Mé féin

Yep - that's me. (The other photo was probably worse - eh?). I am Johnny Ward (Seán Mac an Bháird) and I am the Editor of this website.

I am a Galway United fan, looking forward so much to our first season back at the top for a while. Not so long ago, my family purchased a computer, and once knowledge was aquired that we were to get the internet, I decided to produce a National League of Ireland website. I was stunned that there were no exclusively NL websites at the time.

Now that the site is finally available to millions of souls all over the globe, I sit back and reflect on the countless hours of research and keyboard bashing that was put in to make it. I am proud of the site, and thankful to those souls who aided me in the production of this site, especially the Editors of the super unofficial Bohs site, and Julian Canny of excellent Galway United site "Into the West".

If you happen to spot me at a NL ground, which is most likely as I hope to attend every United game this season, please approach me and tell me what you think of this site. I really value your opinion and your wishes for what this NL site should look like. Whatever way you like - please inform me of your opinions.

You may notice that much reference in this site is made to the whole Premiership thing, and while all the rantings of frustration may be too high in quantity for some people, I do not apoligise for my persistent reference to the ridiculous attitudes of our people towards soccer. I have been inspired in my beliefs by the likes of Pat Dolan and Daniel McDonnell of "Oriel Web".(I would, however, like to stress that my views on soccer are not legitimate indications of the opinions on similar matters of the two aforementioned individuals). I am utterly convinced that the Premiership is the principal reason for the underachievment of OUR LEAGUE. The Premiership has helped to make many Irish people as interested in the fortunes of the English National team as how Ireland are doing. The Premiership has persuaded many Irish people to stay away from the NL. The Premiership, an English league, is seen as the league with our representatives in European competition, in general sa tír seo.

All of this sickens me. I was once a huge Premiership fan, lured towards it by our supposedly Irish National Station, RTÉ. I attended my first NL match in March 1997, and gradually lost interest in the Premiership, while also losing my apathy towards the NL. Last year, I missed one Galway United league game. I have continually given my views to Premiership supporters and hence severly altered warped mentalities. You should do so also, if this league is to flourish.

I am passionate about the NL. I am a GAA fan. I am an American Football fan. I'm 17 years old and studying (occasionally!) for the Leaving Cert year. I write for the Galway United match programme, and occasionally for the Tuam Herald. Journalism is what I hope to do, and if I do become a Journalist, I will still promote the eircom League. I will never write about the Premiership, relative to Éire, because I am a person of principal in this case. I am a National League fan first and foremost, hence my desire to witness its prosperity fuels my despise of Premiership support in Ireland. Nationalism drives me and a love of soccer. I will battle on. We will battle on. Ní neart go cur le chéile.

Johnny Ward (Seán Mac an Bháird),

Newbridge,
Co. na Gallimhe, 30-Bealtaine, 1999.