We received a fabulous response to programme two in the latest MNS series. Ironically, the item that drew the biggest amount of comment was Alan Cawley's wonderful version of 'Sweet Caroline'.
It would seem that the majority of our viewers love Karaoke King.
Of course, it's a little bit of nonsense, but if it gets people talking about the players or the programme , who wouldn't normally look twice at a League of Ireland show, then it's job done. Alan Cawley certainly made an impression on Sinead from Ice and the afternoon show's Bláithnaid Ní Chofaigh. And no Bláithnaid, you're not too old to fancy a footballer!
One manager (who shall, for the time being, remain nameless) has banned his players from participating in Karaoke King, but if there was one thing to take from Alan Cawley's effort this week, apart from the fact that he's a dodgy singer, is the fact that it demonstrates the great atmosphere amongst squads.
It was great to see the rest of the Pat's panel cheering him on, and joining in the chorus. They talk about dressing room banter, and this was a perfect example of the sort of laughs a squad can have together.
Did it harm St Patrick's Athletic? I would suggest not at all. In fact quite the reverse, and if it makes Alan Cawley a little more recognisable to the punters coming through the turnstiles at St Pat's matches, all the better.
Roddy Collins' description of Bohemians as unentertaining albeit effective, will probably raise the hackles at Dalymount, although there were emails of support for his opinion, as well as some less complimentary ones about him too.
It certainly kick-started an interesting debate in studio, and again I would stress that we are trying to reach not only the hardcore League of Ireland fans on the show, but also those with a passing interest in the league and if the chat in studio is stirring, then we have a chance of pricking somebody's interest who also has the option of watching West Ham draw 0-0 with West Brom on a rival station.
We need people to watch the show and take an interest in the domestic game, and week two of the campaign raised many interesting talking points.
Sold Out.
How good does that sound, when used in relation to a League of Ireland match? Yes, Shamrock Rovers' new Tallaght Stadium only holds just under four thousand souls at the moment until the second stand is completed in a few months time.
Even so, the fact that the newspaper, Radio, TV and online sports bulletins were all reporting that the game was a sell-out in the build-up to Shamrock Rovers' first game at their new home, has a very positive ring to it, in terms of marketing the league.
The rain and wind that arrived just before the start of the game did absolutely nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the long suffering Hoops faithful, savoured the occasion after 22 long years, of raised hopes, deflating setbacks, and what seemed like never ending problems before getting the green light for Tallaght.
As Charlie O'Connor TD said before the game, the arrival of Shamrock Rovers to Tallaght will provide many benefits to the local community (Just ask the bar manager in the Maldron Hotel across the road from the ground! The joint was hopping hours before kick-off on Friday).
Apart from that, a number of local school goers are receiving grants from the club to help with their education, Rovers are also providing coaching to local students, and a number of part-time jobs are being created with the new stadium and very impressive club shop at the ground.
At a time when doom and gloom seem to be the prevalent mood everywhere, it's great to have some good news and happy to faces to report on.
It was brilliant to be in the stand as the teams came out before kick-off.
I've no doubt that the Dublin derby match between Bohs and Rovers at Dalymount on Friday night will also draw a big crowd, despite the fact that it's live on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie. It will be very interesting to see how Michael O'Neill's charges fare against the champions, and one way or another it should be a fantastic night's entertainment for all who go along.
Incidentally, I was struck by how many young boys and girls were in attendance at Tallaght last weekend. It's a very good sign to see so many kids decked out in their club colours going to the games.
It reminded me of the days when my dad used to bring me and my late brother Ciaran, in the scarves knitted by our grandmother, to the games at Milltown all those years ago. Those memories stay with you forever and that was one of the reasons why I had to wear my 37-year-old scarf to Tallaght last Friday night.
It mightn't be as fancy as some of the newly printed scarves that had the date and last Friday's fixture printed on them, but for me it was a link to those great days in the past, and when I look at the kids at the games each week now, I hope they have similarly fond memories of following their local team as I have from my childhood.
Before last Friday's game I chatted with John Delaney about going to matches with our dads when we were younger and how important sport is in helping to build a father-son/daughter relationship down through the years, and we both reminisced about matches we'd attended as youngsters, and tears that had been spilled after another, what seemed at the time, tragic defeat, to an 11-year-old.
Now years later, tears were again being spilled in Tallaght, as those who remembered the 22-year struggle to find a home, thought of others who had passed away in the intervening years, or some who just found the emotion of the occasion got to them. It was a good night for the Hoops and a good night for the league.
I hope you'll forgive the Shamrock Rovers bias in this piece. It's not too often your club gets to play in a new ground after 22 years! I promise I'll be more balanced in future blogs.
Thanks for your emails and photos, don't forget we'd like to get some videos from you as well, if you have anything that you think might be of interest to us, whether recorded on your phone or camera.....the quality doesn't have to be professional, and if it gives us a laugh, or if it shows us a fan's eye view of a goal or a tackle or a penalty or anything sort of footy related, email it in to us. We'd love to see it.
Whatever match you're going to this weekend, enjoy. If you haven't been to a game of late, I'd say, try it. You might like it.
