View from the Stands: Gary 'Banger' Bryson

The Listener recently caught up with a man who is widely considered to have been one of Lisahally's most dedicated fans. However not only was he an avid fan, Gary 'Banger' Bryson is sometimes viewed as one of the 'Lost Boys' of Lisahally, because despite his undoubted ability, 'Banger' never got the chance to display his skills in a Lisahally shirt. As a result, he is often viewed as the Andy Reid to Topher Whoriskey's Giovanni Trapattoni. Speaking from the Southern Hemisphere, Bryson shares his thoughts.

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Gary Bryson before scoring the winning penalty during last year's annual 'Married Men versus Single Men' game. (Photo: Ronan Whoriskey)

Lisahally Listener: Good evening Gary, The Listener is delighted to have the opportunity to interview one of the greatest goal-scorers in Strathfoyle history. How are you?
Gary Bryson: Yeah I'm not bad, all is very well over here in Australia!

LL: Now that you are based in Australia, do you miss getting up on those cold Sunday mornings to watch your favourite local team?
GB: I never miss the cold weather back home but I do miss the games. Great entertainment provided week in week out.

LL: Have you been keeping up to date with the fortunes of Lisahally?
GB: Yeah now that I've moved to a city in Brisbane I can get online more and keep up to date with folk back home.

LL: What do you think about the change of management?
GB: I was always a big Topher fan but I was delighted when Rory decided to take the job. When he retired I said many times that he would go into management. You can ask him yourself and he will tell you. I did however recommend him for the Maydown job. [smiles cheekily]

LL: With Lisahally currently top of the league and on course for promotion, do you think they can maintain their form? If so, who do you think will be key to success?
GB: I can't really comment as I havent watched many of the games. That said, from what I've heard from Mark Duffy, he should get the Player of the Year award. Although I don't know if he is being biased but I wouldnt put Mark down for one to blow his own trumpet. [laughs]


LL: You have built up a reputation as being a deadly finisher, with many Stra-Heads dubbing you 'Van Bangelrooy', given your similarity to Ruud Van Nistelrooij. Do you ever feel that your talents were unduly overlooked by the Lisahally management?
GB: Listen, when I was younger I was always confident in terms of scoring goals. I think the problem with me not making it at Lisah' was the fact my that my overall ability was overlooked. Most Stra Heads dubbed me a 'joker' and claimed that I didnt take it seriously enough. With Topher being an old-fashioned manager too, I was never going to be considered for a callup. I think I was was judged on everything other than my goalscoring credentials, which was a pity.

LL: You famously scored the winning penalty in last year's 'Married Men versus Single Men' game and with this years' coming up, will you be making a reappearance?
GB: I'm afraid I wont be making an appearance this year. I would love to land back on a helicopter and grab the winner but that's something which I don't think will happen.

LL: Who would you consider to be Lisahally's best ever player?
GB: Lawrence 'Libby' Mullan is my favourite all time Lisah' player. I've played against him for the Single Men and he's a hard player to get past.

LL: Any final thoughts?
GB: I'd like to tell the Lisah' players to keep barking the way they have been barking and hopefully the league title is on its way. I also would like to bet anyone who believes the single men will be beaten by the married men this year cause it aint gona happen. Thank you Listener!

Lucky Lisahally Edge Victory

Strand United 1-2 Lisahally (22.08.10)

Lisahally continued their campaign for promotion on Sunday morning with a hard-fought victory over Strand United at Lisnagelvin. Splendid goals from striker Barry Murray and diminutive midfield dynamo, Peter Doherty overturned the early 1-0 deficit to complete the comeback and seal victory for the Strathfoyle men.

Fresh off their momentous 6-0 opening day victory over Beechtree, Lisahally were keen to maintain their push for promotion with a win over Strand. There were several changes made to the team which triumphed so easily over Beechtree, with versatile defender, Kieran McGlinchey moved to centre-back and speed-demon Paul Lowry starting on the right-wing. Decky Brown partnered Noel O'Donnell in midfield, while Emmett Kirk joined Barry Murray in attack. However, the real talking-point was undoubtedly the controversial decision to start with talisman and self-styled superstar, Mark Duffy, on the bench.

Strand started the game the livelier of the two sides, playing some attractive football and exploiting the gaps in Lisahally's untried midfield. Lisahally's midfield were evidently frustrated by Strand, as Noel O'Donnell uncharacteristically lost possession and Decky Brown committed a number of reckless fouls in dangerous positions. Indeed, this would prove to be their undoing, as a poorly timed tackle from Decky Brown gifted the opposition a freekick outside the box. A quick pass into the box landed perfectly at a Strand player's feet, who wasted no time in smashing the ball past the Lisahally goalkeeper.

Lisahally's sense of urgency was quickly heightened and Paul Lowry moved into the more familiar forward position, with Kirk assuming the right wing role. Strand instantly felt the impact of Lowry's lightning pace, as he raced clear of the last man, only to prematurely blast his shot straight at the Strand goalkeeper. As the Strand management breathed a sigh of relief, Lisahally fans and coaches alike were furious and berated their team. However, the equaliser came minutes before half-time, when Barry Murray charged after a loose ball and catching the Strand goalkeeper off his line, found the net with a fantastic placed shot.

In what seemed to be a stark indication of intent, Lisahally made two changes at half-time, with Mark Duffy introduced at right-back and Lisahally's exotic new signing, Jé Roberto, replacing Decky Brown. Lisahally appeared to be much more assured in possession and disciplined in defence in the second half, but they struggled to make any clear-cut chances, such was the determination of Strand's defence. Aidy O'Kane created a number of chances when he surged down the left wing, but the majority of Barry Murrary's shots were blocked by the heroic defending of Strand. In a scramble in the box following a Peter Doherty cross, Paul Lowry found himself in acres of space, but the striker blazed the ball over the bar. Lowry was then substituted for Cathal O'Kane, who slotted in at left-wing, while Peter Doherty assumed the forward position.

Cathal O'Kane proved to be an inspired substitution yet again, as he linked up with Aidy O'Kane and threaded a marvelous through-ball to Peter Doherty, who skilfully rounded the goalkeeper before drilling the ball into the net to make it 2-1 to Lisahally. However, following the goal, the Strathfoyle men adopted a defensive mentality and played quite deep, encouraging the Strand attack to commit men forward, which caused considerable distress for the Lisahally defence, who, by sheer luck avoided conceding. Defensive lynchpin, Kieran McGlinchey, was taken off towards the end of the game as a precaution and Noel O'Donnell filled in admirably at centre-back for the final five minutes of the game as Lisahally fought to hold on to their lead.

Lisahally Off To A Flyer

Lisahally 6-0 Beechtree (15.08.10)

The reign of Brown and Kirk was officially underway as Lisahally opened the new D&D season at the wonderful Strathfoyle Arena on a fine August morning with an impressive 6-0 victory over the recently relegated Beechtree. Goals from Noel O’Donnell, Emmett Kirk, Cathal O’Kane and Paul Lowry condemned Beechtree to an utterly embarrassing rout, raising questions as to the former Premier Division side’s capacity for a promotion drive.

Lisahally made an immediate impact on the game, flooding men forward in numerous attacks on the Beechtree goal and their positive attitude was soon rewarded, when Paul Lowry was fouled in the box, winning a penalty. However, seasoned utility player, Jai White, was unable to convert the penalty. Nevertheless, it was not long before Lisahally took the lead, with a tremendous strike from Noel O’Donnell. Beechtree failed to respond and Lisahally continued their relentless assault on goal, with former Letterkenny Rovers and Institute maestro, Paul Lowry creating numerous chances for himself, only to shamefully squander them. Naturally, the vibrant Lisahally supporters teased the little man, but they quickly forgave him, attributing his utterly reckless finishing to the fact that he was carrying a slight knock.

A frantic scramble in the Beechtree box following a corner saw Emmett Kirk find the net for the second, just before Lisahally maverick, and self-professed role-model Mark Duffy, hobbled off with a mysterious leg injury (in all probability sustained the night before). He was replaced by "Iron" Dan Collins, who had previously voiced his disapproval over what he termed the “awfully erratic selection policy” of the new management after being overlooked for the final pre-season game, saying that it was "a disgrace", complaining that he "didn't even receive a text". Noel O’Donnell’s terrifically placed shot finished a delightful Lisahally move for the third and striker Paul Lowry eventually found the net to make it 4-0 before the half-time interval.

New Lisahally management duo, Danny Brown and Rory Kirk were, as one might expect, pleased with the scoreline, but were keen to stress the importance of staying focused for the remainder of the game, asserting "We want you to play as if we're 1-0 down!". Indeed, Lisah' started the second half equally as positively, creating numerous chances, including several 'one-on-ones', but their alarmingly diabolical finishing left players and fans increasingly frustrated. On one occasion, substitute Dan Collins, to the sheer astonishment of fans, beat the offside-trap. Unfortunately his shot was hammered directly at the thankful goalkeeper. Winger Kyle Barr, who has recently returned to action following a rather lengthy sabbatical, was also subject to criticism for missing an open net.

Noting the distinct lack of guile in the Lisahally attack, the managers made some substitutions, with Cathal O'Kane entering the fray late into the second half. It proved to be an inspired substitution, as the enterprising left-footed player immediately added a goal, beating the Beechtree 'keeper from a considerable distance with an outrageous lob. Emmett Kirk grabbed his second of the game and made it six for Lisahally when he latched on to a poor kickout from the Beechtree goalkeeper, volleying the ball powerfully into the back of the net.