Leeds United 2 Colchester United 0

On Friday morning last 37 members of Ennislusc boarded a coach at the West County Inn at 7.45am on it's way to Shannon Airport for it's 20th trip since being formed in August 2000. In total 49 members made the trip with some departing from Dublin on Friday evening and Gearoid Mannix Mannion and Johnny Murphy making their way over on Saturday morning. Unfortunately four of the group Basil Whelan ( due to illness) the Lambert brothers from Dundalk ( flight cancelled as de icer failed while on runway at Belfast International airport-hard to credit) and Thomas McGrath (due to work )were unable to make the trip on our record trip. This is some achievement for a League 1 supporters club but just shows the dedication of true Leeds fans.

After flying into Birmingham airport we took a coach to Leeds but stopped on the way for some liquid refreshments and grub. The pub turned out to be a local of our member Steve Underwood ( you can't beat local knowledge) and was a great way to break the two plus hours trip. We also watched a movie (Taken - starring Liam Neeson)on the way and as always we stayed in the Marriott Hotel. One could not get a more central hotel and a great base for a weekend in Leeds. Many of the group went out to Elland Road on arriving to do some shopping while other went to the pool, bookies and the bar !

Having been over for games over the years most of the group have their favourite bars and restaurants but at the end of the night all meet back in the hotel for the customary sing song. Now not that we think we are all Michael Bubles but we have some great singer in Dom O Rourke, Slim Corry, Johnny Chandler, Eoin Doohan, Spinky White Emmett Moloney and the great Nugs with his Counting Crows duet with Dom (not to be missed). On this trip we had seven sets of father and sons and this was highlighted on the match programme along with our club President's picture Francis Spinky White.

While the match was very poor fair we got the required result thanks to two goals from Jermaine Beckford. Once again we had top seats behind the dugouts and when we get back to the Premiership ( one has to wish) I hope the staff in the ticket office hold these seats for us. This trip took some organizing and when one thinks how hard it is to book one person on Ryanair, print their tickets etc not to mind 54 one can appreciate the work done by secretary Paul Nihill (it took five hours alone to print the flight tickets). On top of this you have coach transfers, match tickets and hotel rooms the work load is enormous.

On the bus back to Birmingham airport on Sunday evening the group made a special presentation to Paul Nuggy Nihill and Johnny Moroney for their dedication and work in keeping Ennislusc up their as one of the top supporter clubs in the country. Both Paul and Johnny who were taken aback with the gesture but spoke of it being a labour of love and that Ennislusc was the club it is and respected for because of you it's members. After arriving back in Ennis many of the group went to Moroneys our spiritual home to meet the locals and tell the stories of a super weekend.MOT

Over the next few days I will upload pictures from the trip in the Picture Gallery.

Squad for Colchester game:

Kevin Woods Frank Woods Brian Woods Martin Brennan Phil Brigdale Emmet Moloney Pat Morrissey Robert Morrissey Francis White Dom O'Rourke Errol Mulqueen Paul Phelan John Brooks Michael McNamar Cyril Corry Richie Lynch Kevin Barry Paul Nihill James O'Neill Tommy Kelly Gerry Kelly Leon Quirke Mike Jones Ger Kenneally Jim Ryan Liam Jones John Dooley Steve Underwood Damien Morris Eoin Doohan Michael Lambert Gary Collins Noel Collins Gary Browne George Browne John Chandler Trevor Chandler Sean Keane Jamie Kelleher Joe Hestor Mary Hestor Kevin Greene Cathal Greene Kieran Moroney Shane Moroney Paul Harte Johnny Moroney Johnny Murphy Gearoid Mannix Mannion

Leeds United 01 Ankergren 06 Naylor 17 Michalik Yellow card 21 Lowry (Johnson 71) 26 Bromby 04 Doyle 14 Howson 15 McSheffrey (Gradel 82) 09 Beckford 10 Becchio 23 Snodgrass

Substitutes 36 Martin, 02 Crowe, 32 White, 16 Johnson, 18 Robinson, 28 Gradel, 13 Grella