Dear Editor,
At a time when our local club is fielding a lot of flak for both its on and off the field performance, I would like to acknowledge Galway United's contribution to ensuring an unforgettable eleventh birthday for my son.

I contacted Promotions Officer Daniel Walsh a few weeks ago to enquire about the possibility of Lee being mascot on 9 May, his birthday. Daniel set it up and at 7pm (45 minutes before kick-off), I met Paul O Brien who co-ordinated the organising of the mascots. Talk about professional! He arranged for pictures to be taken with Jeff Kenna and all the players as they came off the pitch after the warm-up. Paul then persuaded Alan Keane to get all the players, including the injured ones who were track suited and there to support their colleagues, to sign a football Lee had bought that day. I was amazed at how eager all of the players were to take time out for a quick snap with the star struck youngster. He was in his element when his 'idol' Wes Charles had a chat with him and I doubt Robbie Keane gets the same buzz leading the national team as Lee got when he and John Fitzgerald led 'The Tribesmen' onto Noel Connolly's manicured pitch at Terryland. He and his mates Shane and Mark enjoyed a half-time kick about and the only thing preventing it from being a perfect occasion was the fact that Finn Harps clawed back the lead twice to earn a draw! However it was a great night and where else would you want to be on a summer's evening.

Terryland is a very homely ground, from the squad players mingling in the stand to the mayor and his council colleagues alongside the club president, Galway born leaders of political parties, penalty saving world cup goalkeepers, penalty saving league cup final goalkeepers, who wander off five minutes before half-time for the proverbial cup of tea, legendary hurling coaches selling GU shirts in the club shop to the fortnightly die-hards who take a break from shouting: 'Come on United, go on Vinny, get stuck in Lester,' to visit the chip stand. Not to forget Ronan Coleman selling you the eagerly anticipated 'Maroon View' from one hand while trying to enrol you in G.U.S.T. with the other! Yes, where else would you want to be on a balmy May evening in Galway?

Mike Geraghty,
24 Upper Newcastle,
Galway

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