League of Ireland football has grown on me to a great extent in recent years – from reporting on games to taking in an away trip to the capital.
This is a new experience for me as I was brought up away from the league in my younger years.
Like many people, I followed my county in GAA, which is Wicklow. I specifically recall the ‘good ol’ days’ of Mick O’Dwyer guiding the Garden County to the last 12 in 2009 – a time when Wicklow football was the talk of the town.
However, going to follow my local League of Ireland club was not the norm – which at the time was a Bray Wanderers side who were playing in Ireland’s top-flight.
The only League of Ireland fixture I attended back in the day was Wexford Youths against Derry City. I recall a young James McClean was togged out in Ferrycarrig Park that night.
Over the past four years, my admiration for the league has grown through working with Galway United.
In those few years, I have noticed a gradual increase in younger supporters coming to Eamonn Deacy Park to follow the club. The matchday experience, from the atmosphere to the game itself, is well worth the entrance fee for an evening’s entertainment.
I attended the Connacht derby (Sligo Rovers v Galway United) in the Showgrounds earlier this season and the occasion demonstrated the passionate fanbases that exist in both outfits.
The League of Ireland clubs in Connacht must continue to compete against Dublin’s big hitters – it’s fantastic to have two teams from the West in the Premier Division. Hopefully this remains to be the case to keep the interest alive amongst the younger generation.
Having a senior Mayo side in the league would be beneficial in the years to come. It will not only be exciting for the county, but it will give the public a local club to support.
After giving the league a chance, it certainly has created lasting memories. Long may that continue.