CELTIC SOUL PODCAST | Paul “Shyness’ McSherry / From Celtic Park to New York
Paul McSherry or Shyness as he is known as grew up in and around Celtic Park before signing S Forms for his bhoyhood club. He made it as far as the reserves before being released by Liam Brady. He then signed for Motherwell before heading to the US on a soccer scholarship.
He now lives in New York and is a member of the Manhattan No. 1 Fenian Bhoys CSC. He still travels to see Celtic and was in Dortmund and Zagreb this season to cheer on Celtic and is still in search of an away Champions league win on his travels across the Atlantic Ocean.
Listen to his story and hear about Liam Brady in training and sharing a pitch with so many famous Celtic names. McAvennie. McStay, Rogan, Coyne, Nicholas and Bonner to name a few.
Celtic are now only 3 wins away from retaining the SPFL table and are already looking ahead to next seasons pre-season and have announced that they will travel to Cork this Summer on July 8 to take on Cork City at GAA ground Páirc Uí Chaoimh in the inaugural Cork Super Cup.
The Cork Super Cup is a joint initiative between Cork GAA and sports marketing agency Druid Sport to bring another record-breaking mid-summer event to the stadium.
Cork City v Celtic will only be the third ever soccer match to be staged at the historic grounds. The city has a number of Celtic Supporters Clubs and I am sure they will be looking forward to welcoming travelling Celtic fans to the city and the local pubs and hotels will benefit from having us in the city.
Celtic have played Cork City in friendlies on Leeside before, including a famous 2-0 victory for the home side during a visit in 1992, while a team of Celtic and Manchester United legends played a team of Ireland legends at the stadium in 2018, in memory of the late Liam Miller.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said: “We are delighted to be travelling to Cork to play in this fantastic match in the summertime. We will be visiting a great stadium in a fine city and we are sure the game will be a wonderful occasion.
“Celtic’s Irish connections are very important to the Club and we are sure there will be huge interest in the match. From my own perspective it will be great to be going home to Ireland but also from a footballing side we are really looking forward to the match against Cork City, which will be an important part of our preparations for next season.”
Cork City manager, Tim Clancy said: “We are lucky to have such an incredible fanbase at City, and know they will turn out in force to show Celtic what the Rebel Army is capable of.
“We have enjoyed incredible support since the start of the League of Ireland Premier Division season, and the opportunity to place a fantastic team in Celtic at an iconic setting is one that both the team and the fans can look forward to.”
Season ticket holders with Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Celtic FC and Cork City FC will be able to purchase tickets from Wednesday, March 5 by following instructions that will be sent by email.
Tickets will go on general sale, including a limited number of family tickets, via www.corksupercup.com and Ticketmaster from 9am on Friday morning, March 7.
Follow Cork Super Cup on Instagram @corksupercup and on Facebook /CorkSuperCupOfficial
Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes & Host of the Celtic Soul Podcast
Last night was an evening to remember for those who were lucky enough to be in attendance at The Helix in Dublin.
Legend Henrik Larsson took to the stage for the first time ever in the capital in what I can only describe as the ultimate throwback of some of the greatest memories in Celtics history.
Arriving at the doors you were greeting by a large queue of supporters all decked out in the iconic green and white hoops, fans from up and down the country a mix of accents all waiting to catch a glimpse of the king himself.
For those like myself lucky enough to snap up one of the meet and greets on offer it was truly a surreal experience. They say you should never meet your idols, I did and I couldn’t be happier. He was an absolute gentleman. A very humble man who seems to genuinely appreciate the love and hero status that he receives from the Celtic support.
After meeting with the fans he took to the stage where he spoke about his life before during and after Celtic. While there was nothing new to the stories told, we all know how he ended up at Celtic, who brought him in and what he done while he was at the club yet it seems like it’s all brand new information when Henrik Larsson himself is telling the tale in front of you.
As he was hailed on stage by fans who sung his name loudly throughout the interview, you could tell he doesn’t take any of this for granted, he said himself he never imagined what was to come when he put pen to paper all those years ago. While he said he knew about Celtic he had no idea really.
Fans were treated to throwbacks of a number of Larssons 242 goals for the club and although I’m sure he’s seen these over and over again much like ourselves he seemed as captivated as the fans taking this trip down memory lane.
Rachel Lynch a journalist from Dublin with InTallaght. She has supported Celtic her entire life with a home address of Celtic Park she didn’t have much choice. Her first memory as a child was the road to Seville and also her first team seeing the likes of Larsson, Thompson, Petrov, Sutton & Hartson. Some would say she was spoilt from the start with Celtic, she was….
Football kick-off times have always been controversial when it comes to TV dictating for their schedule but from a selfish point of view, I love these 5:30pm kick off times. No travelling over the night before to be on time for the early supporters bus up the road for a midday kick off or no red eye flight in the morning which has you up out of bed when the night clubbers are still raving.
I took a noon bus from Drogheda to catch the 2:45pm flight to Glasgow from Dublin before a short bus journey into Paisley and a stroll to the ground arriving at 5pm in plenty of time to pick up my ticket and get in for kick off. I even got a chat with Average Joe Miller from Not the View ahead of kick off as former Celtic striker Mark Burchill passed by on his way in to watch the game. I’m sure he got a mention or two during his time at Celtic in NTV.
With tickets so scarce there was only a small handful of Celtic fans on the flight and most of them were still without tickets. I spoke to them on the way home and they told me they just watched in a pub but enjoyed the day out.
Enjoyment was a key factor of the day by the time we landed in Glasgow it was halftime in the rangers v Motherwell game and the score was 0-2 to the visitors. Ibrox must have been a quiet place at halftime. Full time for those who were left it was boo time after a 2-1 defeat and they handed Celtic the chance to go 16 points clear.
The atmosphere outside the ground was one of smiles and laughter with the news of the latest ranger’s meltdown with their dream team of ex rangers’ players in place to appease the fans after the sacking of Clement carrying on where the Belgian left over with a home defeat.
When Barry Ferguson’s name is getting chanted before the game kicked off by 2,300 Celtic fans it only adds fuel to the fire for the rangers’ fans. Many who were on my flight back home. I listened with interest to those around me who ranted about the rangers’ board who they are laying the blame at that’s for sure. They also spoke of the time they had to get out of bed for each home game, the money they spend and losing to the” The mighty Queens Park, the mighty St. Mirren and the mighty Motherwell” Their words not mine! A Hatrick of mighty defeats at Ibrox.
Pity I did not get to record it for the Celtic Soul Podcast it would have made some great listening. Earlier today I got a chance to watch back highlights of both Celtic and the rangers’ games from yesterday and the post match interviews. While Barry is clearly not happy Brendan Rodgers was in much better form talking about it being one of his favourite games of the season and joking about how Yang’s girlfriend is in Glasgow, and he is hoping she stays after witnessing a super sub performance from the South Korean.
In fairness to St. Mirren, they made a great game of it and missed some good chances in front of goal. Their fans celebrated both their equalising goals and will have been still buzzing from beating the rangers at Ibrox but today Brendan Rodgers strength in dept on the bench proved to be the game changer even if they had a good shout for a penalty the game finished 5-2 to the Celts.
Schlupp opened his Celtic goal account with a quality strike after his loan move from Crystal Palace before the home side equalised from a free kick on the edge of the box in front of the Celtic fans. Maeda was taken down in the box and Engel converted from the penalty spot before former Drogheda United player, Killian Philips equalised.
Brendan made 3 changes in the second half off came Idah, McGregor and Kuhn on went Jotta, Cowan (who hit the post with a great effort) and Yang. The Celtic fans may have been excited by the arrival Jota on to the pitch and we were singing his song, but it was super sub-Yang who stole the show with 3 goals (one was chalked off for being offside) and a brilliant assist for Maeda to convert.
With 9 games to go Celtic are the Champions in waiting. Next on the list a Scottish Cup Quarter Final at Celtic Park v Hibs next Sunday. Johnny Kenny who came on late in yesterday’s game was on the flight last night with Killian Philips. I had a brief chat with them as we got off the plane and we shared a little joke.
The rangers’ fans are back in Celtic Park in a few weeks lets hope we can add more hurt to the meltdown mob from across the city but first we must despatch of Hibs to keep our treble dream alive.
Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes & host of the Celtic Soul Podcast
For the first time ever in Ireland, GM entertainment brings you Henrik Larsson in an exclusive evening like no other!
Join us as Larsson shares his incredible journey, unforgettable moments, and stories from his illustrious career. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with Celtic’s greatest ever player.
Platinum & Gold packages are SOLD OUT grab the last of the Silver Packages as we salute the King of Kings and one of Celtic FC greatest ever players
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When the gig was announced I checked my diary and was delighted to see I had a free night. I text my old mate Bazz Reilly to see if he wanted to be my dance partner for the night and he jumped at the chance. Flights got booked as did the hotel soon after and we were all set. I was flat out gigging over the festive season myself, so I was really looking forward to a night off and a few beers.
After a few drinks in the airport we were soon on our way to Glasgow. Travelling to Glasgow on a non-match day is always a little different. For a start you don’t bump into fellow Celtic fans en route. The city was quiet when we arrived and as we checked into our hotel an old friend Alan who now lives in London just happened to arrive in for quick pint in the bar before catching the train across the road at Central Station back down south.
A big hug and some pints were called at the bar. He never did make his train that day and ended up booking in the hotel and staying for the night. Soon after mates who we had arranged to meet started to join us at the bar for pre-gig pints and plenty of banter.
King Tuts is a famous music venue, Oasis were discovered there and signed by Alan McGee for Creation Records and the rest, as they say, is history and it has played host to many acts on the way up and a few acts on their way down.
I had not been at a gig in King Tuts since pre-covid when The Farm performed the Spartacus Album. The capacity is only 300 and the SOLD-OUT signs were up when we arrived at the doors. We missed the support act Callum Baird but hopefully we will catch him again.
When you walk up the steps to the venue on each step you can read some of the acts who have played there and from this walk-up Paulo Nutini’s name sticks out in my mind. Wonder whatever happened to him?
The band had left some Press Passes for us which meant we could pop into the dressing room to wish them well just before they went on stage – all 11 of them. The 7 Wakes, and a keyboard player and a 3-piece brass section.
Bazz got a quick look at the set list with lead singer Paul Sheridan and I’m sure he got him to squeeze in Thousands are Sailing as I did not see it on the set list but unless my mind is playing tricks on me, they did play it on the night.
The band took to the stage to a hero’s welcome in their own city. Fans had travelled from around Europe and as far as the US for the gig and they would not be disappointed. They opened with Bella Ciao the Italian folk song which has become an anti-fascist anthem Followed by No Irish Need Apply and ran through their back catalogue of songs from their many albums and performed a few covers for good measure.
Stand outs on the night included Marchin Down Sackville Street, These Hands, Power in a Union, Uncrowned King of Football and Scapegoats – a fitting tribute to Paddy Hill of the Birmingham Six who had passed away that morning.
They finished with Glasgow Cross which is one of my favorites and believe me I have been in a bar in Glasgow Cross on many occasions at 8:30 in the morning. But this was not the end in true Rock’n’roll style they marched back onto the stage for the encore, and we were treated to Colours, They’re Building a Wall before they closed the night with YNWA to send the crowd home happy in the cold night air.
Great Night, Great Gig, Great Band, Great Venue and Great Mates to enjoy the night with.
Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes Celtic Fanzine & Host of the Celtic Soul Podcast
Celtic were outstanding last night on a freezing cold night in Munich. This team have matured on the big European stage under Brendan Rodgers. He has also matured as a manager and with £38M banked from this Euro campaign he can now build for the next campaign from a position of strength and the team should be able to kick on now with the experience they have gained this season to become a better unit with some more quality added.
The atmosphere was relaxed in the German City before the game as Celtic fans gathered in local bars for pre-match refreshments and to catch up with familiar faces from over the years they have met along the way.
For once tickets were plentiful for an away game. The ticket allocation was healthy and our viewing from the top tier was impressive including the Munich Ultras camped behind the goals in the opposite end.
The Police presence in the city all afternoon was low key but As Celtic fans began to gather to march to the underground the Police presence increased as did the noise of the Ultras drum. The singing became louder and fans marched through the streets to the underground with Police to the front and back stopping traffic for safe passage.
The train was packed for the short journey to the stadium and the banter was good as the songs and chants got louder as the train arrived at the stadium. The walk to the ground was marshalled by Police and safety officers and there were plenty of toilets for light relief.
Once at the turnstiles we were met with some familiar faces from the Celtic Park security team who pointed us in the right direction to enter. A quick search and we were inside in plenty of time to get a beer before entering to upper area to take our place among the faithful.
The atmosphere was building and the Celtic players were finishing their warm up as the noise levels increased when they came up the tunnel on the big screen and onto the field of play.
The game was tense at times and glances were regular to the big screens to check how many minutes were played. Celtic were not going out gunned on the night and had some good chances before Nicholas Kuhn sent us into wild celebrations and the Munich fans and their players got nervous which only added to the atmosphere in the away end.
In the end a last minute controversial goal was the difference between both teams. Bayern through on a 3-2 aggregate score. There was no holding us in for an hour to let the home fans leave, all 75,000 of us left together and headed for the trains which were lined up waiting to take us back into the city for a night cap.
The home fans were quiet on the train back in the city. Maybe they were in shock that we had them on the ropes or maybe they are so used to winning they forgot what it is like to celebrate a European win. If we had won that game we would still be partying now.
This seasons campaign in the Champions League has been one of the best I have witnessed in many years travelling around Europe with the Bhoys. This trip has been an amazing experience. 3 games in less than a week with many miles travelled, a few beers and plenty of laughs with like minded people. The Bhoys done us proud.
Hibs next on Saturday at Easter Road is a chance to increase our points tally and also a dress rehearsal for the up coming Scottish Cup game at Celtic Park against the Edinburgh side.
