Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has encouraged supporters to show their appreciation for Lynn O’Neill’s 40-year service to Bohemians when a testimonial game in her honour is held at Dalymount Park this Friday.
Tickets, priced at €10 for adults and €5 for children/concession are available from tickets.bohemians.ie.
Friday’s game, which kicks off at 7.45pm, will see two teams of Bohemians legends face-off. The management teams will see Kenny in charge of one team alongside Keith Long, while fellow former Bohs managers Pat Fenlon and Turlough O’Connor will be in the opposing dugout.
Kenny, who managed Bohs to a league title in 2003, said: “Lynn is a consummate professional at all levels, she is the fulcrum of Bohemian Football Club and an important aspect behind-the-scenes.
“She is highly-respected throughout Irish football and, apart from professional duties, her passion for the club is remarkable, following on from her father Noel who was once a committee member.
“Bohemians is part of her life and she has been with the club through the good and the difficult times.
“Even through those difficult times, she does her work with fun and laughter; she is a very calming presence to all, which transmits throughout the club.
“Everyone was always made welcome, she has always had a warm smile and was there for you, and indeed everyone, no matter whether Bohs won, drew or lost.
“When I joined Bohemians in 2001, I was a very young manager and she was very welcoming and supportive towards me.
“She has made a great contribution to the club, one which has gone way beyond any expectations and, of course, she will be sorely missed but she can leave the club proud of her impact through the years.
“She is very proud of the club and Bohemians are rightly very proud of her.
“I wish her the best wishes in her retirement, and I hope that Bohs fans will show their appreciation for her on Friday.”
Meanwhile, fans are encouraged to send a short video message, via WhatsApp on 086 076 3943, to Lynn. The messages will be shown at Friday’s game.
Bohemians Legends XI 1: Brian Murphy, Lee Steacy, Derek Pender, Paul McNally, Robbie Best, Conor Powell, Annmarie Byrne, Maurice O’Driscoll, Paul Byrne, Keith Ward, Isobel Finnegan, James Keddy, Dave Tilson, Dinny Corcoran, Trevor Molloy, Derek Swan, Neale Fenn, Robbie Doyle.
Bohemians Legends XI 2: Dermot O’Neill, Shane Supple, Owen Heary, Tony O’Connor, Mark Rossiter, Anto Murphy, Liam Burns, Alan Byrne, Ian Morris, Stephen Caffrey, Bobby Ryan, Killian Brennan, Paddy Kavanagh, Glen Crowe, Jason Byrne, Abbie Brophy, Eric Lalor.
