It's very hard to beat getting out in the fresh air, and supporting your local team. The team that represents what you are and where you come from.
Last season may have been a bumpy journey for all involved with the League of Ireland, and for all of our sakes, I hope season 2009 proves to be a smoother ride, and if the very early signs are anything to go by, things could be looking up.
The town of Dundalk has been hit hard by the current financial mess we're in, and I was struck very clearly as I drove through the town centre on Friday, by the number of closed shops, and business premises for sale. Despite that, there was no doubting the buzz and sense of optimism that surrounded Oriel Park and Dundalk Football Club last Friday night.
They were back in the big league, where a club of their history and standing should be, and they competed on a level footing with the defending champions.
Manager Sean Connor said in his programme notes that the club's goal for this season will be survival in the Premier Division, and on the evidence of what I saw on Friday, I think that goal will be achieved by the Louthmen. Connor has bought shrewdly in the close season, and experienced pros like Liam Burns, Thomas Heary and George O'Callaghan will prove to be hugely important to Dundalk.
It would be great to think that the fans who turned up in such numbers at Oriel last weekend will continue to do so as the season progresses. They created a great atmosphere in the ground, and hopefully that came across on the TV screens for those watching the live coverage on RTÉ Two and on RTÉ.ie.
However, once again a big contingent of the home support were on the terraces below where the main cameras were, and remained unseen by the TV viewer. In fairness the visiting Bohs fans also contributed to the noisy and colourful atmosphere in the ground.
I said at the end of the broadcast that the match hadn't been a classic but it was great to be back watching live football again, and I really meant that. I felt the same surge of excitement going to the game that I'm sure supporters of all clubs feel at the start of a new campaign.
The newly revamped League of Ireland website www.loi.ie uses the slogan 'real football, real fans' and it's an appropriate motto. It's very hard to beat getting out in the fresh air, and supporting your local team. The team that represents what you are and where you come from.
Appropriately enough, the Dundalk shirt sponsorship comes from the local chamber of commerce, whose initiative to 'shopdundalk,' encourages locals to shop locally instead of taking their business elsewhere, and it's a motif that could be carried through to the football community too. Support Dundalk, instead of supporting a British club.
Dundalk FC were very accommodating to our broadcast on Friday, extending the television gantry to allow for our presentation to take place from there, to bringing us a kettle and very nice Dundalk FC mugs for our half-time cuppa.
There were one or two minor issues I'd still be concerned about. One example was the fact that the wall behind the goal hadn't been repainted before the season started, so when a player went to take a corner at that end of the ground, the TV viewer sees a white wall with paint chipping away, and a broken advertising hoarding that looked shabby.
Image matters, and a quick coat of paint, and a smartening up of all old advertising hoardings should be a priority as the season kicks off.
The MNS studio also got a minor revamp, with a new couch for us to sit on. The old couch may feature in future programmes however, and it was interesting to note that Mark Little and Anna Nolan were putting it to good use while they were taking a break from their busy schedules.
It was nice to welcome Johnny McDonnell to the programme for the first time this week, and it occured to me that both he and Damien Richardson would make good candidates to present 'Off the Rails' if the producers were looking for a new presentation combo.
When the lads arrived in studio, a long debate took place over whether Damien's jumper was mint or green, and questions were equally raised over whether Johnny Mac's geansai was purple, lilac or lavender. These are the sort of pressing matters that come up for discussion when the lads settle into position on the couch.
We've a few new features on the programme this season. Hopefully with Thunderstrike we'll be able to find out who has the fastest/hardest shot in the League of Ireland. We have one or two extra features which will be rolled out over the next couple of weeks and I think you'll really enjoy them.
I had one slightly wobbly moment (only one I hear you say!), when I was going through the results from the First Division. They changed the page before I had finished with the scores, and so you'll hear me saying: '..and Kidare drew one all with...at the top..'
A momentary lapse as I couldn't remember that it was Finn Harps. The lads on the couch enjoy my discomfort in that situation. Not the end of the world but apologies to Harps supporters - they won't be forgotten for the rest of the season.
I enjoyed Tony O'Donoghue's behind the scenes report from Oriel Park on Friday night. I think one thing that makes a feature like that is the little peeks at what goes on behind closed doors. Getting access to the dressing room gives us really great shots, and thanks are due to Sean Connor for allowing the MNS camera such access.
So it's onwards and upwards for the MNS team this season. Keep watching; tell your friends about the show, and hopefully we'll all be enthralled by a great 2009 season.
