Byrne’s Celts overcome resilient Robinstown - and Ed Sheeran!

Ed Sheeran says he loves Ireland - and the way 160,000 showed up for his show at Croke Park on Saturday and Sunday night - Ireland clearly loves him back. The famous singer is however probably unaware of the kind of problems his appearances can cause the managers of some local soccer teams. Team like Enfield Celtic for example.

Certainly on Sunday morning at Robinstown FC's home ground a few miles from the village of the same name, Enfield Celtic manager Dave Byrne was concerned at how his squad were left short a number of regulars because they had gone to the see Sheeran the previous night.

Byrne had brought in replacements and made a number of positional switches - and it all proved more than adequate as his team carved out a victory - but that wasn't obvious before kick-off.

"We had a couple of players who couldn't make it all because of the Ed Sheeran concert," outlined Enfield Celtic manager Davy Byrne after the game was over.

"I knew it was going to be a tough game today because I know from last season Robinstown have improved a lot. We played them twice last season, won one, lost one, so I was fretting when I was coming here today.

"We had to bring in a few lads from the reserves and they did well but yes, I was worried coming here today. Ed Sheeran is a lovely lad but I don't think he's into football is he?"

The Enfield Celtic manager need not have worried as his side recovered from the concession of an opening half goal and pushed on to win 3-1, the goals (two from Ian Keenan, one from Niall Mulvey) ensuring they have now won two games from their two outings in the Div 3A campaign.

Certainly there must have been a few shivers going up and down the Enfield Celtic managers' spine early on as his team struggled to deal with a lively, enterprising Robinstown side who created more in the opening half and deservedly led at the break with a goal from the highly experienced Paul Curtin.

Another highly experienced campaigner for the home side was Paul Garry. His enthusiasm for playing football has helped him sustain a career when others of his vintage have long hung up the boots.

Garry was busy and inventive throughout on Sunday, leading, inspiring, encouraging - and it was only when he was substituted late in the second-half that Enfield Celtic really started to dominate - pushing on to add two late goals to their account.

Garry - and the rest of his Robinstown FC colleagues - were at the ground well in advance of the start of Sunday morning's contest. Some of the players were there to help first team manager Damien Sheridan ensure everything was in place for kick-off; to set the stage for the drama that later unfolded. Players could be seen sorting out the nets and lining the pitch and performing the many small but essential tasks.

A soccer club in Robinstown has been around since the establishment of the original Mid-Meath League back in the day. It might have carried different names - Shambo, Botown, Robinstown - but essentially they all represented the local area.

One of the driving forces behind Robinstown FC or the "real Reds" these days is Sheridan. Not only is he manager he is also joint chairman (along with Cormac Harten).

Sheridan pointed to the how the players who helped get the ground ready was an symbolic indication of how Robinstown FC is a community club. A small, rural club yes, but run by people who have a real pride in the fact that the area is represented at various levels on the local soccer landscape.

He pointed to how the club fields at under-age; three boys, two girls. They also field a reserve adult team. A community in action. To underline his point he outlines how a former player like Dermot Bartley has come back to manager the club's u-13 boys team.

Others too have filled vital roles such as Brendan Farrell who coaches the boys u-15s, Dermot Finnegan who is in charge of the u-12 boys while Eamon Curley manages the girls section with Johnny Friel is in charge of the club's senior second team. There are also teams entered in the coaching league.

Sheridan added that the club was now in "good shape" financially and in terms of numbers, although there is always room to improve.

"I'd be happy with the way the club is going, it's in a good place. Financially we are sound and we'd hope to eventually own our own grounds sometime in the future but there's always room for more volunteers to help out."

Sunday morning was perfect for a game of football, the pleasant, early spring sunshine taking the sharpness out of a nasty east wind. Time was when clubs were winding down their season at this time of the year.

Now they are ramping up for a long campaign ahead - and certainly both Byrne and Sheridan agree that summer soccer is the way to go.

"Trying to play football in November, December, January was impossible really, you'd end up going down to check the pitch after a night's rain knowing in your heart it was unplayable," added Sheridan.

"The evening games we have now free up the weekends which is important especially for family men."

That view was echoed by Byrne. "It should have been done years ago. Some of the pitches in the league are not the best and with the summer soccer they are holding up better. We use a lot of sand which helps the pitches hold longer."

The manager outlined how Enfield Celtic are making all sorts of strides in all sorts of ways.

"We are getting floodlights in during the summer so there will be a lot more Friday night football. All the under-age teams are flying, we have 28 teams at under-age levels.

We have women's football as well as football for all. We have outgrown the two pitches we have. We are looking for land to expand.

"Our chairperson Ann Maher is great, if it wasn't for her we wouldn't have what we have. She chases up everything, all day, phone calls, e-mails, we would be lost without her her efforts.

“In terms of numbers for the senior teams we are fine, we have a few lads who also play GAA. They train with us as well but come match day they are always there for us."

Managers of football teams have to grapple with all sorts of issues and opponents but trying to compete with the ever-popular Mr Sheeran is another matter altogether.

Enfield Celtic did it on Sunday - and won out.