Sports
A memorable night on Sports Academy From Belarus to Oriel: When Dundalk Dared to Dream Against BATE Borisov Gavin McLaughlin and Dundalk FC general manager Martin Connolly joined John Murphy on Sports Academy as the Lilywhites prepared for a defining Champions League night. Sports Academy • 20 July 2015 • UEFA Champions League second qualifying round In July 2015, Dundalk FC stood one goal away from eliminating one of the most experienced clubs in Champions League qualifying. Belarusian champions BATE Borisov had beaten Stephen Kenny’s side 2–1 in the first leg at the modern Borisov Arena on 15 July. Dundalk returned home defeated, but far from discouraged. David McMillan’s away goal meant that a 1–0 victory at Oriel Park would send the League of Ireland champions into the next round. BATE BorisovBorisov Arena 2–1 Dundalk FC15 July 2015 Five days after the first leg, Dundalk Democrat sports journalist Gavin McLaughlin joined John Murphy on Dundalk FM’s Sports Academy. McLaughlin described the Borisov Arena, the atmosphere surrounding the European fixture and the conversations and opinions shared by Dundalk’s travelling support. The first leg had started badly for the visitors when Aleksandr Karnitski put BATE ahead. Dundalk responded impressively. A move involving Daryl Horgan and Richie Towell created the opening for McMillan, who calmly finished from the edge of the penalty area and sent the travelling support into celebration. BATE restored its lead before half-time, but Dundalk prevented the hosts from adding to their advantage after the interval. Against a club accustomed to European group-stage football, the Irish champions remained composed, technically assured and very much alive in the tie. What was at stake? Contemporary reports estimated that progression would guarantee Dundalk approximately €1.2 million in prize money. More immediately, a single unanswered goal at Oriel Park would be enough to eliminate BATE on the away-goals rule then used by UEFA. Martin Connolly’s message to supporters During the second half of the programme, Dundalk FC general manager Martin Connolly joined the conversation with important advice for everyone heading to Oriel Park on Wednesday, 22 July. With a capacity crowd expected and European match-night arrangements in place, supporters were encouraged to plan ahead and help create the kind of atmosphere that could lift the Lilywhites. The anticipation was felt all over the town. Tickets were precious, conversation was dominated by possible line-ups and scorelines, and one question hung over Oriel: could Dundalk finish the job against a team accustomed to playing on Europe’s biggest stages? Excitement around the return leg was enormous. Dundalk were reigning League of Ireland champions and had shown in Belarus that they could compete with a club of BATE’s European experience. Stephen Kenny described his players as prepared and ready to attack the tie, while acknowledging that the visitors would arrive conscious of the threat Dundalk posed. A brave European campaign ends narrowly A crowd of just over 3,100 packed into Oriel Park on 22 July. Dundalk kept BATE scoreless but could not find the goal required to overturn the first-leg deficit. The match finished 0–0, sending the Belarusian champions through 2–1 on aggregate. Dundalk FC Oriel Park 0–0 BATE Borisov BATE won 2–1 on aggregate Although the result ended Dundalk’s European campaign, the two performances strengthened the belief that Kenny’s team belonged at that level. BATE went on to reach the Champions League group stage, while Dundalk completed 2015 by retaining the League of Ireland title and winning the FAI Cup. The story also gained a remarkable sequel. Drawn against BATE again in 2016, Dundalk overturned another first-leg deficit with a famous 3–0 victory at Tallaght Stadium. Two goals from David McMillan and a late Robbie Benson strike delivered a 3–1 aggregate win and one of the greatest European results achieved by an Irish club. That later triumph gave additional meaning to the discussion heard on Sports Academy in July 2015. The confidence of the travelling supporters, the belief created by McMillan’s away goal and the expectation surrounding the return to Oriel were early signs of the extraordinary European journey still to come. Sources and further reading Dundalk FM 97.7 — current official station website and Sports Academy listing. League of Ireland: Dundalk’s top European moments — account of David McMillan’s 2015 goal in Borisov and the 2016 victory. The Irish Times: David McMillan goal gives Dundalk confidence — report from the first leg. Irish Independent: Gritty Dundalk keep dream alive — contemporary account from Belarus and the financial importance of progression. The Irish Times: Stephen Kenny previews the return leg. The42: Goalless draw ends Dundalk’s European campaign — report from Oriel Park. Extratime: Dundalk 0–0 BATE Borisov — second-leg match report. Sky Sports: Dundalk v BATE match information and teams. The42: Dundalk warning over counterfeit Champions League tickets. RTÉ Sport: Dundalk’s famous 2016 victory over BATE — the sequel to the 2015 tie. A Dundalk FM look back at a European tie that helped shape an unforgettable era for the Lilywhites.
Happy Birthday to Ayuna Murphy and hello to Stephen, hello to Gerry McArdle, O’Hanlon Park, to the local hope Joe Martin, Dublin Street who scored 109 goals for Dundalk in his career, to Vinno Gray – hello from Philip in Manchester, Tom King Legion Avenue, the two Maxis in Coxes Demesne, Eamon Matthews McSwiney Street, Tom Murphy and Paddy Mullen from the Quay, Gerry Casey, Eamon Dowdall, Andrew Mackin and his sons Emmet and Cian listening in Blarney in Cork, John Mc Court who listens in from Zambia, Simon Mackin and Mark Guinness in Sydney who get up at 3 in the morning to listen to the commentary, David Farrelly, Switzerland, David Kelledy in Boston, Alan McManus in Melbourne and Tommy Begley listening in in Jersey. If you would like to tell John where you are listening in from or would like to say a hello to some friends or family then email info@dundalkfm.ie or send a message to John directly on his Facebook page ‘John Murphy on Dundalk FM’. [podcast title=”John Murphy’s Half Time Hello’s from Dalymount Park 24 March 2015″]http://newwpsite.dundalkfm.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Johns-half-time-Hellos-from-Dalymount-Park4-March015.mp3[/podcast]
[podcast title=”Dundalk Cricket Club”]https://dundalkfm.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/3-Dundalk-Cricket-Club.mp3[/podcast] Recorded at the Information Day held at the Spirit Store, Dundalk and at a match between Dundalk and Adamstown at Green Road, Dromiskin in August 2017. Thank you to all the contributors Abdul Mooed, Shane Gilson, Brian Feely, Liam Gaynor, Derek Turner, Ruth and Niall MacCarthaigh, Glen Armstrong, Ian Chong, Seamus McDermott, Fergus Boyle, Suseel Dev, Gerry Murphy, and to Kevin O’Brien and George Dockrell. Dundalk Cricket Club is Part One of a six part series for Dundalk FM entitled ‘Community Sports Clubs of Co Louth’. Recording and Editing by Alan Byrne. This programme was made with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television Licence Fee. For more information about the Dundalk Cricket Club check out their website here.
[podcast title=”Square United”]https://dundalkfm.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/5-Community-Sports-Square-United-Website.mp3[/podcast] Square United feature in a 30 minute radio programme recorded in August of 2017 at their Summer camp in the Boy’s School Field, Ardee. A special thank you to Paddy Griffen, Daniel McDonnell, Lisa and Shane Conlon and the players of Square United and I wish you every success and hope that you enjoy the programme. Duration: 30 minutes. Recording and Editing: Alan Byrne This programme was funded with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television Licence Fee. For more information about Square United check out their website here. Alan Byrne
[podcast title=”Dundalk Golf Club”]https://dundalkfm.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/6-Community-Sports-Dundalk-Golf-Club-Website.mp3[/podcast]
Weekly Sports Shows on Dundalk FM Sports Academy John Murphy, Robbie Rafferty, (Dundalk Summer League), Gussie Hearty (Soccer) and Richie Ford (GAA) every Saturday at 4pm. Oriel Park Live Pre-match build-up with David Bellew and Orla Crilly followed by full match commentary with John Murphy, Gussie Hearty and Ger Cunningham from home and away matches Fridays at 7.00pm. Summer League Focus Gussie Hearty, Robbie Rafferty and Dazer Bond (May to November) Wednesdays at 8pm. For a complete directory of sports clubs in County Louth see the Louth Sports Partnership website www.louthlsp.ie American Football Louth Mavericks Website/Club page: https://www.americanfootball.ie/team/louth-mavericks/ https://www.facebook.com/louthmavericks/ Angling Dundalk and District Brown Trout Anglers Website/Club page: www.browntroutanglers.com Dundalk Salmon Anglers Website/Club page: https://dundalksalmonanglers.weebly.com/ Archery Cuchulainn Archers Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/cuchulainn.archers Ardee Archers Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/ardeearchery/ (Last post 2019) Athletic Clubs Ardee & District Athletic Club Website/Club page: http://ardeedistrictac.com Blackrock Athletic Club Website/Club page: www.blackrockac.com Glenmore Athletic Club Website/Club page: www.glenmoreac.com Mount Pleasant Athletic Club Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/Mountpleasant-AC-769803013111853/ (Last post 2015) Dundealgan Athletic Club Website/Club page: http://www.dundealganac.com/ (Last updated 2018) North East Runners Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/northeastrunners.dundalk St Gerard’s Athletic Club Website/Club page: www.stgerardsac.org (Last news post for 2017) St Peter’s Athletic Club, Dromiskin Website/Club page: www.stpetersac.com (Last updated 2019) Basketball Dundak Ravens Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/DundalkRavensBasketballClub/ Boxing Ardee Boxing Club Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/ArdeeBoxingClub/ Clann Noafa Boxing Academy Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/Clann-Naofa-Boxing-Academy-169420576731521/ Dealgan Boxing Club Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Company/DEALGAN-BOXING-CLUB-173558354222/ Kilanny Boxing Club Website/Club page: None available Muirhevnamor Boxing Club Website/Club page: None available https://vymaps.com/IE/Muirhevnamore-Boxing-Club-1814244/ O’Hanlon Park Boxing Club Website/Club page: http://www.ohanlonparkhillview.com/boxing.html Tredagh Boxing Academy, Termonfeckin Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/TredaghBoxingAcademy/ Cricket Dundalk Cricket Club Website/Club page: http://www.dundalkcricket.com/ Cycling Ardee Cycling Club Website/Club page: https://ardeecc.club/ https://www.facebook.com/ardeecyclingclub/ Louth WATCH (Walking and Tandem Cycling1 for Health) Club Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/watchclublouth/ Darts Website/Club page: www.dundalkcycling.com Diving Dundalk Sub Aqua Search and Rescue Website/Club page: www.dundalksubaqua.ie Gaelic Games St Brides GFC, Knockbridge Website/Club page: http://www.stbridesgfc.com/Pages/houseDraw.aspx St Geraldine’s GFC. Haggardstown Website/Club page: http://geraldinesgfc.ie/ St Malachy’s GFC, Hackballscross Website/Club page: http://www.stmalachys.ie/ https://www.facebook.com/stmalachysgfc/ St Joseph’s GFC, Dromiskin Website/Club page: http://thejoesgfc.com Clan na Gael GFC, Echo Road, Dundalk Website/Club page: (Website under development) https://www.facebook.com/ClannGAA/ Dundalk Young Irelands GFC Website/Club page: www.dundalkyoungirelands.com / https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Amateur-Sports-Team/Dundalk-Young-Irelands-GFC-DYI-152983585697/ Dundalk Gaels, Avenue Road, Dundalk Website/Club page: (Website suspended) https://www.facebook.com/dundalk.gaels/ Kilkerley Emmets GAA Website/Club page: http://kilkerleyemmets.louth.gaa.ie/Pages/Default.aspx Roche Emmets GAA Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/rocheemmets/ Sean O’Mahony’s, Point Road, Dundalk Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/seanomahonys/posts/ Louth GAA Website Website/Club page: www.louthgaa.ie Golf Ballymascanlon Golf Club Website/Club page: https://www.ballymascanlon.com/golf.html Greenore Golf Club Website/Club page: www.greenoregolfclub.com Dundalk Golf Club, Blackrock Website/Club page: www.dundalkgolfclub.ie Gyms Aura Leisure Centre Website/Club page: https://www.auraleisure.ie/ Felda, Dublin Road Website/Club page: https://www.felda.ie/ Karate Blackrock Wadokai Website/Club page: http://www.irelandwadokai.ie/ Dundalk Karate Club Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/dundalk.karate/ Mixed Martial Arts SANDA Mixed Martial Arts Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/SandaMMAdundalk/ Dundalk MMA Website/ Club page: https://www.facebook.com/DundalkMMA/ Irish Martial Arts Academy Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/IRISHMAA/ http://www.irishmartialartsacademy.com/ Team Torres Mixed Martial Arts Academy Website/Club page: https://www.teamtorresdundalk.com Motocross Dundalk and District Motocross Club, Dundalk Motopark, Kilcurry Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Dundalkmotopark/posts/?ref=page_internal Pitch and Putt Courses Channonrock, Conlon’s Pub, Carrick Road, Dundalk Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/Channonrock-pitch-and-putt-608126372602964/ Inniskeen Pitch and Putt Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Stadium–Arena—Sports-Venue/Inniskeen-Pitch-and-Putt-Club-559164044232084/ http://www.ldmpitchandputt.com/inniskeen.html Point Road Website/Club page: None available Rugby Carlingford Rugby Club Website/Club page: https://carlingford-knights-rfc.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral / https://www.facebook.com/Carlingford-Knights-RFC-1719963534965188/ Dundalk Rugby Club, Mill Road, Castletown, Dundalk Website/Club page: https://www.dundalkrfc.ie/ https://www.facebook.com/DundalkRFC/ Sailing Carlingford Lough Yacht Club, Killowen Point, Rostrevor, Co Down Website/Club page: http://www.clyc.info/ Carlingford Sailing Club, Ghan Road, Carlingford Website/Club page: http://www.carlingfordsailingclub.net/ Soccer League of Ireland Dundalk FC Website/Club page: www.dundalkfc.com Dundalk and District Junior League aka Summer League https://www.facebook.com/DUNDALKD/ Muirhevnamor FC Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/muirhevnamor.fc/?ref=page_internal Shamrocks FC Website/Club page: http://shamrocksfcdundalk.com/ Rampart Celtic Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/RampartCeltic/ St Dominic’s FC Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/stdominicsfc (Last updated 2015) Dundalk Winter League Bay United FC, Bay Estate Website/Club page: www.bayfc.com Glenmuir FC Website/Club page: www.glenmuirfc.com Quay Celtic FC Website/Club page: https://www.quayceltic.com Redeemer FC Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/Redeemer-Celtic-1636815569888509/ Rock Celtic FC, Blackrock Website/Club page: http://www.rockcelticfc.com/ Shamrocks FC Website/Club page: http://shamrocksfcdundalk.com/ St Dominic’s FC Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/stdoms2017/posts/?ref=page_internal Swimming Aura Leisure Centre, St Alphonsus Road Website/Club page: https://www.auraleisure.ie/location/dundalk/ Felda Website/Club page: https://www.felda.ie/ Tennis Ballymascanlon Leisure Centre (2 Courts Available) Website/Club page: https://www.ballymascanlon.com/leisure.html Dundalk Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club Website/Club page: www.dundalkracketsclub.com Dundalk Sports Centre (1 Court Available) Website/Club page: https://www.dundalksportscentre.com/ Triathlon Setanta Triathlon Club Website/Club page: http://setantatriathlonclub.com/ Walking and Hiking Wee Binnian Walkers Website/Club page: www.weebinnians.com Let’s go Walking Roche Website/Club page: https://www.facebook.com/rocheemmets/photos/a.286378441472199/2207806872662670/?type=3 Dromiskin Fit Club Website/Club page: https://www.dromiskinns.ie/parents-page/dromiskin-fit-club/ / https://www.facebook.com/dromiskinfitclub/ Kilbroney Ramblers Website/Club page: http://www.kilbroneyramblers.com/contact-us.html Gap O’ the North Hill Walking Club Website/Club page: http://gaponorth.co.uk/ 1 Cycling for the visually impaired 2 No management: “turn-up-and-play”
Here is a sample of the Sports Programme Proposals that we have received since February 2002. There’s more to come as we classify the stack of proposals and figure out where they belong. In the meantime, this is what we have – most of these programmes did get their place in the schedule, others never made it past the ‘good idea at the time’ stage. If you want to add your name to Dundalk FM’s list of community broadcasters then call in to our Programme and Technical meetings which are open to everybody and are on the first Tuesday of the month at the station starting at 5pm. GAA Words & Music 14/12/10 Dermot Woods The show appeals to a wide range of GAA fans of all ages. The show covers everything to do with GAA in the local area, and also includes interviews with special guests. General Sports Ball Talk Intended audience people young and old interested in sports. The show is about sport mainly focusing on local sport ranging from, GAA following the progress of the six Gaelic clubs in the town of Dundalk at all levels and age groups, (eight areas for Cumman Peile na nÓg), the Hurling league and the progress of all county teams. Soccer: with the commencement of the FAI during the summer following the progress of Dundalk FC. Golf, following the major competitions held around the town and major sporting events nationally and inter-nationals such as the World Cup, Embassy World Championship and the Irish Open. Midweek Local Sports Round Up 12/06/07 Intended audience, all ages people ages. Issues/topic covered, a round up of all the weeks sports results for all local sports teams and clubs from Dundalk and the surrounding local area. Saturday Sport 23/08/02 Intended audience 20 yrs- 45 yrs old. Issues/topics to be covered, current sporting events and related issues. Musical theme contemporary music. Sports Celebrity Profile 20/08/02 Micheal Heeney This programme appeals to a general audience plus interested groups. The show features profiles of famous and infamous sports world celebrities. Sports Dundalk 02/08/02 Damien McQuillan This show appeals to anyone with an interest in sports. The show covers all sports, and all age groups involved in those sports. Sports Sports Sports Intended audience, people of all ages interested in sport. Issues covered general sports from around Dundalk and the local area including GAA, soccer, rugby etc. Musical theme general chart music. The Field Behind The Plough Micheal Heerey This show appeals to a wide ranging audience. The show features the development of GAA clubs in the local area, as well as the history of local courses and grey hounds. Horseracing Racing Daily19/05/05 Gerard Mellon This show appeals to an audience that are racing goers, enthusiasts and punters. The show features news analysis, (main race at each meeting) and naps on the daily racing in Ireland and England. Ice Hockey Bullseye – Martin Grant, Sonia McEneaney and Liam Burke. Radio on Ice – a weekly radio show dedicated to the Dundalk Ice Hockey team the Dundalk Bulls. Pigeon Racing Pigeon Racing Desmond Murray The show appeals to anyone interested in pigeon racing. The show features pieces on the pigeon race training, events plus clubs. Rugby Oddly Shaped Balls 06/01/14 Geraldine Kieran This show would appeal to sports and rugby fans. The programme is a feature rugby show, review of the weekend’s games as well as all topics related to rugby. Soccer Dundalk Days 10/06/05 Neil Ross This show appeals to football fans past and a general audience. The show features a different guest interview each week, interviews with Dundalk FC fans and everything to do with Dundalk FC. Saturday Soccer Live 06/08/13 David Lennon, Ciaran Hughes, Ciaran Callan The show appeals to all fans and people interested in soccer. The show covers all things to do with Premiership, Championship and all European football. The show also includes a text and phone in section. Summer League Focus 04/07/12 Gussie Hearty, Robbie Rafferty and Alan McComish The show appeals to all sports fans and people interested in soccer in Dundalk. The show features interviews with guest and a discussion on everything happening in the Summer League. Supporters of Dundalk FC 14/01/04 Derek Pepper This show appeals to anyone with an interest in Dundalk FC. The show features match analysis, player interviews, guest speakers, and fans eye views. Water Sports and Activities Making Waves 17/06/02 Intended audience marine and angling community, people involved in all types of water sports and leisure activities involving water. The fishing and aqua culture community, wider community at large. Issues/topics to be covered maritime news & features programme, focusing on Dundalk maritime heritage, including features on aqua culture, the Port Company, angling, sailing & fishing. Wrestling Wrestling Weekly – Denis Kennedy and Barry Kearney Intended audience, wrestling fans, children, teenagers, young adults. Issues topics covered in the show, results & success of WWE – Tough Enough. Voxpops of fans, & interviews with superstars. Reviews of upcoming events and what’s happening. Musical themes – Entrance themes & tunes of WWE Wrestling Superstars.
Tune into the Rugby Show with Geraldine Kieran on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 7.00 pm until 8.00 pm.
Tune into Summer League Focus with Gussie Hearty and Robbie Rafferty every Wednesday from 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm. DUNDALK FM MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORY THE SUMMER LEAGUE FOCUS SHOW Back in 2004, a member of the Dundalk and District Junior League heard an ad on fledgling local radio station Dundalk FM inviting sports and community groups to get involved in programming. This piqued an interest, and with no specific intention in mind, 5 representatives from the DDJL attended a subsequent public meeting. Less than a year later they had completed Dundalk FM’s in- house radio training course and The Summer League Focus show was born. 14 years, later it continues as a weekly one hour live broadcast that covers all aspects of the DDJL, including live coverage and commentary of league matches, and regular interviews with managers and players. In the early days the programme was available as a podcast, however as streaming became more prevalent this ceased as the listeners it attracted around the globe are now able to access the show live. Not long into its tenure, football historian and author Robbie Rafferty was invited on as guest to talk about the history of the DDJL, which at that stage had spanned more than a century, and he too found a new home in the Dundalk FM studios, remaining to this day as one of The Summer League Focus’s main anchors. Gussie Hearty, who was one of the original 5, points out that The Summer League Focus was the first of its kind on Dundalk FM, as it concentrated on a particular sport. It spawned a number of similar programmes dedicated to local GAA, rugby and ice hockey, but perhaps its most significant imitator is something that has become one of the station’s most recognisable features. Spurred on by the success of The Summer League Focus’s live match commentary, another Dundalk sporting legend and a presenter of the weekly Sport’s Academy, John Murphy, hit on the idea of commentating on Dundalk FC matches, and the rest as they say… Speaking on the programme’s evolution, Gussie explained that they were all “nervous at the star” but that they eventually “just got used to talking on air” and that it is now just second nature to them. He also admitted that they have all grown in confidence since the early days and are now capable of taking on broadcasting challenges that they would previously have run a mile from. Robbie concurs with this. When asked if he ever imagined he would be on live radio discussing the the DDJL and commentating on matches he replies “never”, and goes on to say that he considers himself to be “the worst commentator in the world”, though it is clear his listenership do not share this opinion, as he is regularly stopped on the streets of Dundalk by people looking to praise his ability as a pundit and engage in conversation about the Dundalk District Junior League and the Summer League Focus Show. Both Gussie and Robbie point out that getting to grips with broadcasting was not the only difficulty they have had to contend with over the last 14 years. The Dundalk District Junior League was hit badly by the recession, as local companies who had teams in the league closed down, and many of their players were forced to seek employment outside of Dundalk and Ireland. However, this is where the Summer League Focus Show has been able to soften that blow, by providing a platform whereby those that are geographically no longer in a position to take an active part in the DDJL can still follow the league and keep abreast of eveything that is happening in it. Overall, both Gussie and Robbie believe the Summer League Focus Show has not only been instrumental in their personal development as viable, recognisable and revered community broadcasters, it has increased their sense of confidence, and the confidence of the DDJL as a whole, and given that veteran institution a further legacy, and a sense of belonging in an area that had the potential for fraction and ultimate extinction. From Dundalk FM’s perspective, this is a perfect example of facilitating a community group and reinforcing their capacity to achieve their goals. The Dundalk and District Junior League (known locally as simply the summer league) runs every year from May until September by teams from Dundalk and surrounding areas. Founded in the 1905/1906 season (the league previously ran from September to May), the Dundalk and District League was revived after World War I in 1919 and has proved resilient up until the present day. Two of the early winners of the league, The G.N.R and Drogheda United, have gone on to reach league of Ireland standard as Dundalk FC and Drogheda United. Many international players have begun their career in the league. Many seasons of the league have produced players who have gone on to play senior football.
Tune into for all the best in sports news and chat on the Saturday Sports Show, every Saturday from 3.00 pm – 4.00 pm The Saturday Sports on every Saturday for one hour, bringing you the best in sports at the weekends.
