2008 was a great year....but 2009 was better. With the aid of at-the-time fellow Tallafornia dwellers Billy And Andre, I finally got the right paperwork in front of me and Allenton United Football club was formed, July 5th 2008.
It had been a thought in our minds for a couple of years but never made it passed drunk talk until then. From there it was time to coax a man to lead the battalion, and we had known for a while that a return to football for Tommy Hogan would both him and the club no harm. So with a registered club and a manager, what next? Well from that week on it was the start of Allenton United’s first season as a member of UCFL Div 3a (could have been 3b, thanks very much Bobby Clarke!!) and finally an allocation of a pitch in Dodder Valley Park, Tallaght(Dublin equivalent to a Tornado valley in America).
There was broad interest from day 1, with Billy, Andre and yours truly being joined by friends and acquaintances from far and wide, the likes of Pavol, our esteemed Chef/Goalkeeper, who disappeared with some bad excuses, never to be seen again. A few more of his like were Karl Walker, the waterboy, Bobby Clarke(see above), two members of the Hogan clan(Mark and Darragh) although Mark makes the odd cameo, and Brian Whelan’s legs finally gave in(but he really just gave in to his misuss.) We can’t forget other contributer’s to our season so a quick thanks to Joe Nolan, Derek Hogan, Gary Fields, David O’Mahony, Evan, Ultan and especially young Gary.
So as pre-season took shape and the less committed disappeared, we went and trained at our Marlay Park base and took part in two Pre-Season friendlies, including higher level opposition – and WON both of them comfortably.
This as we know now was a false dawn and the form leading up to our first league game maybe put us ahead of ourselves. As everyone knows at this stage we went on a run that lesser men would have cried over:
Allenton 1 – 3 Conwell Rovers 3 – Marc
Allenton 3 – 3 Moorfield – Thomas, Mick, Andre
Shielton 4 – 2 Allenton - Andre(2)
Sportslink 3 – 1 Allenton - Bobby
Terenure 3 – 1 Allenton – Mick
WFC 4 – 0 Allenton
Glasnaion 0 – 0 Allenton (Featured in the Star)
Allenton 1 – 4 Grazmatazz – Jon Redmond
Allenton 0 – 2 Grosvenor Lane
Allenton 5 – 7 Sportslink – Davide, Joe, Thomas, Jon Redmond (2)
So Christmas had come and added to the 9 league defeats were a walkover awarded to Brayzil in the challenge cup, and a defeat to Dollymount at home in the Sidney Bedlow:
Allenton 4 – 5 Dollymount – Andre, Marc, Mick (2)
Things were looking bleak and our esteemed sponsor, KCO, through their Managing Director and Allenton right-full Francisco Villena( who deserves a mountain of praise for his companies sponsorship and purchase of both our home and away strip) did the honourable thing – he posted an advert online looking for a keeper. Now don’t take away from the fact that since our regular keeper was probably deported, Rob Dwyer our centre-half/Winger/Full-back/Ladies man had been an admirable stand-in, he himself knew the goals would continue to flow past him. We needed someone to answer the call. Enter Steve Brady.....
Now Steve would be the first to say that he was a bit rusty coming back, but his efforts between the sticks for Allenton have been very good. An excellent shot-stopper who sometimes, I think, must have glue on his boots or be allergic to anywhere outside his six-yard box(only joking Stevo). Apart from a couple of what I like to call “Brucie Moments” he has been excellent and kept us in a number of games. His first game was probably one to forget a five nil drubbing to Strand at home, even though they were fellow strugglers.
We had an unlucky evening game under floodlit conditions against Larkview and probably were value for something from the game. The introduction of two new squad members – Richie and Davide had bolstered our lack of numbers in a small way. The introduction of 2 of the first team players put paid to our hopes of a victory and put Larkview up in the game and they held on:
Larkview 3 -2 Allenton – Marc(2)
Followed swifty by a home defeat to the now champions:
Allenton 1 – 3 Terenure - Mick
It was at this stage of the season that even though all the deadwood was gone from the squad, we were struggling to field 11 players. One such afternoon was the straw that broke the camels back, even though we put in an amazing performance in the second half.
Glasnaion arrived in Dodder Valley and the pundits would have gone for a low scoring game – only 1 goal in the two games between these sides previously. They were very wrong....
At our lowest point of the season, we had to beg steal and borrow just to field a measly ten players. As usual the wind was blowing at around 160mph in Tallaght and Glasnaion took full advantage of our lack of numbers and the windy conditions – they led at half-time 3-0. But for the first time all season, things went Allenton’s way. An early second half penalty for handball, duly dispatched by Andre. A long ball downfield and Thomas through on the keeper, about to pull the trigger and was brought down, Andre calmly sticks another one home. Thomas prods home the third and its level. Allenton were not finished, Jon Redmond adding two to the tally. By the last minute it was all square at 5-5 with Glasnaion winning a pen and a dubious decision for offside favouring the away team.
Allenton 5 – 5 Glasnaion – Thomas, Andre (2), Jon Redmond(2)
At this point and probably rightly so, Tommy Hogan had enough. It was bad enough we had only taken 2 points from 13 league games, not being able to field 11 players was beyond a joke. Discussions were had and we agreed to keep going for the foreseeable future, providing we could keep the core group of players together. And sticking at it certainly reaped its rewards.
After such a bad week the last thing we needed was to have Shielton, at the time 2nd in the league and pushing for promotion to come to our turf. With new additions to the squad Lee and Alan and the return of Paul Byrne from injury, we boasted a strong starting eleven and put Shielton to the sword. Creatively they were a good side but the work of Andre and Billy in the middle was phenomenal. Paul still recovering from injury played most of the game in pain up front, and gave the back four no easy game. Thomas banged one in from the edge of the box from a flick-on and Allenton lead at the break. Shielton scored early in the second half and it was looking like point number three of the season until the away keeper took a high ball and left a trailing leg out on Gary, and the ref had no choice but to point to the spot. Cue Andre, cooly slotting it home and ensuing celebrations would make you think we had won the World Cup!!!!
Allenton 2 – 1 Shielton – Thomas, Andre
With the team buzzing we received good news. After badgering Tommy at every available opportunity, he finally agreed to return to the helm after his return from a trip to Italy, so left us without a manager from only one more game at Grosvenor Lane.
Another win and a goal for Thomas as his header was on its way in and deflected off the Grosvenor full-back. My season was cut short by a fractured right arm following a collision with the Grosvenor Keeper. But the lads performed extremely well to defend the lead and the team held out for victory number 2.
Grosvenor Lane 0 -1 Allenton – Thomas
So Tommy returned in time for our foray into shield competition and a trip to WFC. Goals from Mick, Alan and Davide ensured the game went to penalties, with Davide taking the winng pen after Steve had pulled off a couple of great saves. Allenton advance to the quarter finals.
WFC 3 – 3 Allenton (Allenton win on pens 3 – 0) – Davide, Mick, Alan
Three wins on the trot and we headed to Ballyogan to face Grazmatazz, early season favourites and worthy winners of our first encounter. Tommy opted to man-mark their star man, with Barry being handed the task. And he handled it. It was probably the performance of the season of any man in an Allenton shirt with Grazmatazz resorting to dirty tactics and getting a man sent off. Barry marshalled their no 10 so well, he was taken off early in the second half, having made no contribution. Mick had a smashing game, winning a pen for Andre to convert and scoring two,maybe the fact it was the first time this season his misuss was watching means we should bring her to all the games. Also one of the best team performances of the season, up there with the Shielton game a few weeks earlier.
Grazmatazz 0 – 3 Allenton – Mick(2), Andre
Our league form had transferred to the Shield and we contested a quarter final at
home to Strand and ran out 3 – 2 winners with two goals from Mick and a great flick from Jon Redmond. Special mention for him as he has scored from inside his own half, from 40, 30, 20 and a yard this season, and has been inspirational at the back.
Allenton 3 – 2 Strand – Mick(2), Jon Redmond
So with only 5 league games to go, Allenton went to Clondalkin in search of win number for in the league and came back empty handed – they only bright note – Billy scoring his first of the season from his central midfield berth, working hard alongside Andre, who as the regular penalty taker has scored every one from the spot.(hope it doesn’t put you off your next one) Moorfield sickeningly bagged the winner in added time.
Moorfield 2 -1 Allenton – Billy
Allenton then went back into shield mode with a great victory over subsequent Sidney Bedlow Cup Winners Grosvenor Lane, in a thrilling extra time victory courtesy of some great finishing from Richie.
Allenton 5 -4 Grosvenor Lane AET – Richie,Davide, Jon, Mick (2)
As the previous post denotes, a proud day out in the Shield Final for Allenton, beaten by a very good Terenure Side but not disgraced on the day. A great strike from Mick.
Terenure 3 – 1 Allenton - Mick
A horrible night in Dodder Valley with plenty of goals and Allenton on the receiving end of a 6-4 defeat. Compunded by dredful refereeing and Larkview's use of seemingly ineligable players.
Allenton 4 – 6 Larkview – Mick, Marc, Andre(2)
A great win away against one of the leagues top sides, Paul Byrne finally grabbing a goal this season and Barry grabbing two from midfield, with great performances from Alan in the middle and also Mick upfront.
Conwell 3 – 5 Allenton – Mick, Paul, Andre, Barry(2)
A real nasty game, with Steve being hero then villan, scoring from a kick-out and being sent off in the second half. Richie jumped in between the sticks but WFC shaded it, even though Allenton had great chances late on. Two great strikes from Alan.
Allenton 3 – 4 WFC – Steve, Alan(2)
Unfortunately we had to give a walkover in our last game to Strand Utd.
Overall, we had a great second half to the season, especially with the introduction of new blood in the form of Lee, Davide, Steve, Alan and Richie.
The main core of the team has stayed the same, so a big thanks to Rob and Barry, the chuckle brothers, always dedicated, even if Barry is always late to meet for games, Dre and Billy, who are always there rain or shine, to help mark the pitch and set-up for the game, Kiko, whose generosity sorted us out with two lovely strips, Jon and Paul, the elder statesmen of the team, who bring experience and battling qualities to the team and who help keep us motivated on the pitch, Mick and Mark who have chipped in with some great goals also.
So congrats to Mick who was our top scorer on 15, and in my own opinion, Jon Redmonds thunderbolt from inside his own half has to be the best goal we've seen in Dodder Valley all season.
Hopefully in the next few weeks our new home will be located and we can look forward to another exciting season in UCFL Div 3A.
Thanks
Tom Hogan
Chairman
Allenton United
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