Dynamos celebrate inaugural A Championship season 

Padraig Harnett - Tralee Dynamos Media Officer

Tralee Dynamos celebrated their first season in the League of Ireland A Championship as they had begun it with a very well attended function in The Brandon Hotel. It only seems a short time ago that we all gathered at the launch but what a successful first season it was.

This was the main topic of conversation at the social at which Mr John Delaney and Mr Ray Houghton were guests of honour. Indeed both gentlemen made great efforts to attend on the night. John Delaney flew back from a series of meetings at FIFA Headquarters in Geneva at 4.30pm and drove straight to Tralee . He had met Sepp Blatter during the day and wouldn’t you love to have been a fly on the wall in that room!

Jason Fitzgerald, Ray Houghton, Brian Fitzgerald (Player of the year) F.A. I. Chief Executive Mr. John Delaney

Ray Houghton had spent the day and early evening at functions in Clare and they had organised a police escort for Ray and his chauffeur for the day, Noel White, to make sure he got to the Brandon on time. This must be a first in Kerry where a soccer player received a police escort that he enjoyed!!

The Referees Society were represented by Seamus O’Mahoney and also in attendance were FAI RDO Darren Aherene, and the Kerry soccer media of Christy Leahy, Mike Rice and Murt Murphy. Media Officer Padriag Harnett was the MC for the evening which began with our Chairman Ger Moloney welcoming everybody and the gathering was also addressed by Kingdom Boys chairman Chris Kerins.

A number of presentations were made on the night. Firstly the five Kingdom Boys players who have been capped for Ireland in recent months were honoured. These are Jared O’Sullivan, Adam Piggott, Uros Ivkovic, Aaron ‘ Gaza ’ Houlihan and Gary O’Neill. Everybody at the function also wished Gary well on his up coming trip with the Irish under 15’s to the Aspire Academy in Dubai.

Internationals: John Delaney, Uros Ivkovic, Adam Piggott, Aaron Houlihan, Gary O'Neill, Jared O'Sullivan, Ray Houghton

The next presentations were for the past season in the A Championship which saw Jamie McIntyre winning the award for Young Player of the Year, Eoin Cassidy named as Top Scorer and Brian Fitzgerald scooping a well deserved double as he was named Media Player of the Year and Club Player of the Year.

The team then made presentations to their management team of Jason Fitzgerald, Joby Costello and Sean O’Sullivan in recognition of all their work during the year and they also presented singed jerseys to physio Fergus Foley and team Doctor John Chute.

The final presentation of the night was a surprise. It saw Colm Dunlea giving a passionate speech in recognising the work that Tony O’Neill has done since the founding of Kingdom Boys and now continues to do as a Director of the amalgamated club.

Some of the glitz & glamour at the Tralee Dynamos/Kingdom Boys social. 

 During his speech John Delaney praised the work being done by Dynamos / Kingdom Boys and wished them well for the coming season. He spoke of the importance of the A Championship as part of the League of Ireland and also praised the five Kingdom Boys players on their achievements. Of course everybody wanted to hear what he had to say regarding the ‘Hand of Henri’. He told of disappointment and frustration of the whole Irish footballing family and said that looking around the dressing room after the game was a heartbreaking sight.

However he wanted to see everyone move on and look forward to the next competition, which will be the European Championships in Poland and also the very exciting opening of the Aviva Stadium next year.

Speaking to him during the evening was very coy when the rumour that a 33 team World Cup was being considered although he said Blatter had ruled it out. The rumour circulating is that pressure is being put on Concaf by Denis O’Brien to raise the issue at the FIFA meeting in Cape Town early next week, two days before the World Cup draw is made. It seems that Denis O’Brien, who is a big player in the Caribbean region is involved in trying to get the matter raised so maybe all hope is not lost yet!

Ray Houghton, John Chute (Club Doctor), Brian Fitzgerald, James Sugrue, Fergus Foley (Club Physiotherapist), John Delaney

Ray Houghton gave a very positive speech where he told of how he went from a young person working in London for a whiskey company to being signed for West Ham, on the recommendation of a friend of his. He spoke of the importance of young players finishing their education and also of finding the balance between training and other aspects of life. One of his tips to all players is to continue to challenge themselves to do better and if they do that then they whole team will benefit. He was hugely popular later in the evening where he signed autographs and stood for photographs and proved yet again what a gentleman he is.

Overall it was a great evening and certainly the beautiful and stylish wives, girlfriends and partners added a much needed touch of glamour to the night but the men didn’t scrub up too badly either.

Dynamos legends: Pascal Carroll, Timmy Counihan, Ger Moloney, Murt Murphy

It’s now all systems go for the coming season with pre season planning under way and some very exciting announcements to be made in the coming months.

2009 was a wonderful season in the League of Ireland A Championship – roll on 2010.    

Jason Fitzgerald, Ray Houghton, Eoin Cassidy (Top Scorer), John Delaney

more photos click here