2001/02

Investment in Youth pays dividends.

At the start of the new season Glenwood Rovers were a club on the brink of extinction; no manager, no money and no support. Glenwood legend Niall Ward took the reins and found himself at a club 85 million euro in debt. Don Kiernan went to pastures new, while Shane O'Briens club sponsored car was found by the River Dodder, just 2 miles from Stadium Loretto. His body, to this day, has not been found. Ward was forced to rely on youth, and a new breed of up and coming players. The average age of the squad dropped from 32 to 24 (thanks not only to the influx of youth but also to the sudden departure of Shane O'Brien senior) Brian O'Brien and Mick McBride were regulars in a squad which finally found its footing in Division 1 of the AUL League. After a shaky start to the season, Glenwood went on a run of 10 games with just the one defeat. Solid at the back, dogged in midfield and skillful up front, Glenwood put the previous seasons disaster behind them. An extended cup run, which brought the club to the semi finals of the Elastoplast Cup was just reward for a highly rewarding season. Roll on 2002/03.

League (H) Kinsealy 2-2 Roche, McBride

League (H) St Nicholas 2-3 Dunne, Langford

Cup (A) St Nicholas 0-4

League (A) Naas 2-6 Dunne, Foley

League (H) Ashbourne 1-0 Langford

League (A) St Columbans 2-2 Roche, Dunne

E Cup (H) Elm Mount 5-2 Dunne 3, Foley, O O'Brien

Friendly (A) Shamrock Utd 2-2 Dunne, B O'Brien

League (H) St Columbans 6-1 Dunne 3, Foley, Roche, B O'Brien

League (A) Beech Park 4-3 Roche, Foley, Farrell, McBride

League (H) Usher Celtic 1-2 K McSherry

League (H) Greenfield Park 4-1 Foley 2, K McSherry, Langford

E Cup (A) Judes FC 2-1 Roche, McBride

League (A) Shamrock Utd 2-1 S O'Brien, Dunne

League (H) Raheny Utd 3-4 Farrell, O O'Brien, Waters

E Cup (A) Shamrock Utd 3-0 Roche, Dunne, Bell

E Cup (N) Marks Celtic 0-1

League (A) Greenfield Park 2-5 B O'Brien, Dunne

League (H) Beech Park 1-2 Roche

League (A) Ashbourne 4-2 S O'Brien, Dunne, Roche 2

League (A) Raheny Utd 2-2 Foley, Roche

League (A) St Nicholas 0-3

League (A) Marks Celtic 0-2

League (A) Kinsealy 1-1 Dunne

League (H) Naas Utd 2-3 Roche 2

League (H) Marks Celtic 2-3 Foley, B O'Brien

Final League Position; 6th

Player of the Year 2001/02 - Brian Gilroy

2nd Place Player of the Year - Johnny Roche

3rd Place Player of the Year - Dave Farrell

P 16 W 8 D 2 L 6 F 37 A 32