My First Game
As Dundalk FC Supporters we all have that one moment when we started following Dundalk FC, that first game when we went up to Oriel Park or on the road to our first away game. Well my first Dundalk FC game was the FAI Cup Final in Dalymount Park in 1988 between Derry City and Dundalk.
I remember it like it was yesterday. I suppose its one of those memories that never really leaves you. Back then the League of Ireland season was winter-based and the season finale, the FAI Cup final, was on in May rather than the annual day out to the Aviva in November the we League of Ireland supporters experience these days. The game took place on May 1st, 1988 and was held in Dalymount Park.
I remember the trip up in the car with my parents. Back then there was no M1 so we had to drive through all the villages and towns up to the big smoke. All I remember was it taking ages and being excited for a big day out in Dublin. We parked up in Phibsboro and made our way to one of the local bars for the pre-match entertainment. I’m not sure which bar we went to but I remember the black and white scarves, flags and the singing, plenty of singing.
Shortly after I remember entering Dalymount for my first time, the noise, the crowds and the colours. It was fantastic, as a 10-year-old you can only imagine how infectious this experience was.
The game itself was a drab affair looking back, but at the time it was like the World Cup Final. The pitch was cut up and it was a blustery day so the quality on the pitch left a lot to be desired. But that didn’t matter. Seeing our local heroes running around the pitch was amazing, Barry Kehoe, John Cleary, Joey Malone, Dessie Gorman (a local celebrity in Glenwood back then), and as a young lad at my first football match you are partly there for the minerals and sweets too. You all know what I’m talking about!
Then the moment in the match that would change everything for me. Dundalk won a penalty in the 20th minute. I could see the excitement and the tension in all the Dundalk supporters faces, the place went silent as John Cleary stepped up to slot it home. I will never forget the crowd going crazy and jumping around, if this is what my local football club can give its supporters, I was all in. It was brilliant.
The game finished 1–0 to Dundalk, but I remember the occasion more than the actual match. It was infectious and I’m sure I never stopped talking about it for ages.
It was from this moment that I wanted more. I had my first game in Oriel Park at the start of the following 1989 ‑90 season, we were home to Athlone Town and we won 2–0 that day, but I will never forget my first Dundalk FC game. It’s a memory that will stay with me forever, thankfully.
Frank Carolan