"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.