one of the most active and longstanding team members, who's heading off to Iceland (the country, not the supermarket) tomorrow. Brian's been an integral part of the campaign for over a year now and his departure, though heralded a long time ago, is still a loss. Of all the team members I'd say Brian has dropped more leaflets than anyone, not to mention his canvass record and postering abilities. I'm sure he'll have some interesting observations from Icelandic politics when he returns, and I've promised to keep him in the loop on count day, along with other supporters in Australia, Luxembourg, Britain, the US and Thailand.
Our canvass in Tallaght tonight went perfectly to plan - last knock was five minutes before the start of the CL final. Much of the rest of the day after work was spent doing up some last-minute literature and planning the campaign; our Campaign Manager Paul Dillon remains calm throughout the slip-ups and computer freezes, and has guided us over the last few months with the patience of a saint.
8 days left. Most of the candidates have upped their game in the past week. All going well for us, it should be a great final week, but then again events are always getting in the way of good plans!
PS - Forca Barca! Great game, Messi again proving his genius. My favourite player in the world. OK, work in 5 1/2 hours - oíche mhaith!
It's three am. Glad to say I've not been drinking, but did manage to make it into town tonight to see off Brian O'Connor, one of the most active and longstanding team members, who's heading off to Iceland (the country, not the supermarket) tomorrow. Brian's been an integral part of the campaign for over a year now and his departure, though heralded a long time ago, is still a loss. Of all the team members I'd say Brian has dropped more leaflets than anyone, not to mention his canvass record and postering abilities. I'm sure he'll have some interesting observations from Icelandic politics when he returns, and I've promised to keep him in the loop on count day, along with other supporters in Australia, Luxembourg, Britain, the US and Thailand.
Our canvass in Tallaght tonight went perfectly to plan - last knock was five minutes before the start of the CL final. Much of the rest of the day after work was spent doing up some last-minute literature and planning the campaign; our Campaign Manager Paul Dillon remains calm throughout the slip-ups and computer freezes, and has guided us over the last few months with the patience of a saint.
8 days left. Most of the candidates have upped their game in the past week. All going well for us, it should be a great final week, but then again events are always getting in the way of good plans!
PS - Forca Barca! Great game, Messi again proving his genius. My favourite player in the world. OK, work in 5 1/2 hours - oíche mhaith!
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Election Diary: T- 10: Socialism and Marching In Amongst the Saints
I often check the Dublin South-West local elections thread on politics.ie to see if it offers up any titbits from other candidates. It is, of course, erroneously titled in the case of Tallaght Central which covers parts of the Dublin South-Central Dáil constituency as well as DSW.
It's worth noting that the vast majority of posters on the site are members of political organisations and inherently biased in what and how they choose to post. But the discussion today centring around 'socialism' is interesting indeed. One poster pointed out that 4 candidates in the election - Mick Murphy (Socialist Party), Seán Crowe (Sinn Féin), Pat Dunne (PBPA) and myself use the term 'socialist' to describe their politics (perhaps there are more). Predictably, this was followed by the same old critique you come to expect from elsewhere on the left.
Let me make one thing clear - and I don't speak for anyone else bar myself - I am a socialist.
Socialism is the political tradition to which I belong, and the way forward for our community, country and world. It is a desciption I use on the doors when quizzed regardless of whether I think it will gain or lose me a vote. I put it in my literature, I use it in the media, and I do not shirk when attacked from left, right or elsewhere on this. Just as there are Christians in the Church, as Tony Benn often said, there are socialists in the Labour Party. The term and the traditions are not my possessions, or those of the Labour Party - nor are they the preserve of smaller parties or other groupings.
I'd love to post more on this but now is, perhaps, not the best time. It did come up again tonight on the canvass in Tallaght where I really feel the mood has shifted leftward amongst working people. The rhetoric and analysis being put forward by voters on everything from the banks and developers to the way to win on local issues certainly sits well with the agenda our campaign is pushing. I tweeted that Tallaght was turning redder - it certainly seems to be the case. Nothing I've seen changes my mind that three Labour seats are eminently possible in this ward.
Both myself and Labour are polling well on the St Pat's Fans Forum (where I go by the name 'Greenhills Saint'). I occasionally meet Saints fans on the canvass and a lot of them have joined up through our Facebook Group. I know we have blog readers coming over from the Saints site, and I know that many of them share my regard for Bill Shankly's old statement that "the socialism I believe in is everybody working for the same goal and everybody having a share in the rewards...that's how I see football, that's how I see life." Hopefully, we'll be keeping the football and politics separate tomorrow night by canvassing early to avoid the Champions League final.
Outside of work, it's been full-on campaigning for the last 5-6 weeks for me. At this stage, only occasional episodes of the US Office are keeping me sane. I really enjoy the electioneering and am honoured to be in the position I am, as made possible by so many around me - but I'm certainly looking forward to a long sleep and a lazy Sunday when it's all over!
It's worth noting that the vast majority of posters on the site are members of political organisations and inherently biased in what and how they choose to post. But the discussion today centring around 'socialism' is interesting indeed. One poster pointed out that 4 candidates in the election - Mick Murphy (Socialist Party), Seán Crowe (Sinn Féin), Pat Dunne (PBPA) and myself use the term 'socialist' to describe their politics (perhaps there are more). Predictably, this was followed by the same old critique you come to expect from elsewhere on the left.
Let me make one thing clear - and I don't speak for anyone else bar myself - I am a socialist.
Socialism is the political tradition to which I belong, and the way forward for our community, country and world. It is a desciption I use on the doors when quizzed regardless of whether I think it will gain or lose me a vote. I put it in my literature, I use it in the media, and I do not shirk when attacked from left, right or elsewhere on this. Just as there are Christians in the Church, as Tony Benn often said, there are socialists in the Labour Party. The term and the traditions are not my possessions, or those of the Labour Party - nor are they the preserve of smaller parties or other groupings.
I'd love to post more on this but now is, perhaps, not the best time. It did come up again tonight on the canvass in Tallaght where I really feel the mood has shifted leftward amongst working people. The rhetoric and analysis being put forward by voters on everything from the banks and developers to the way to win on local issues certainly sits well with the agenda our campaign is pushing. I tweeted that Tallaght was turning redder - it certainly seems to be the case. Nothing I've seen changes my mind that three Labour seats are eminently possible in this ward.
Both myself and Labour are polling well on the St Pat's Fans Forum (where I go by the name 'Greenhills Saint'). I occasionally meet Saints fans on the canvass and a lot of them have joined up through our Facebook Group. I know we have blog readers coming over from the Saints site, and I know that many of them share my regard for Bill Shankly's old statement that "the socialism I believe in is everybody working for the same goal and everybody having a share in the rewards...that's how I see football, that's how I see life." Hopefully, we'll be keeping the football and politics separate tomorrow night by canvassing early to avoid the Champions League final.
Outside of work, it's been full-on campaigning for the last 5-6 weeks for me. At this stage, only occasional episodes of the US Office are keeping me sane. I really enjoy the electioneering and am honoured to be in the position I am, as made possible by so many around me - but I'm certainly looking forward to a long sleep and a lazy Sunday when it's all over!
Saturday, 23 May 2009
Election Diary: T- 14:
Apologies for missing a day. The excellent irishelection.com said my blogging was prolific, which sounds like Gray Lineker for some reason. Sadly, I missed out last night so feel the need to post tonight despite tiredness.
Thanks to the many of you - and I'm surprised how many - who've sent me mails and messages about the blog. Brevity is not my strong point, but necessitates tonight. Just home after a chat with canvassers and supporters over pints in the Cherry Tree. Drinking and politics should never mix but a couple on a Friday night after a canvass is not the worst idea.
I've met some amazing people on the canvass over the past few weeks and months - none moreso than the young Kenyan man I met yesterday. His articulation of Irish politics - drawing parallels with the corruption in Kenyan politics - and his knowledge of a political culture he moved into just 2 years ago was breathtaking.
His support for our politics and ideas were a huge boost.
Almost as much, in fact, was Pat's huge win tonight against Dundalk in Oriel Park. Ex-Pat's player Dave Rogers was aent off because he mooned the Pat's fans. Some people never learn - in politics and in football.
Pat's recovery aside, I was hugely encouraged by the reception tonight in Dublin 6w. Some very interesting discussions on the doorsteps ranged from Enda Kenny to Labour's position on the public sector and the Ryan Report on Industrial Schools. The area we canvassed tonight would be considered middle class but the anger was fierce from many. The important point, I stressed to many, is to turn that anger into action, not only at the polls on June 5th, but in politics in general.The universality of the anti-FF response is truly encouraging; from working class to middle class, young to old, public to private, across the board. Our challenge is to build that alternative, and the response has been very positive indeed.
Thanks to the many of you - and I'm surprised how many - who've sent me mails and messages about the blog. Brevity is not my strong point, but necessitates tonight. Just home after a chat with canvassers and supporters over pints in the Cherry Tree. Drinking and politics should never mix but a couple on a Friday night after a canvass is not the worst idea.
I've met some amazing people on the canvass over the past few weeks and months - none moreso than the young Kenyan man I met yesterday. His articulation of Irish politics - drawing parallels with the corruption in Kenyan politics - and his knowledge of a political culture he moved into just 2 years ago was breathtaking.
His support for our politics and ideas were a huge boost.
Almost as much, in fact, was Pat's huge win tonight against Dundalk in Oriel Park. Ex-Pat's player Dave Rogers was aent off because he mooned the Pat's fans. Some people never learn - in politics and in football.
Pat's recovery aside, I was hugely encouraged by the reception tonight in Dublin 6w. Some very interesting discussions on the doorsteps ranged from Enda Kenny to Labour's position on the public sector and the Ryan Report on Industrial Schools. The area we canvassed tonight would be considered middle class but the anger was fierce from many. The important point, I stressed to many, is to turn that anger into action, not only at the polls on June 5th, but in politics in general.The universality of the anti-FF response is truly encouraging; from working class to middle class, young to old, public to private, across the board. Our challenge is to build that alternative, and the response has been very positive indeed.
Monday, 9 March 2009
Press Release - Pat’s Man Looney Delighted With Rovers Move
Speaking ahead of Shamrock Rovers' first home game in the new Tallaght Stadium, Dermot Looney, a local Labour Party election candidate, has said that Rovers' move is bright news amidst the gloom for both the local community and League of Ireland football. Looney, a candidate for the Tallaght Central Ward, has congratulated Rovers and their fans for the tenacity they have shown in the 22 years since the controversial sale of Glenmalure Park.
Looney (26) is a lifelong St Patrick's Athletic fan and patron member of St Pat's, and has previously been a supporters' club chairman and fanzine editor for the Inchicore club. He was also an award-winning journalist specialising in League of Ireland football before becoming a primary teacher in Old Bawn, just a stone's throw from the stadium. But he is leaving footballing rivalry behind with a warm welcome for Rovers in Tallaght.
"The build-up to this special move has set Tallaght alight over the past few weeks," noted Looney, "both figuratively and literally! The place has been abuzz and the switching on of the new floodlights at the stadium has added even more to local excitement. As someone teaching local children I know how much the season kick-off has engaged young people, clear evidence that Rovers' community strategy in Tallaght is paying off."
"Special credit is due to Chairman Jonathan Roche and the old 400 club on their tremendous work in rescuing and democratising Shamrock Rovers. Congratulations are also due to the Council officials and staff who have worked so hard to ensure this day comes. News that a new 3,000 seat stand will be completed by June will mean a fantastic community resource in the many years ahead."
"One of the first political actions I ever took was signing and circulating a Rovers for Tallaght petition when I was in my teens. More than a decade later, I'm pledging my total support to Rovers if I'm elected to the Council in June, in terms of Council decisions and policy on the development of the stadium. The only time Rovers won't have my support is when they're playing Pat's!"
Looney (26) is a lifelong St Patrick's Athletic fan and patron member of St Pat's, and has previously been a supporters' club chairman and fanzine editor for the Inchicore club. He was also an award-winning journalist specialising in League of Ireland football before becoming a primary teacher in Old Bawn, just a stone's throw from the stadium. But he is leaving footballing rivalry behind with a warm welcome for Rovers in Tallaght.
"The build-up to this special move has set Tallaght alight over the past few weeks," noted Looney, "both figuratively and literally! The place has been abuzz and the switching on of the new floodlights at the stadium has added even more to local excitement. As someone teaching local children I know how much the season kick-off has engaged young people, clear evidence that Rovers' community strategy in Tallaght is paying off."
"Special credit is due to Chairman Jonathan Roche and the old 400 club on their tremendous work in rescuing and democratising Shamrock Rovers. Congratulations are also due to the Council officials and staff who have worked so hard to ensure this day comes. News that a new 3,000 seat stand will be completed by June will mean a fantastic community resource in the many years ahead."
"One of the first political actions I ever took was signing and circulating a Rovers for Tallaght petition when I was in my teens. More than a decade later, I'm pledging my total support to Rovers if I'm elected to the Council in June, in terms of Council decisions and policy on the development of the stadium. The only time Rovers won't have my support is when they're playing Pat's!"
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