Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers - Saturday 9th May

We are now taking names for our next away league fixture in Sligo on Saturday May 9th. The bus will depart from the quays outside Tara Street railway station at 2pm & travel directly to Sligo. We will also be returning to directly after the game. If interested in booking a seat please confirm ASAP via email or at 085-7604354.

Galway United v Shamrock Rovers - Friday 17th April

We are now taking names for our next away league fixture in Terryland Park, Galway on Friday 17th April. The bus will depart from outside Tara St. Railway Station at 2pm and travel directly to Eyre Square in Galway. We will be returning to Dublin directly after the game.

If interested in travelling please contact us ASAP to book your seat as we need to gauge demand before booking a suitably sized bus for the numbers expected to travel.

Please note that anyone on this mailing list who wishes to travel but has not yet joined the Hoops SC for the 2009 season that membership can be paid on the day.

I trust this is in order, however, should anyone have any comments or queries in relation to this or any other Hoops SC related matter please do not hesitate to contact us at hoops.sc@gmail.com or alternatively at 085-7604354.

Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers - Tuesday April 7th

We are now taking names for the league fixture away to Dundalk in Oriel Park on Tuesday 7th April. The bus will depart from Liberty Hall at 6pm and head directly to Dundalk. We will also return directly to Dublin after the game. If interested in travelling please contact us ASAP to confirm a seat.

Please Note: Tin hats are not included in the price. It is advisable to bring your own. KOH

Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers - Friday April 3rd

We are now taking names for the bus to our away fixture in United Park, Drogheda on Friday April 3rd. The bus will depart from outside Liberty Hall at 5.30pm and travel directly to Drogheda. We will also return directly to the city centre after the game. If interested in booking a seat please get back to us ASAP.

Were Back!

Hello Hello. Its good to be back! Membership for the 2009 season is now open. Membership for the year will be the same as last season at €15 for adults, €10 for u18's & €20 for families (2 adults + 2 children max).

Following feedback from a cross section of last years membership we have decided not to have an AGM and instead will carry on from last season. If however members would prefer to have an AGM please contact us ASAP and we will try to organise something at the earliest available opportunity. A financial breakdown/review for the 2008 season has been prepared and if any member from last season would like a copy please contact us to arrange for it to be forwarded directly.

We also have a limited number of Hoops SC pin badges available at €4 each, if interested in purchasing please contact us.

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!