TRUE FAN VINCIE
For many football fans supporting their favourite team is something special,
a thrill they look forward to every week. Vincie Cranny of Kilsaran is one such
supporter. Vincie has been physically handicapped since birth but he has built
up a remarkable record in his support for Dundalk and has missed few games
in at Oriel Park.
This great relationship between Vincie and Dundalk started way back in
1958 when his family moved from Dromiskin to live at St. Mary's Villas, Kilsaran.
He was given a lift by a neighbour to Oriel Park and he saw Dundalk play
Waterford and from then on was "bitten by the bug" as he puts it.
One of his favourites in those days was the great Jimmy Hasty who Vincie
reckons was one of Dundalk's greatest players. He recalls a time in the early
'60's when Dundalk were playing a midweek game in Dublin. On his way home
from work Vincie met the team but and the players offered him a lift. "I told
them I'd go but I would have to go home to get some money but Jimmy Hasty
spoke up and said don't worry about that Vincie just get on and we'll look after
you". "It was typical of how well all the Dundalk teams have treated me over
the years".
Vincie is delighted to see Dundalk back in Europe and of course he has
been to all Dundalk's home encouters. He particularly remembes the game
against Vasas of Hungary in 1967 when Dundalk only lost 1-0 in Oriel Park's
first floodlite game. Alan Fox was Dundalk's player manager at the time and
Vincie felt that this was the best Dundalk team he has watched but as is typical
of Vincie he is quick to add that he has enjoyed watching all Dundalk players
in the last 30 years and has the greatest respect for them all.
In 30 years Vincie must have seen a lot of great goals? "Yes, I've seen
hundred's of games and it's very hard to pick out the best. I used to enjoy
watching Kevin Murray take free kicks, he was deadly from outside the box and
I'll always remember when Hilary Carlyle scored in the 1979 FAI Cup Final v.
Waterford". Even when Dundalk went through some very barren years Vincie's
enthusiasm has never been dampened and this is plainly obvious when he says
he has never had any disappointments while watching Dundalk except when he
misses a game.
Outside Dundalk FC Vincie's other great love were his local junior team
Glyde Rovers who are now defunct but he proudly remembers the day they took
on a League of Ireland selection some years back and were only narrowly beaten.
