Kavos A Hoop!

After a day on the Brains watching The Bluebirds in Cardiff, what better way to end the day than having a beer and a natter about Roddy, Keano and other such matters with Graham Kavanagh.

"The View" From The Back

So there it is. The end of another season. The end of an era. The end of the homeless years. While the season started with a certain sense of optimism, buoyed by an excellent opening day win away to defending champions Drogheda, it just always felt like the longest Christmas Eve ever. Having said that though, Christmas Eve is always one of the finer sessions.

As I said, everything started so well when after just 3 minutes Alan Murphy's volley somehow found its way into the Drogs top right corner. This was followed up by our next trip on the road with an impressive win in Galway. The residents of Galway showed their usually hospitality and were paid in return with us taking the 3 points and plastering their town with stickers.

Things started to go wrong on a miserable night in Cobh when a limp Rovers performance saw us beaten two nil. After that, crowds started to dip at home but the Hoops SC and our away support in general remained solid and was its usual vocal self despite having very little to celebrate while on the road.

It wasnt all doom and gloom though. The misery of a bad string of results was soon wiped away when Sean O'Connor swept home a late equaliser on a Tuesday night in Cork sending the Rovers traveling support into raptures. This was only eclipsed by Tadgh Purcell scoring to give us a rare win against Derry in the Brandywell.

After that, our season spiralled downwards as our Premier Division safety seemed assured and progress continued on construction of our new home in Tallaght. Another defeat in Cobh, quickly followed by losses in Sligo and a last day defeat at Finn Harps ensured a bad end to the season on the pitch. A number of us had already retired to the bar before the whistle for the end of the first half had blown.

So there you have it. What I can remember of the season from my numerous drunken hazes. The memories from the pubs and buses stick out more than what happened on the pitch. Forkys rants, the tiffs, the spillages, the songs and the laughter. Thanks to everyone for making such a nothing season so memorable. Hopefully next season will give us more to celebrate.

P.S. Sorry for being so lazy in updating the blog. I promise more next year. Honest Guv!

Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers - Saturday November 1st

We are now taking names for the away game in Sligo on Saturday November 1st. The bus will depart from outside Tara Street Station at 1.30pm and travel directly to Sligo. We will also be returning to Dublin directly after the game. If interested in travelling please contact us to confirm a seat as soon as possible.

There are still a small amount of spaces left for the overnight trip to Ballybofey for the final league game of the season versus Finn Harps, This trip includes the bus up, Bed & breakfast accomodation in the Vila Rosa hotel & return bus to Dublin the following day. If interested please get back to us ASAP.

Finn Harps v Shamrock Rovers - Friday November 14th

We are in the process of arranging our overnight stay in Ballybofey for the final game of the season on Friday Nov 14th. Having recently been in contact with the Hotel we can confirm that we have 29 bed spaces available. To date we have 19 names confirmed meaning there are only 10 spaces left. On that basis if any member is interested in booking a place please contact us to confirm ASAP.

The price for adults will be €80, this includes bus to Ballybofey, bed & breakfast in the Villa Rosa Hotel & the bus back to Dublin the following day.The price for children (u16) will be €50. Any member who has arranged their own accomodation can still travel on the bus only which will be €20. For non members wishing to travel on the bus only the price will be €40. Hotel places will only be made available to Non Hoops SC members in the event of members not filling the alocation.

Prior to confirming a place on this trip please note that cancellations will incur a penalty of €20, if not paid within a timeframe to be set by the Committee of the Hoops SC then the person will be barred from the Hoops SC for the 2009 season. If any member has any comments or queries in relation to this or any other Hoops SC related matter please do not hesitate to contact any member of the committe to discuss or alternatively just email us at our email address.

Cobh Ramblers v Shamrock Rovers - Saturday October 4th

We are now taking names for the away trip to Cobh next Saturday Oct 4th. The bus will depart from outside Tara Street Railway station at 2pm and travel directly to Cobh, we will also be returning to Dublin directly after the game. If interested in booking a seat please contact us ASAP.

Galway United v Shamrock Rovers - Friday September 19th

We are back on the road after a bit of a break from the league and next up on our travels is Galway United in Terryland Park on Friday 19th September. The bus will depart at 1.30pm from outside Tara Street Railway Station and travel directly to Galway where we hope to enjoy refreshment before the game. We will be returning to Dublin directly straight after the game. If interested in travelling please contact us as soon as possible to confirm your seat.

Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers - Friday August 22nd

We are now taking names for the bus to Drogheda for the league fixture in United Park on Friday August 22nd. The bus will depart from outside Liberty Hall at 5.30pm and travel directly to Drogheda. We will be returning to Dublin straight after the game.

Derry City v Shamrock Rovers - Friday August 1st

Hoopers,
After a bit of a break from travelling up & down the country watching the Superhoops we are back on the road for a league fixture away to Derry City on August 1st. The bus will depart from Liberty Hall at 1.30pm and travel to Derry with a stop in Emyvale en route. We will however be returning to Dublin directly after the game unless clearly stated on the day by the Hoops SC representatives (ie Dave, Karl or Robbie). If interested in booking a seat for this trip please contact us ASAP in order for us to gauge numbers, alternatively you can ring Dave on the Hoops Sc phone 085-7604354.

Cork City v Shamrock Rovers - Tuesday May 27th

We are now taking names for the midweek trip to Cork for the league fixture in Turners Cross on Tuesday May 27th. If interested in travelling can you please confirm with us ASAP.
We will depart from Tara Street at 2pm & travel directly to Cork. We will also be returning to Dublin straight after the game.

Bus to Finn Harps - Cancelled

Just a quick mail to regrettably let you know that the bus to the league fixture this Friday May 16th has been cancelled due to a lack of interest. We apologise to the few people who had their names down but with such few names we are forced to cancel for financial reasons. Had the bus travelled, based on the numbers we had confirmed, we would have risked the future running of buses to away games later in the season. This is a risk we felt was not in the best interests of the Hoops SC so we have been forced to cancel.

Once again Up the Bluebirds and apologies to those affected.

Finn Harps v Shamrock Rovers - Friday May 16th

We are now taking names for the overnight trip to Ballybofey for the league fixture versus Finn Harps on Friday May 16th. The bus will depart from Liberty Hall at 2pm and travel directly to the Villa Rosa Hotel in Ballybofey, the ground is a short walk from the hotel and the game is scheduled to KO @ 8pm. Upon arrival at the hotel hoops sc representatives will organise checking in of the party & distribute keys for individual rooms. Check out is 12pm the next day and breakfast is provided.

The cost per person (Return Bus & Overnight accomodation) is €100 and €50 for Under 18's. Places for this trip are limited so if interested please confirm back to us ASAP to avoid disappointment

Recently Joined Members

Would any paid up member who has not recieved their 2008 Membership card please make contact with Dave at the Derry game this Friday May 9th. Most cards have been printed & should be available for collection, if not the remainder can be issued on the bus to Ballybofey or at the subequent home game.

Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers - Saturday May 3rd

We are now taking names for the next away game versus Sligo Rovers in the Showgrounds on Saturday May 3rd (Bank Holiday weekend). The bus will depart from outside Tara Street Railway Station at 2pm & travel directly to Sligo. We will also be returning to Dublin straight after the game. If you are interested in travelling please confirm via email, hoops sc mobile at 085-7604354 or mention it to either Dave, Karl or Robbie at the game versus St Pats this Sunday.

Cobh Ramblers v Shamrock Rovers - Saturday April 12th

We are now taking names for the next away League Fixture versus Cobh Ramblers on Saturday April 12th. The bus will depart from outside Tara Street Railway Station at 12 noon and will head straight to Cobh, we will also be returning to Dublin directly after the game. If anyone is interested in booking a seat for this game please contact us ASAP.

Galway United v Shamrock Rovers - Saturday March 29

We are now taking names for the bus to our next away league fixture in Terryland Park versus Galway United on Saturday week (29th March). The bus will depart from outside Tara Street railway station at 1pm and travel directly to Eyre Square, Galway. The bus will also return to Dublin directly after the game. If anyone is interested in travelling please confirm back to us at hoops.sc@gmail.com or at 085-7604354 asap. In future can anyone interested in booking via telephone please ring this number and not the private numbers of the commitee members, thank you.

New Members

Could any new members who joined on the Drogheda trip please contact Dave with your contact number and email at hoops.sc@gmail.com or at 085-7604354.

Drogheda 0 Shamrock Rovers 1

GEAR

Drogheda Utd v Shamrock Rovers Saturday 8/3/08

Finally football is back and the Hoops SC is on the road again to see the Hoops take on Drogheda in United Park.

As you are most likely aware this saturdays league opener away to Drogheda United is an all ticket fixture. Tickets went on sale to SRFC Club members after the AGM on saturday and the remainder are expected to sell out from the club shop today or tomorrow. If anyone who has previously booked a seat & has been unable to obtain a ticket wishes to cancel their seat reservation please contact us ASAP to confirm.

Please note that the Hoops SC will NOT be selling tickets for this game on the bus and that should you travel without a match ticket we cannot be held responsible for your admission into the ground on the day and that you tarvel at your own risk in relation to admission.

The bus will depart from Liberty Hall at 2pm and travel directly to the ground, it will also be returning to Dublin striaght after the game. Anyone travelling on this bus wishing to pay their 2008 Hoops SC membership can do so, however we will not be able to issue membership cards on the day.

A Bottle of Two Halves (Title c/o TBC)

Where do you start? Tara Street Dart Station where most of these stories begin is probably a good point. After some tardiness,frenzied phonecalls and multiple pick-ups , we were on our way. The first Prazskys of the season where not too long away.


The first time doing anything always involves minor hiccups and this trip was no exception. Some missed turns, a dwindiling alcohol supply and general bad directional sense insured raised tensions. But after a trip down a darkened country road, the floodlights came into sight and our final destination was but moments away. Surely nothing else could go wrong????

Then the predictable "Oh God it's Rovers" factor kicked in and we were ushered from pillar to post with all hope of a gargle seemingly lost. But night is darkest just before the dawn and dawn appeared in the form of a silver streak upon a pink horizon. Next thing we know, we are in a luxurious clubhouse ordering the finest wines Italy and Wexford have to offer. Finally were home. Full of vino and safe from the elements with the linesmans Miss's for company.



The game was instantly forgetable. The hospitality shown by the people at Wexford Youths will live long in the memory. The trip home was as colourful as usual. To quote one of our guests "A great bus. There's no rows and no one robs your gargle". Thanks to Mick Wallace and everyone who looked after us in Wexford.

Wexford Youths v Shamrock Rovers Friday 29/02/08

As part of our continuing mission to boldly go where no Hoops have gone before, the Hoops SC are running a bus for our first encounter in the Sunny South East. As well as it being our first time playing Wexford Youths, it is also our first chance to check the fine fair Wexfords barkeeps have to offer. Particular ìnterest has been shown in Mick Wallace's vino cáve. So get your Adidas on for the first awayday of the season.

The bus will leave at 4pm from outside Tara St Railway Station. Please contact Dave at
hoops.sc@gmail.com or at 085–7604354. There are a limited number of seats left available.

2008 AGM

We will be having our AGM at 8pm on Tuesday 26th February downstairs in Toners of Baggot Street. All members from last season and anyone interested in joining for the 2008 season are welcome.

Membership - Season 2008

Membership for the coming season is currently open. The fees as per last season are
€15 adult,
€10 u-18 & OAP
€30 Family (2 x adult + 2 x u-18).

Some Old Pictures

Some photos from the old site courtesy of Northside Hoop.

Player Sponsorship

The Hoops SC are proud to announce that we will sponsoring two players for the upcoming 2008 season. We will be sponsoring Ger O'Brien for the third season in succession and also new signing Stephen Rice. We wish both players along with Pat and the rest of the squad all the best for the season.

Once Upon A Beginning

Hello and welcome to the home of the Hoops SC. Shamrock Rovers oldest, most traveled and drunkest supporters club. The main point of this blog is to provide information to members on travel arrangement for our awayday jaunts to see our beloved Hoops . I hope to also add a few photos and maybe the odd Prazsky fuelled rant at 3 in the morning after getting back from Derry with a splitting headache. Enjoy