Joe Carroll: Our El Classicos were played in front of Oriel

We played soccer in front of Oriel Park, in a field where the petrol station now stands. We also played cricket, and our athletic events had high-jump using bamboo rods sourced in the grounds surrounding the red-bricked house across the road, owned by the Cox family.

Matt Donnelly, of Farney Fox fame, took over ownership of the imposing house and opened Derryhale Hotel. This was one of Dundalk’s finest hotels, but, sadly, it is no longer inviting guests. It stands with a dismal look about it, and that’s a shame.

We, in the Dundalk Gaels club, had some great nights there, either celebrating a competition win or running a poker classic or race night. We also had a downer or two, the one that followed our defeat in a senior championship final replay at the beginning of the 1990s not easily forgotten.

Back to the other side of the Carrick Road. It’s stretching it a bit to say representative matches were played on the green; the announcement of a three- or four-a-side Carrick Road versus Anne Street tussle was never likely to make the papers’ fixture-lists, or be talked about beyond our little circle. But it was important to us, and looked forward to with enthusiasm.

Mickey Callan, Jim McArdle and Tom Carroll and, I think, a chap called Jim Duffy, specially flown in from Dublin Street, were regulars with Anne Street; McDermott’s Terrace provided us with most of our selection.

Of course there were corduroys for goals, but no sideline or offside. There’d be no major dispute over corners or wides, but rarely would penalties or frees be awarded. How could there be when there was no referee?

Another defeat puts Lilywhites recruitment under scrutiny

The Commentary Box: The Gerry Malone Column

Games would invariably be tight. So tight, it would nearly always be ‘next goal wins’ that decided the issue. If there was a gulf between us, it would never be anything like the one that developed in an International match which took place on April 11th, 22 years ago.

There could never have been a 31-0 scoreline in any of our El Classicos. If there was a danger of a team running away with it, after, maybe, someone had been called home to do a message, some excuse would be made for us to pack it in.

No question of Australia showing such mercy to American Samoa in their Oceania World Cup qualifier of 2001. They kept piling it on, even though they knew the opposition was comprised of mostly schoolboys, one of them just 15.

Samoa had picked what they considered a strong side, but after FIFA had examined the players’ passports, they found that the majority of them were ineligible. Thus, the tip down to the local schoolyard to get the jerseys filled.

Australia had beaten Tonga two days earlier by a FIFA world record 22-0 and obviously had a lust for goals when they went to play Samoa. This was shooting fish in a barrel, or, if you like, damn lousy. They’d have been booed off Oriel’s green patch.

Inside Track: Focus on managers larger then ever before

One of the strikers came in with 13 goals, creating an international record. His tally matched that of an Abroath striker from a Scottish Cup match.

But that accolade was achieved when goalies – and some outfield players – wore caps, pitches were ringed by spectators no more than a few yards from the play, and the referee wore a blazer and sometimes a tie. John Petrie, the eagle-eyed marksman, created his club record in the 1885/’86 season.

I don’t suppose there are any inter-street matches anymore; Australia, I hope, are beaten into a cocked hat somewhere along the way in the next World Cup, and if they ever reopen Derryhale, I’ll be one of the first up for a pint.