With the B Team clinching the First Division for the second consecutive year, we’ve decided to give you a sneak peek into the inner workings of the team and what it is that got them two titles in a row while also clinching the First Division League Cup this year.
This is a timeline of the B Team’s year told through their own words, starting with the mastermind behind all the success, Johnny Ryan himself.
“Never let anyone treat you like a yellow starburst, you are a red starburst.” – Johnny Ryan addressing Niall Quinn in pre-season training to try and boost his morale for the coming year.
“Someone ring Big Bites to come and collect me.” – Brendan Harkin five minutes into the opening pre-season session all the way back in July.
“Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss” – The whole B Team squad upon realising that the season’s first game against Connolly Celtic had been cancelled, coinciding with the final night of the Fleadh in Ennis
“Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo” – The whole B Team drinking cans on the streets of Ennis upon hearing that the above match had been re-fixed for the night after.
“Maybe he is a yellow starburst.”- Johnny Ryan seeing Quinno beaten from 40 yards in the opening League game.
“Crusher has been lighting up my phone all day, says I’m the best striker in the village.” – Conor McCarthy after scoring four goals in the second league game of the season against Kildysart Celtic.
“Come on then, you ugly f*&#er.” – Goalkeeper Marty Whelan addresses a member of the Mountshannon Celtic team after a collision between the two which left Whelan with a couple of broken ribs. He hasn’t been seen since.
“I'm gonna make a change, for once in my life, it's gonna feel real good, gonna make a difference, gonna make it right…..I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to make a change, and no message could have been any clearer.” – Manager Mark O’Malley silently to himself in his car after seeing his side fall to successive League defeats to Ennis Town and Avenue United B.
“You'll do nothing! You'll do f**kin' nothing! Not one of you will do nothing!” – Kieran Ryan, after a couple of diet 7ups, addressing the rest of the First Division the evening the B team clinched the First Division League Cup.
“Brendan Harkin.” – Catherine O’Flanagan when approached for comment on who she thought the best ginger centre half on the B Team was during their game with Turnpike Rovers in which some other ginger guy scored a last minute winner.
“Still though..” – Seamus Considine when asked for comment on Newmarket winning games without playing particularly well.
“The gloriously named N’Golo Monty…” – Sportsjoe.ie article, which also compares him to Ronaldinho, on the piece of ridiculous skill produced by Monty Mulqueen in the 5-1 defeat of Connolly Celtic.
“Fair hungover this morning.” – Alan Moynihan during every single warm-up this season.
“He’s due a miss isn’t he?” – Ryan Corry to Kieran Ryan as Monty Mulqueen began his run up to hit the 82nd minute penalty against Coole FC. He’s still due a miss.
“Throw on Hartnett there so we have a scapegoat if this goes tits up.” - Mark O’Malley to Darren Hayes and the Ryans midway through the second half of the final game of the season against Lifford.
“When I was young, I had some sense, I bought a flute for 50 pence, the only tune that I did know was We won the double and two in a row, do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do.” – Paudie Paudie Hayes (so good they named him twice) having to reinvent the classic tune once more for another piece of silverware.