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THE JUNIOR BLUES 2013 REVIEW
The excitement was building for weeks before. Kids and adults alike found it hard to sleep on the Thursday night. Z Cars phone alarms were ringing all over the country at different times, from Derry to Limerick and Galway to Dublin, not forgetting Kildare, Wexford, Kilkenny, Meath, West Meath, Louth, Wicklow and Tipp. A crisp bright morning greeted us at Dublin Port where old friends were reunited and new friendships just starting to bud. |
Another first for Junior Blues with two coaches full of Irish Toffees from the age of 3 right up to… well, I’m not sure, what age are you, Tom??? ;)
Both luggage compartments were stuffed full of bags and cases containing more Toffee clobber than the store room at Everton 1. There was still plenty of room for a few boxes with top secret contents, kindly transported by Gerry and Jimmy (nice one lads!) All juniors received a personalised goodie bag, containing sweets, drink, bar, quiz, colouring sheets and tattoos. |
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Robert Burke was already in line for a prize, and we weren’t on the ship yet because he kept us waiting again this year ;) We all headed to the front of the ship, deck 9, where tongues were hanging out for brekkie vouchers. Kids were busy colouring, filling in quizzes and getting to know each other while parents were all looking at each other, hoping someone would go to the bar and get a beer so they wouldn’t be the first.
We were lucky that none of the smaller ones didn’t blow overboard as we attempted to get a Junior Blues pic out on deck. We could have done with Duncan onboard to fix people’s hair after the sea breezes had had their way. We had to push and shove our way back to our seats, past another sea, not a blue watery one this time but a smelly red manc one. We were out numbered 20 to 1 onboard so at least they would have had a chance if it all kicked off. Thankfully they showed us the respect we deserve and we didn’t have to make an example of anyone.
The boat trip passed quickly and it was back to the coaches to start the Welsh leg of our journey. Alan and Andrew Moran handled security and passport control on the big bus while the Kearney brothers, Ronnie and Reggie, made sure nobody stepped out of line on the other bus. We made our way, passed many mountains and valleys, lots of sheep and even more signs with too many Ls and Ws on them. Paul, our driver, called for a song and I was happy to oblige…. “Everton, oh we love our Everton….” had a few surprises, like “we love our Buzz Lightyear” and “we love our SpongeBob Squarepants.” We also found out that “When Posh Spice kisses Beckham, she thinks of Davy Moyes…”
A short stop to drain the spuds and gather supplies broke the journey and soon after we arrived at training. All kids looked the part and I’m surprised a Gavagan or 3 were not signed up on a long term contract straight away.
There were a few people missing from training (some preferred shopping!!) Well done to Paula Murtagh, the first winner of an Irish Toffees shopping bag.
After training we made our way to the hotel, where check-in was a dream for those first in and a nightmare for those last off the buses. After checking in there was an Irish Toffees invasion of local Chinese buffets, Burger Kings and Micky D’s .The food and friendly service at our favourite Italian was spot on as always and a few bottles of Peroni were the reason many of us were not shooting straight at the bowling.
Our Tom was kingpin at the bowling; he made sure we all got shoes to fit and a suitable ball to throw, Thanks Tom. A few large jugs were spotted in many lanes, some filled with beer others with cocktails and the Galway gang showed me how to bowl. Jamsey Doherty won the top striker prize. A reliable source informed me that he had been in regular training at Derry Bowlerama, with the rails up. Good man Jamsey, hope they have the rails up on April 6th.
On return to the hotel after bowling the buses got locked up till Sunday while a large group of us just got locked!! As some heads started to drop and many went off to bed the battle for the last man standing heated up. There could only be one winner :-) . Saturday morning had well and trulybegun with a bang and many had yet to go to bed. Also the idea of a senior blues trip was born.
A proper bo brekkie buffet was the prize for those up and dressed before 10. With some guests (not from our party) only managing to get up, arriving down in the scaldyest pair of p.j.s you have NEVER seen. Face painting commenced on the first floor. We had Kev’s tattoo parlour, Margret and Áine’s make up salon and Billy’s blue rinse bar. His style on the day would give Duncan Kenna’s top blue rinser a run for their money. Billy’s head will be on the cover of Liverpool’s Rogue magazine for April. But someone was missing ….. Geraldine’s blue nail bar was closed. It was later found out that Ger and her sister Maureen had shopped so hard and bought so much they needed to wait on a 7 seater taxi. Hence the winner of the 2nd Irish Toffees shopping bag was confirmed. Well done Ger!
Between 12 and 1 most people headed to the field of dreams, our beloved Goodison Park. Plenty of shopping was done, a few pints were sunk and we speculated over the team. Alan Clayton and his posse hung our giant Irish Toffees flag up, thanks guys. Many went for a cheese and onion pie instead of a foot long horse dog. We all took our seats for what was for some their very first trip to see Everton. For these kids we not only needed to win but also to keep them warm, fed and distracted. What a joy it was to hear them screaming "come on Everton". Local fans enjoyed their chanting also. All this, along with military precision toilet breaks, so the best goal of the game wasn’t missed, Ronan!!
The match itself was a must win or the already slim chance of 4th spot was gone. Two minutes in and Jags goes down under a horror tackle. Le Fondre, you punk! If the ref that sent Nani off v Madrid was officiating, Le Fondre would have got a 3 match ban. Jon Heitinga came on. Now we have Buzz Lightyear and Dutch disaster at centre half and a keeper who hasn’t played a first team game since before some of our junior blues were born. There are more clean sheets in the incontinence ward at Tallaght hospital than at Goodison Park. The signs weren’t good. Then that Le Fondre punk hits the woodwork with a volley. Jelly missed a great chance to score before the pride of Donegal sent in a mustard cutting cross and our big haired Belgian made the onion bag bulge. Unbridled Joy!!!!
Moyes must have torn into them at half time, wish he’d done it before the match.
Much improved 2nd half with our small haired South African (switched to the right wing) jinking inside 2 players and smashing a beauty past Stu Taylor. Then the new Super Kev gave the keeper the eyes one side and slotted the ball in the other. Game over. Credit to the Royals who didn’t fold and scored a goal of their own. Maybe Crap Trap will recall Harty? We played well enough for 50 mins verses a poor side. JUNIOR BLUES NEVER LOSE! After the match some of us joined the mob trying to get a picture or signature from one of our heroes as they got into their lavish cars. Heitinga’s jeep is like a tank!!
A taxi ride later and we were back at the hotel still elated from our win and weekend so far. Some were singing, others skipping, a few strutted while the talented ones did all 3.
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Our evening activities were in a private 1st floor area. Perfect for our needs as a club, with all mod cons. We didn’t let the lack of draught make us bitter and the cost of wine and beer couldn’t drown our cheer. The rooms were decorated Irish Toffee style with flags, banners and jerseys all around. Owen kicked off the FIFA competition and realised what he had let himself in for. Kids dinners followed but who was the clown in the red? No, not Keith the brave Liverpoo fan, it was Dozy Dave. His balloon motor cycles and Barney the dinosaur style had the smaller kids dancing (hats off to Ryan o Neil a.k.a. Disco Stu, what a groover!), the older kids gobsmacked and the adults free to enjoy a delectable buffet. Pork pies to paninis and samosas to sambos it was all tasty but not all eaten. With some custard fruit pies for dessert, but watch out for the chilli sauce, Kevin!
The FIFA competition group stages were not finished yet and a curious 4 all draw between 2 Italian kids left a sour taste in the mouth and means Owen Kearney will have to return to Liverpool’s high court for his involvement in match fixing allegations.
Next our quiz master took to the floor with 20 questions ranging from guessable to nearly impossible. 9 or 10 teams battled it out in a close run competition. Jimmy, Frank and Craig were overall winners with Captain Connelly lifting the prize. Well done lads. Preki would be proud.
After a very coldly contested junior quiz the Doherty boys were joint winners. Caoimhin and Tiarnan have been taughtwell by Jamsey, Fred and Wilma. We had a reverse nightclub policy on the door of the 1st floor. You could come in all right but juniors couldn’t get out. Many thanks to Bernie, Áine and Jimmy and all other bouncers on the night.
As our night drew to a close (for the kids anyway) the two mystery boxes were opened to reveal a present for every junior. Every kid burst a balloon to discover a piece of paper with a number on it inside. The number corresponded to a prize. We had every Everton gift imaginable, hats, furry dice, watches, etc, etc right up to the star prize of a signed and framed Jersey. Well done Ben Power he looked a little worried as everybody else got something before him) Thanks to Mavis and Norris (a.k.a. Declan and T.J.)for their help with the signed jersey. Now, a huge shout has to go out to Kevin, Danielle, Darragh and Tirna for their time and kitchen space. I wondered why Danielle was so interested in peeping through the hatch at the Italian restaurant. She said she hadn’t seen a clear kitchen floor for nearly a month.
The FIFA competition winner was Robert Byrne. Nice one Robert, the best boy won on the night. Billy (blue rinse) O‘Donnell lifted the hollow legs trophy; one leg was full of sausages and the other pina colada. Well done to both legs. Tirna Maher managed to stay inside the lines and got 1stplace in the colouring contest. Liz Duffy won the 3rd Irish Toffees shopping bag as she was spotted in the pound shop while the match was on. That just left Robert Burke who kept hold of his always late title without breaking into a sweat.
The hard core elite made it back to the bar to polish off any bottled beer that was left in the fridge. Billy blue rinse had to head out to the 24 hour Tesco to get more pineapple juice and Reggie (Feidhlim) Kearney was up way past his bedtime watching the locals through the hotel bar windowas they turned from Jeckle to Snyde. Have you managed to close your mouth yet, Feidhlim?
Sunday morning’s brekkie was just as tasty as Saturday’s and extra coffee was ordered all round. Check out seemed to go a lot smoother than check in, maybe they wanted us out before they restocked the fridges. The floor in the lobbywas beginning to look like Kevin and Danielle’s kitchen with all the bags starting to mount up.
We made our way back to the buses where Paul and Jonathan greeted us with a smile. (Was that a smile Paul?). A big shout has to go out to our drivers for giving up their time for free!! Without them these trips would not happen, I hope people showed their appreciation in the whip round.Thanks so much, guys. There were a few songs on the big bus and Tom, Owen and Ger had a limbo competition on the small bus or so I was told. Maureen owes us a song next year!
We had plenty of time to complete the journey. That was until we stopped at an Esso garage, for relief and refreshment, and met slow Joe (Welsh Esso Employee of the month) who asked everybody including the kids “any fuel?” Dave Kelly answered him “yeah, 2 bales of briquettes and a lighter please”. So, a 20 minute stop turned into nearly an hour and Paul and Jonathan had to put bricks on the accelerators to get us to the boat on time.
If we thought the boat over had too many mancs, the boat back was mancville. Thankfully Paul, our bus driver, rang ahead to captain Kirk and organised a manc free 1st class area for us to sit together and watch the soccer.
There was a slow realisation that our weekend was almost over as we boarded the buses for the final time.
Hugs, kisses and handshakes were exchanged at the port and we all went our separate ways.
Once again, many thanks to the committee, Ger. Ronan, Dom, Kevin, Owen, Duncan, Tom and last man standing, to our drivers and to all those who helped out over the weekend, much appreciated folks.
The biggest thanks of all goes to you, our members, especially the kids, without them the Irish Toffees has no future…..
The FIFA competition group stages were not finished yet and a curious 4 all draw between 2 Italian kids left a sour taste in the mouth and means Owen Kearney will have to return to Liverpool’s high court for his involvement in match fixing allegations.
Next our quiz master took to the floor with 20 questions ranging from guessable to nearly impossible. 9 or 10 teams battled it out in a close run competition. Jimmy, Frank and Craig were overall winners with Captain Connelly lifting the prize. Well done lads. Preki would be proud.
After a very coldly contested junior quiz the Doherty boys were joint winners. Caoimhin and Tiarnan have been taughtwell by Jamsey, Fred and Wilma. We had a reverse nightclub policy on the door of the 1st floor. You could come in all right but juniors couldn’t get out. Many thanks to Bernie, Áine and Jimmy and all other bouncers on the night.
As our night drew to a close (for the kids anyway) the two mystery boxes were opened to reveal a present for every junior. Every kid burst a balloon to discover a piece of paper with a number on it inside. The number corresponded to a prize. We had every Everton gift imaginable, hats, furry dice, watches, etc, etc right up to the star prize of a signed and framed Jersey. Well done Ben Power he looked a little worried as everybody else got something before him) Thanks to Mavis and Norris (a.k.a. Declan and T.J.)for their help with the signed jersey. Now, a huge shout has to go out to Kevin, Danielle, Darragh and Tirna for their time and kitchen space. I wondered why Danielle was so interested in peeping through the hatch at the Italian restaurant. She said she hadn’t seen a clear kitchen floor for nearly a month.
The FIFA competition winner was Robert Byrne. Nice one Robert, the best boy won on the night. Billy (blue rinse) O‘Donnell lifted the hollow legs trophy; one leg was full of sausages and the other pina colada. Well done to both legs. Tirna Maher managed to stay inside the lines and got 1stplace in the colouring contest. Liz Duffy won the 3rd Irish Toffees shopping bag as she was spotted in the pound shop while the match was on. That just left Robert Burke who kept hold of his always late title without breaking into a sweat.
The hard core elite made it back to the bar to polish off any bottled beer that was left in the fridge. Billy blue rinse had to head out to the 24 hour Tesco to get more pineapple juice and Reggie (Feidhlim) Kearney was up way past his bedtime watching the locals through the hotel bar windowas they turned from Jeckle to Snyde. Have you managed to close your mouth yet, Feidhlim?
Sunday morning’s brekkie was just as tasty as Saturday’s and extra coffee was ordered all round. Check out seemed to go a lot smoother than check in, maybe they wanted us out before they restocked the fridges. The floor in the lobbywas beginning to look like Kevin and Danielle’s kitchen with all the bags starting to mount up.
We made our way back to the buses where Paul and Jonathan greeted us with a smile. (Was that a smile Paul?). A big shout has to go out to our drivers for giving up their time for free!! Without them these trips would not happen, I hope people showed their appreciation in the whip round.Thanks so much, guys. There were a few songs on the big bus and Tom, Owen and Ger had a limbo competition on the small bus or so I was told. Maureen owes us a song next year!
We had plenty of time to complete the journey. That was until we stopped at an Esso garage, for relief and refreshment, and met slow Joe (Welsh Esso Employee of the month) who asked everybody including the kids “any fuel?” Dave Kelly answered him “yeah, 2 bales of briquettes and a lighter please”. So, a 20 minute stop turned into nearly an hour and Paul and Jonathan had to put bricks on the accelerators to get us to the boat on time.
If we thought the boat over had too many mancs, the boat back was mancville. Thankfully Paul, our bus driver, rang ahead to captain Kirk and organised a manc free 1st class area for us to sit together and watch the soccer.
There was a slow realisation that our weekend was almost over as we boarded the buses for the final time.
Hugs, kisses and handshakes were exchanged at the port and we all went our separate ways.
Once again, many thanks to the committee, Ger. Ronan, Dom, Kevin, Owen, Duncan, Tom and last man standing, to our drivers and to all those who helped out over the weekend, much appreciated folks.
The biggest thanks of all goes to you, our members, especially the kids, without them the Irish Toffees has no future…..
