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STEPPING DOWN

I have decided, after long and careful consideration, to retire as Press Officer of the Cork AUL at the end of this season.

I really enjoyed meeting the teams, the managers and players and referees at so many games, in all kinds of weathers, on all kinds of pitches, over the past 31 years.

It will leave a big gap in my life but I must say I am looking forward to “normal” weekends.

I wish the best to you all and to all those who work for the benefit of local football. I will no doubt be seeing you around as I intend to call to the local venues at match-time, certainly on the fine days!

--- Billy

Comments

  1. Thank you for all your magnificent reports, photographs and the incredible service you've given to everyone connected with AUL football in Cork.
    You'll be missed but here's hoping you'll have plenty of memorable "normal" weekends in the future.

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  2. Stephen O Connell1:33 pm

    Billy you are a legend and a gentleman.A great volunteer to local soccer. One question Billy,
    Whats it like having taken more pictures in 31 years than a NASA satelite? Best of luck Billy

    Stephen O Connell

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  3. Timmy Kelleher Glen Celtic. Billy thanks for the years of wonderful coverage of the AUL scene; And personally i think there is no one out there that could replace you. Enjoy your retirement, you deserve it.

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  4. billy ,very sorry to hear your decision to leave the local soccer scene ,you were the voice of all the teams in cork
    they will be very hard boots to fill
    all the best for the future
    sean c/o city wanderers fc

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  5. billy,hopefully you can be persuaded but if not,i would like to thank you for the unrivalled coverage on reporting and the photographs making sunday league players feel like premiership superstars,you are an absolute gentleman and will never be replaced,danny quinlan and all from blarney st

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  6. Anonymous11:07 am

    Billy,

    I am very sorry to learn of your decision to step down as press officer of the Cork AUL. This will create a huge void that will be very difficult to fill. On behalf of everybody associated with Grangevale AFC, thank you for the coverage given to our club down through the years. Best wishes for the future and of course you will always be very welcome at Grangevale Park in the future.

    Kind regards,
    Seán McCarthy
    Chairman, Grangevale AFC
    www.grangevaleafc.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous11:08 am

    billy,hopefully you can be persuaded but if not,i would like to thank you for the unrivalled coverage on reporting and the photographs making sunday league players feel like premiership superstars,you are an absolute gentleman and will never be replaced,danny quinlan and all from blarney st

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous11:09 am

    billy ,very sorry to hear your decision to leave the local soccer scene ,you were the voice of all the teams in cork
    they will be very hard boots to fill
    all the best for the future
    sean c/o city wanderers fc

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous11:16 am

    Billy,
    It is with deep regret that I hear of your impending retirement.You are going to leave a gap that will be almost impossible to fill.
    When one speaks of the Cork AUL the name of Billy Lyons is known nationwide and im sure this announcement will be the major talking point with all aul sides in cork this weekend. On a personel note I would like to thank you for your coverage of my own club Ballyvolane. Your unbiased reporting, care for players and managers and superb paper coverage along with your courteous manner made you popular with all teams. This along with your website has been invaluable to the cork soccer public.
    I wish you well Billy and you are most welcome to visit Ballyvolane Park whenever you chose. I hope we will see a lot of you still over the coming years.
    From everyone in Ballyvolane F.C. Thanks!
    Derek Mellerick.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous11:17 am

    Hello Billy,Just logged on your blog and i see your retiring. cant believe it. on behave of myself and all at Casement Celtic i wish you all the best in your retirement. Youll be sorely missed. Hail rain or snow you were there so thanks again for such great coverage of Cork local football. Surely we will cross paths again soon probably at some local AUL 2 match. Cheers Billy and good luck.

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  11. Anonymous11:18 am

    Hi Billy just logged on to the site to see your message.Firstly Bill on a personall level i wish you all the best in your gardening holiday my years of playing and managing have been made so much more pleasurable with your comments and pictures and i know all of the lads i have played with and managed will have the same thoughts.On behalf of the club we canot speak highly enough of the exposure you have given us over the years and we all feel you will be sadly missed and it goes without saying we would love to see you in Leeds Park at any time as you have been a good friend to us and i know Dean will never be the same again only time he seems to play well is when your around.Once again thanks for all your help and i will talk to you soon.Regards Donal

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  12. Anonymous11:20 am

    Hi Billy, you have decided to apply for a free weekend; i cant think of anyone that deserves it more. You'll leave a void in reporting that will not alone be hard to fill; but if it is that will be very hard to live up to. You've been an incredible force in the aul in all the years i have been involved and it truely wont be the same without you. You have given your incredible service for an awesome 31 years, i have met you on a few occassions and you truely are one of life's gentlemen, I wish you and your family all the best, thanks for all the time and effort and you are always welcome down in the lee road any weekend, Pat Callanan, on behalf of Wilton United.

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  13. Anonymous11:21 am

    Hi Billy
    Cant belive your hanging up the note pad and camera.You have done great work for the league and local football through the years.Just to wish you all the best in the future in whatever you do thanks again and best wishes from all at Wilton United - Patrick Rocks

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  14. Gordon Lynch Inter City Celtic1:11 pm

    Hi billy
    Gutted to hear your leaving the limelight, i can only hope the next press officer will show the same commitment, dedication and enthusiasm that you have shown over the last 31 years. You will be sadly missed. Enjoy your gardening leave! Best wishes from Gordon Lynch and all at Inter City Celtic Fc

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  15. Anonymous6:48 pm

    Billy.
    I am very sorry to hear of your decision to step down as press officer of the Cork AUL.The next guy has huge boots to fill.On behalf of everybody associated with Brooklodge United,thanks for all the coverage you've given us all through the years.You have done great work for the league and local football. Best wishes for the future.

    Best wishes,
    Cormac O'Keeffe
    Treasurer, Brooklodge Utd. FC
    www.brooklodge.wetpaint.com

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  16. Billy, thanks for everything you are a true legend of cork football and will be sorely missed.
    happy retirement
    from, all at Leeds afc.

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  17. Anonymous8:48 am

    Well Billy the AUL will be a less off place without your larger than life presence. Thanks for your years of service and excellent reporting for all the management staff of Douglas Halls AUL side.
    Enjoy your much deserved retirement.

    Rory O'Sullivan.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous4:19 pm

    Billy Lyons,,,,,,,,,,,,,a true AUL living ledgend

    Gavin

    Grattan Utd

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  19. Anonymous12:17 pm

    Hi Billy

    Wishing you all the best for the future billy. it will be a sad day for all in the AUL , your hard work and commetment to local soccer in cork for 31 years can never be repaid the Next person has a Huge task ahead of him. Enjoy the Free weekends ahead. you Should go into the Hall of Fame in the cork AUl Now . Your always Very Welcome at Matches in Kilboy Park Cloyne

    Best wishes
    Brendan O Connor - Churchvilla Fc

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  20. Anonymous2:08 pm

    Billy,
    You will be missed. Thanks for your years of dedication and hard work. I know everyone in the AUL appreciated the hard work you always did...
    From all at Innishvilla AFC.

    ReplyDelete

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