Glenville’s destiny awaits

Glenville are looking forward to a second massive day in the FAI Senior Cup after they were handed a home draw to face Airtricity Premier side Limerick on the weekend of June 2.
The task now begins for club members like secretary David Lloyd to work out how best to maximise this opportunity. Back in 2010, the Palmerstown club moved to Richmond Park for their third round date with Bohemians, the then reigning Premier division champions, for a match that will live long in the memory.
After a competitive first half, Bohs eventually ran out 7-1 winners, with Paddy Madden – recently named in the English League One team of the year for his performances for Yeovil – grabbing a hat trick.
But the tie has had long-term benefits for the local club that has rocketed up through the ranks since forming at the Silver Granite pub back in 1997.
“The profile was raised immensely,” Lloyd told GazetteSport. “Bohemians were league champions. To be able to host the game and show what small clubs are capable of from the intermediate ranks, it really drove us on and raised our profile outside Palmerstown and Lucan.
“It gave the players a great insight into what life is like in football at the top level in the country. We got a couple of players on board who would not have known of our existence in the locality, especially as we’re competing with the likes of Dublin Bus and Cherry Orchard.
“Financially, it benefited it us as we could dictate the gate and gave us a great hand-up for the start of the next season. Sponsorship is so hard to come by these days and so for us to host the game and be able to pay a bit of our bills for the next season, it takes such a weight off our shoulders. We got some sponsorship in and it paid the bills for the next season.
“It gave the players the chance to play against the best in the country; they had a great time preparing for it.”
Following Monday’s draw, the club is currently looking into options for where to host the tie but Lloyd knows his side – currently pushing for promotion to the LSL Sunday Senior 1 – will give a good account of themselves.
“Our priority at the moment – we have five league games to go – is to gain promotion and possibly win the league. As for Limerick: Can we compete? I know we can compete! Against Bohs, in the 47th minute, we were only 2-1 down, we definitely competed for the first hour or so.
“Limerick are sixth in the Premier division, they’ve drawn with Rovers, beaten Pat’s and were unlucky to lose to Sligo. Will we be prepared for the day? Without a shadow of a doubt and we certainly won’t lack for preparation because we are an intermediate club. Can we win the match or potentially get to a replay? If we’re being honest, it will be a massive achievement for the club. We’ll certainly be prepared and will compete. Either way, it will be a massive weekend for the club.”