Profiles and Opinions

Pen Pictures of the Ballymun Kickhams
Senior Football Squad...by Jim McCann

-- Updated May 1st 2002

Davy Byrne (Byrner) - His retirement from the
intercounty scene was premature to say the least.
Great to have around as he's a key motivator and a
great man for the training sessions. Top keeper in
the county.

Donal Hardiman (Sweetcheeks for Dublin) - The
captain of the u21s has developed into a super
keeper. We're lucky that we have 2 top keepers at
the club. Great concentration (concentrates
especially hard on the ladies

team).

Enda Dolan (Fozzy) - One of the most consistent
players we have. Im sure he's sick and tired of
hearing it but always referred to as the Denis Irwin
of the Team. Unlike Denis though he's still young
enough to go upstairs in the autobahn. (the stairs
are a bit of a struggle though in recent times)

Phil O'Dea (Rod/The peoples elbow) - Philo's
application to training and fitness is phenomenal
and an inspiration to the younger lads on the team.
We all look to Philo for guidance on and off the
park. Known recently for his forays up forward.

Joe Nolan (Nowller) - We all miss Joe when he's
not in the dressing room a one man walking noise.
Great anticipation, man marking abilities and
application are Joe's strong points. His versatility
being used this year with him up in the forwards.

John Paul Carroll (JP/Robocop) - One of many left
footers on the team JP is out in front with the ball
and uses his pace to great effect. Always can be
heard in training encouraging others. He's never off
duty.

Declan Kearns (Decky/Kearnser) - A real speed
demon. A few niggly injuries has disrupted Dec's
progress into a superb attacking half back but lately
(touch wood) he's been in literally flying form. A
quieter member of the

team.

Dermot McMahon (Macker) - A filthy dirty player
with modest skills.... only messing. Another who's
come through from the Juniors to great effect.
Settled in to senior very well. The weights that he's
doing are really showing now and soon will be able
to move up a clothes size. (to age 10-11)

Darren Ducie (Dukie) -Always working hard and
has high standards that are a step above most
senior footballers. A Roy Keane figure who has
won matches for us on his own. Not afraid of
getting the odd score too. Captain.

Aidan Whelan (Victim) - Despite being one of the
lighter lads on the team Aido gets stuck in all the
time. His speed and anticipation are fantastic.

Good news for defenders he's moved into half-
back. Bad news for forwards though.

Cathal McCarthy (Cal) - Injuries have held Cal up
this year but when we get his back fully fit we will
reap the rewards. Hard as nails in the tackle

and can break forward very well.

Brian King (Kinger) - Brian is mad. A strong mun-
man who reads the game to great effect. Holds the
middle exceptionally. Would go through a brick wall

for the cause. Couldn't however make it through the
table. Unfortunately injured at a crucial time this
year.

John Ryan (A horse of a man) - John's training has
been superb and it's shown in the outings we've
had so far this year. He's a big hitter and moves

the ball well.

Eoin Long (Kerry Nut) - A trademark of his play is
his attacking gallops up the pitch. Has shown
though in past matches that he is a capable man
marker. Shoots on sight.

David Martin (Pinocchio) - An excellent Fielder and
reader of the game. A strong voice in the dressing
room but does most of his talking on the pitch.

Tommy Carr can only ignore this mans overall
game for so long!

David Quinlivan (Daaaaavvvvvee) - An
experienced player who's fielding is strong. Always
tries to take the correct options. His free taking is
also an asset to the team. Another god voice to
have in the dressing room.

Ollie Clinton (Ollie) - Playing out of skin since
jumping up the grades. Fields well and works up
and down the pitch. Will always help his

team-mates out. Whether on the pitch or in
coppers.

Jim McCann (Twinkle Toes) - More positions than
the Kama Sutra, I play all positions at a consistent
level. (Poorly) Have a lot of years left to play

(touch wood) and have a great team to be learning
from. Playing at the back more this year.

Niall O'Donoghue (Noddy/The randy lep) - Didn't
get the chance he wanted at inter-county. Hopefully
will fulfil his ambitions by winning a County
championship with us. The quickest player I've ever
seen and strong on either foot.

Ian Robertson (Robbo) - Everyone up and down the
country knows that he is a gifted player but has
been very unlucky with injuries this and most years.

Back now from the wilderness hopefully to get the
rub of the green that the Dubs and the Mun need.

Tony Dunne (Dunner) - Tony's a strong centre
forward who scores off either foot. Holds up the ball
to great effect when we need to slow down a game

but has the ability to burst through and create the
openings for himself and others.

Jim McAuliffe (Jimbo) - Jim has been a great
addition to the club since last year. He has a great
shot on him and consistently scores in the matches

he's involved in. Also has the rare distinction of
being a Tipp footballer.

Stephen Cowap (Cowser) - Sad that this man was
robbed of a years football. Playing away now and
links great with the lads. His much feted engine has

his up and down the park non stop.

Eoin Richardson (Woodgate/Tool) - When he's
about you can see the form that had Lyons looking
at him at the start of the year. A natural scorer (only

on the pitch though). Deceptive speed. (Is actually
slower than he looks)

Stephen Condon (Condo) - Since becoming
domesticated he's been a revelation working for
the team and coming out of games with 5/6 points
each games most from play. Vital for our hopes this
season. Another voice of reason in the dressing
room.

Paddy Christie (The Christian, Christmas etc) - A
super clubman. Plays a very different role for the
mun than for the Dubs. Makes and takes scores

with ease.

Brian McDermott (The model player) - As snappy
off the pitch as he is on it. A very quick and
accurate forward who will play a big part for us this
year.

Shane O'Brien (Rava/Shano) - The old head is
much needed when we need some one to get on
the ball and get the scores. Free-taking is superb.

Seamus Walsh (Shamo) - Injured for the most part
of the year so far but will use his height and strength
to his advantage when he makes his comback.

Dermot Gillnane (Galway) - This under 21 star is a
true athlete and is sure to feature in Vals plans for
the coming year. A nippy wing player is as

comfortable going forward as he is defending.

The Management

Val Andrews - The Teacher (in with the love)

Gerry Hargan - All-Star

Michael Maher - Marrsey

Kevin Flanagan - Flanno

Dave Cambell - Davey

A PROFILE OF THE JUNIOR SQUAD

BY CATHAL ROCHE - Updated June 2002

BONNY, ALAN (Nickname: Bonnier) - A
young fit and skillful footballer from this years
U-21's,will surely start champo and
deservedly so. A versatile footballer better
suited to defense.

BARRY, SHANE (Nickname: Moan) - A
fearless warrior type player. Shane would not
be the biggest in stature but his heart is
immense. A regular player for years for
Ballymun and the dressing room wouldn't be
the same without him. Has knocked
competition aside every year to keep winning
his place and strives on the competition.

BERGIN, PAUL (Nickname: Bergo,
Bergkamp) - Paul is a prodigal son for this
team and after a brief career break is back
with a vengance and a welcome one at that.
A gem of a defender, big, strong needing a

touch up in the fitness department.

BREEN, DECLAN (Nickname: NaFianna
Boy) - Declan recently joined our club after
suddenly getting taste and leaving our
nearest rivals NaFianna. A fit and talented lad
who probably plays his best stuff up front. A
great asset.

BOLGER, TREVOR (Nickname: "Army Big

Boy") - Trevor has played for Ballymun now
for a long time. Has grown in stature over the
past year or two and maybe this year will be
his year to fulfill his full potential. We have yet
to see Trevors best this year but hopefuly
over the next few weeks he will come up
trumps.

CLANCY, KEVIN (Nickname: - Various -

"Mobile", "Mobileless", "Clangers" "HairOil"

etc) - A gifted left footed player who's dead
ballaccuracy can win games for us at any
level. Our first choice penalty taker and left
side free taker Kevin does a lot of unnoticed
work during a game and tirelessly runs and
runs covering more ground than a midfield
player.

DALY, KEVIN ( Nickname: "Lagan") - Kevin
is another new signing for Ballymun. He
transferred this year from Cork and his
beautiful Munster tone can now be heard in
the heart of Ballymun. His midfield prowess
can sometimes be awesome although he
needs to wok on his fitness level. Loves to go
back for a pint and a chat even though no-one
can understand a word he says.

DUNNE, GARY (Nickname: "Space Cadet") -

Gary is a sibling Junior player. Still young

wason the U21 championship Team last

year. Trying his best to break into the squad
atan early age. Training is a must for Gary
whenhe is on this planet !!!!!!!!!!

DUNPHY, PAUL (Nickname: Dunf) - One

of the ex senior footballers who is still fit
enoughto get out of bed and play every
Sunday morning. A real class act who plays
his best in full back.A great asset to the team
with his experience.

DONNELLY, EAMON (Nickname: Baldy) -

A fit and agile bloke who still trains very hard

and plays with 100% at all times. A great
voice and great talker on and off the pitch.
Another player with great experience to add
to the team.

DOLAN, NIALL (Nickname: "Nest") - A young

footballer trying to break into the team. An

important member of the squad and one of
the young guns who still go upstairs in the

Autobahn. Trains hard and plays hard, truly
one to look out for the future.

FALVEY, FRANK (Nickname: Franko) -
Frank is a quiet lad who trains hard and is fit
as a fiddle, a good wing back who defends
resolutely and also gets attacking at will when
allowed.

KILMARTIN, DECLAN (Nickname:

"Carslberg") - Declan has to be the most

improved player in the past year or two.

Declans constant determination to improve
his fitness and skill is a lesson a lot of more

experienced players should heed.

KAVANAGH. BARRY (Nickname: "Assault &

Vinegar") - Barry's broken leg has meant tha
he hasn't played at all in the champo last year
and was unlucky to recover in time to see any
action. He has been with us for many a
season and I'm sure will be for many more, a
great fielder of the ball

KELLY, COLM (Nickname: Kellogs, Captain
Kelly) - Colm is a welcome asset to the team
this year and the new captain too. Real
captain assets in great encourager, leads by
example on the training ground and on the
pitch. A stylish half back who is unselfish in
his play and workrate.

LAVIN, DAVID (Nickname: Davey) -

David is a new addition to the club and is

definitely a central player when he regains full

fitness. A country lad, so it's difficult to
understand him when he talks. A great asset
in attack, very skillful

LYNCH, JOHN (Nickname: Jack) - One of the

old school Jack was sick of being sub so he's
gone into managing the team. An out and out
forward who loves to punch a ball to the net!
No problem getting his place!!!!

LYNCH, PADRAIG (Nickname: Nelly) -

Padraig, brother of Jack, is fast becoming
one of the best half backs in the Junior
squad. Living down in Cork he has to
undergo the extra torment of training alone
but it seems to be working as he is one of the
fittest on the team.

McGREAL, MICK (Nickname: Micko, Keeps)
- The goalkeeper is one of the most important

positions there is on the pitch, and through
the loss of Cormac last year, Mick has
replaced him. A class act who has a huge
kickout and a great shot stopper, and great at
keeping his defence organised in front of
him. Quality.

O'DEA, JOHN (Nickname: Johno, Madser) -

John is another 100% player who trains hard
and is shining so far this year. Plenty of skill
and a trojan on the pitch. Been known to lose
the plot at times with his own team aswell as
the opposition. Needs to keep calm and he
will prosper.

O'Neill, CHRIS (Nickname: Paddys mate) -

Chris is a new addition to the team and has
plenty to offer. Looks sharp in the first few
games.

ROCHE, CATHAL (Nickame: Rochey) -

Cathal has trained hard this year and his
height and strenght make him a very strong
feature of the champo squad. a great team
motivator and his leadership skills help push
eveyone along.

STAUNTON, GERRY (Nickname: Sick note) -

Gerry has been one of the hardest trainers
this year and has proved his worth throuhout
the season. Wont have to battle with other

members of the squad for a place as he's a
manager now!!!

YOUNG, ALAN (Nickname: Lazy) - Alan,
despite his nickname has come on leaps and
bounds in the past few months. Barely
missing training and pushing himself into the
champo team Alan has proved that his skill
and eye for the target are worth us constantly
harassing him.

PLUNKETT, KEITH (Nickname: KP Nuts) -
Keith has had a bad year with injuries and

is struggling finding is fitness and form this

season. Started training late and is currently

waiting for his big break into the the champo

team.

ANTO O'SULLIVAN (Nickname: Sully) -

Anto is another of the 21's panel this year

an improving player all the time. A big lad
who can pick off scores with those lethal feet
of his. Needs more training as fitness can be
a factor for this lad.

THE MANAGEMENT:

Jack Lynch (as above)

Gerry Staunton (as above)

DUNNE, PAUL (Nickname: "Worzel") -

Many people may gasp when they hear that
Paul has retired from playing. Has been the
most consistent of all the Junior players last
year. Fast, strong and determined are the
words which best descibe Paul. His forray
into management will bring a great big well of

experience and a strong voice.

SEAN ANDREWS (Nickname: Seanny,
Chairman) - Sean, is a great voice on the line
and a great encourager to all the players. A
good reader of the game and somebody
who can change a game from the line, if you
were expecting me to slag him, forget it,

he serves me drink and that's the way I like it.