Club Features
Interviews with club stalwarts
Gabriel O’Gorman (Founder of Esker Celtic FC)
Q1. Which team do you support? And who is/was your favourite player?
Chelsea – the blue and white of Esker Celtic comes directly from them – and St. Patrick’s Athletic, where I am a season ticket holder.
My favourite player was Rivellino. A Brazilian footballer who played in the 1960s and 70s.
Q2. Who did you used to play football for?
I’m from Inchicore, so I played for a team called Emmett Rangers, who became St Patrick’s Athletic, and then I played with Anner United, Tree Park United in the LSL and Frederick Celtic in AUL.
Q3. How did the idea of setting up Esker Celtic FC arise? Where did it come from?
I moved to Lucan and Esker Park was the housing estate I lived in, and the neighbours were saying their kids had no local football club to play for and were having to go across to Beechpark. So I asked if they could round up a group of players. An hour later, 10 kids aged 8 to 12 turned up, and it was as simple as that. The name of the club (Esker Celtic) is very straightforward and comes from Esker Park, where it all started.
Q4. From 1990 to today, what changes have you witnessed at the club?
Our first ever home game was played on a pitch in Griffeen, near where Ballyowen’s 7-a-sides play, but the pitch itself doesn’t exist anymore. We got Willsbrook Park for the second home game. There was no container for dressing rooms, so we used to change underneath the bridge which comes down to it. Back then Esker didn’t even own their own pitch, we shared it with Rosegrove, they had three teams and we, or rather I, had one. So to go from that to what it is now, its like night and day really.
Q5. This year marks the club’s 30th anniversary – what have been the highlights for you in that time?
I have been involved in two spells with Esker from 1990 to 1999 and from 2010 to 2016, and the highlight for me is the excellent facilities that are now there. Personally the biggest highlight was when Esker won the Aviva FAI Club of the Year in 2013. From a football point of view, that was a huge thing for the club. From a personal point of view, Esker being tied up with St. Patrick’s Athletic is a huge source of personal pride for me. Last season, St Pats played Derry and Esker turned up in force at the Inchicore End of Richmond Park and I was immensely proud seeing a sea of blue behind the goal, it was just fantastic. Also when St Pats played Chelsea in a pre-season friendly last year, there were three former Esker Celtic players (Darragh Markey, Paul Cleary and Ciaran Kelly) involved and that was the link-up of my three favourite clubs.
Q6. What, do you feel, was the best thing you did at Esker Celtic?
There were a lot of issues going on between Esker Park and Hermitage Park at one time, and there were two lads training down in Hermitage and they were going to start off their own club. So I went down and approached them and said they could bring their team up to ours, that I would get them gear and the whole lot. They had a think about it and one of them decided to come over. That lad was Paul Cleary (current club chairperson). So that was a good piece of business on my behalf and on behalf of Esker. It was the best thing I could have done for Esker Celtic.
John Dalton (Caretaker and Gofer of Esker Celtic FC)
Q1. Which team do you support? And who is/was your favourite player?
Liverpool and Roberto Firmino.
Q2. Who did you used to play football for?
I’m from Ballyduff in North Kerry, which is noted more for hurling and greyhounds than soccer.
Q3. How did you get involved at Esker Celtic FC?
I got married and moved to Lucan. I got involved with Esker Celtic 11 years ago. Antoinette Healy, who was attached to the club at the time, got in contact with me and asked if I wanted to look after the club as they needed a caretaker. So that’s how I joined.
Q4. Tell us about your role(s) at the club?
As caretaker, I work Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays supervising three members from Tús (one carpenter, an electrician and a pitch marker) who are on year-long placements with us. I come down on Monday to clean up the clubhouse, repair the nets and goalposts (if required). Wednesday is for marking the pitches (weather permitting) and Friday we finish the pitch marking, prepare and check that everything is ready for the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, I open up the clubhouse ensuring everything is in order, look after the rubbish and close up at the end checking that equipment is returned.
Q5. This year marks the club’s 30th anniversary – what have been the highlights for you?
Becoming the Aviva FAI Club of the Year in 2013, when you think of all the clubs throughout Ireland, it was a fantastic achievement. It was a massive community effort, and at that time we had up to 44 teams. It is a great club and I am very impressed with the work and dedication of the coaches and parents; they give up all their spare time to help out and look after the kids. It is a joy to behold and a pleasure to be part of such a passionate local team.
Hugh Feeney (Long-serving Senior player)
Q1. Which team do you support? And who is/was your favourite player?
I am a big Manchester United fan and I have always loved Paul Scholes.
Q2. Who did you used to play football for? And how did you get involved at Esker?
I only played for Rosegrove (Willsbrook Park) for a year, then we amalgamated with Esker and I have played here ever since.
Q3. How long have you been at Esker Celtic?
I started when I was 8 and and I’m 33 now, so 25 years I’ve been playing for Esker. Its starting to become a struggle now, but hard to give it up!
Q4. From the time you started at Esker to today, what changes have you witnessed at the club over that period of time?
I think the facilities and the size of the club are the biggest change. Great to see the underage teams competing in some of the top leagues now.
Q5. What is your favourite memory/proudest moment from your time at Esker?
Plenty of great days playing for Esker. Won a few cups with Paul Cleary and the current squad. The best was our first year senior 2005/6 with John Carolan. Esker had never won anything at senior level and we did the league and cup double.
Q6. What’s the best thing about the club for you?
Great club with great people who keep it running out of their own time.
Eoin Carolin (Long-serving Senior player)
Q1. Which team do you support? And who is/was your favourite player?
Manchester United. My past favourite player is Eric Cantona and current favourite is Bruno Fernandez.
Q2. Who did you used to play football for? And how did you get involved at Esker?
I have always played for Esker. My dad got me involved after brainwashing me to support Man United and play football. He then managed my team from U9s right up to senior level until 2010.
Q3. How long have you been playing / been at Esker Celtic?
I’ve been playing for Esker since U7s and still playing for them at senior level. I had a break for a couple of years in my 20s as I was living in London at the time.
Q4. From the time you started at Esker to today, what changes have you witnessed at the club over that period of time?
The huge improvement of the younger Esker teams and competing in the top leagues of the DDSL.
Q5. What is your favourite memory/proudest moment from your time at Esker?
Winning the double in my first year at senior level and scoring in the cup final and the league play off final that season.
Q6. What’s the best thing about the club for you?
Local based club with mostly local lads from the area playing, so there is always a good team spirit.
Colm Cockburn (Long-serving Senior player)
Q1. Which team do you support? And who is/was your favourite player?
I support Liverpool and my favourite player is Steven Gerrard.
Q2. Who did you used to play football for? And how did you get involved at Esker?
I played with friends and I knew a few people in my class at school playing for Esker, so I joined.
Q3. How long have you been playing with Esker Celtic?
I joined Esker in 1992 and been playing for them ever since!
Q4. From the time you started at Esker to today, what changes have you witnessed at the club over that period of time?
Loads. The club house is a big one, moving to Hermitage Park, the amount of teams etc.
Q5. What is your favourite memory/proudest moment from your time at Esker?
Winning the Cup in 2005/06. It was my first medal for Esker.
Q6. What’s the best thing about the club for you?
It’s a family club.
Ciaran Scully (Esker player from Academy level to U18)
Q1. Why did you decide to stay at Esker since your Academy days?
I was always happy playing with the team and with the coaches.
Q2. How would you describe the bond you share with your teammates from all your years playing together?
A very friendly and positive environment.
Q3. What have been the highlights of playing schoolboy soccer with Esker?
Winning the League and Cup double in 2018.
Q4. Your best / favourite thing about the club?
Being able to play football with great teammates.
Q5. What are your thoughts on the coming season and what is next for the future?
We hope we can play well and win a trophy next season.
Marcus Malone (Esker player from Academy level to U18)
Q1. Why did you decide to stay at Esker since your Academy days?
I enjoyed playing for Esker from the very start as I had friends at the club and it was in the locality.
Q2. How would you describe the bond you share with your teammates from all your years playing together?
I’ve had various different coaches over the years and I have gotten on well with all of them. Forming bonds with different players can be tough, but I’ve gotten on well with everyone I have played with.
Q3. What have been the highlights of playing schoolboy soccer with Esker?
I’d have to say the highlight is winning the League and Cup double two seasons ago and playing the final at the AUL Complex.
Q4. Your best / favourite thing about the club?
My favourite thing about the club is the sense of community and the fact that I could be loyal for more than 10 years without hesitation.
Q5. What are your thoughts on the coming season and what is next for the future?
We hope to compete for some medals, whether that is in the League or a Cup and to continue my journey with Esker.
Darragh Burke (Esker player from Academy level to U18)
Q1. Why did you decide to stay at Esker since your Academy days?
I decided to stay because Esker never tried to rush our development or push us to play at a level where we wouldn’t be competitive or walk every game by a cricket score.
Q2. How would you describe the bond you share with your teammates from all your years playing together?
From playing together for so long, we’ve all come together and played for each other through the hard times and good times. We will always back each other up and play with our hearts on our sleeves for one another.
Q3. What have been the highlights of playing schoolboy soccer with Esker?
The highlights would always be the times we were successful, but even losing the Cup final at U13 helped motivate us to win the League and Cup at U15 which is the highlight of playing schoolboy football in the club.
Q4. Your best / favourite thing about the club?
The best thing about Esker is that it’s a club for the community and for everyone to play in, where they will always find a team for you to play on.
Q5. What are your thoughts on the coming season and what is next for the future?
I hope for the coming season that we can cap off a successful and enjoyable schoolboy career with a Cup or League title. As for the future, I am hoping to officiate in the schoolboys league and higher levels going forward.
Emir Kuljancic (Esker player from Academy level to U18)
Q1. Why did you decide to stay at Esker since your Academy days?
I decided to stay at Esker because it was my first club and I feel like the Academy really helped with my development as a player.
Q2. How would you describe the bond you share with your teammates from all your years playing together?
I would say that I have a really strong bond with the club and my coaches and teammates.
Q3. What have been the highlights of playing schoolboy soccer with Esker?
The highlight playing schoolboy football was winning the double, scoring nearly 100 goals and conceding the least number of goals in the league as a team and winning player of the year all in one season.
Q4. Your best / favourite thing about the club?
My favourite thing about the club is all the experiences I have had over the years with my teammates and coaches.
Q5. What are your thoughts on the coming season and what is next for the future?
I hope for us to challenge to win the league and for the future to maybe see if I could go professional?
Eoin Connolly (Esker player from Academy level to U18)
Q1. Why did you decide to stay at Esker since your Academy days?
I decided to stay at Esker Celtic because of the manager and coach and the nice atmosphere in the team and at club.
Q2. How would you describe the bond you share with your teammates from all your years playing together?
There are only a few players who have been there through the years playing together, however the bond is strong between all of the players on the team.
Q3. What have been the highlights of playing schoolboy soccer with Esker?
Winning the League and Cup.
Q4. Your best / favourite thing about the club?
My favourite thing about the club is the work that the manager and coach put into the team and we appreciate all the hard work.
Q5. What are your thoughts on the coming season and what is next for the future?
I think that we have a very strong team and we should do well in the coming season, especially with everything that is going on in the world at the moment.
Sam Daly (Esker player from Academy level to U18)
Q1. Why did you decide to stay at Esker since your Academy days?
I decided to stay at Esker cause since I joined my mates have been on the team ever since.
Q2. How would you describe the bond yous share from all your years playing together?
I’ve been with the same manager since I joined and all the players that have come through I’ve gotten on well with all of them.
Q3. Highlights of playing schoolboy soccer with Esker?
The highlight for me would be winning the league and cup two seasons ago.
Q4. Best / favourite thing about the club for you?
My favourite thing about the club would be that it’s local I think it’s run well and I’ve made good friends over the years.
Q5. Thoughts on the coming season & what is next for the future?
For the coming season I would like to win a trophy either the league or cup and to stay with Esker into senior football.
Adam Kelly (Esker player from Academy level to U18)
Q1. Why did you decide to stay at Esker since your Academy days?
Esker is the closest team to where I live and I had no interest in leaving.
Q2. How would you describe the bond yous share from all your years playing together?
It’s a close bond being on the same team for a long time and we all had the same goals every season.
Q3. Highlights of playing schoolboy soccer with Esker?
Winning 2 leagues and winning a league and cup double in 2018.
Q4. Best / favourite thing about the club for you?
Getting to play football with my mates and having fun while doing it.
Q5. Thoughts on the coming season & what is next for the future?
Hopefully we do well this season and try to stay as a team in the future.
