The boom is back baby – League of Ireland fans laugh as ex ...
NO ONE was bowled over by the action between Shelbourne and Derry City - but there was a noteworthy onlooker at Tolka Park.
Ex-Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern was sighted at Monday's scrappy 0-0 draw with Derry City.
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The former Taoiseach wasn't the only familiar face among the crowd either as Stephen Kenny was there too.
The 42's David Sneyd posted: "The (LOI) boom is back, baby. Bertie Ahern is in Tolka Park."
While Irish Independent football correspondent Daniel McDonnell tweeted: "Tight enough contest at Tolka Park between Shels and Derry. 0-0 at the break.
"List of former Irish leaders in the directors box includes Bertie Ahern and Stephen Kenny."
That combination of much-debated Irish figures provided plenty of comic material for followers of both journalists.
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The 72-year-old is a Drumcondra native and certainly known for being a big Dublin GAA supporter.
So perhaps our categorisation of him being the latest bandwagoner is harsh judging by this testimony by Sean Dower.
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He stated: "Many a day back in the 70s / 80s when Bertie & I had many the conversation in the good days of Waterford AFC.
"And as well as supporting the Dubs in Croke Park, Bertie was a regular in Tolka Park in particular."
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Interestingly, the League of Ireland is thriving these days whilst support for the national men's team seems to be fading with each passing game.
Friday evening was a red-letter day as Tallaght Stadium drew over 10k people - the biggest LOI crowd for 33 years.
Prior to their 3-1 victory over Bohs, Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley outlined the big picture aspirations the League should continue to chase after.
“It's something we have worked towards for quite some time.
“We have built it as a club up to a place where the average is really good, now we have the stadium.
"It will be brilliant to see it sold out, for everyone involved in the league, it shows where we can go, if you have the right facilities.
“But it's up to us now as a club and the league as a whole, when the facilities are provided, to build on that and make sure it's not a one-off, make sure we have this regularly and that's our aim.
“It can't be once or twice a season, it has to be on a regular basis and I firmly believe we can do that.
"I believe a lot of clubs around the league can, if facilities are there and in a good place.”
Last season’s FAI Cup final, between Bohs and St Pat’s, attracted an all-time record crowd of 43,881.
