Noel Murray and Jimmy Ennis were two ardent Utd supporters from south Dublin who, when Utd reached the European Cup Final 1968, tried unsuccesfully  to get tickets. The had heard that a Utd supporters Branch excisted in Dublin but could never make contact so after the final they talked about forming a Branch of their own. The first meeting they had was at Jimmy's flat in Clorinda Pk. Dun Laoighare. Present on that momentious night were; Noel, Jimmy, Bernie Maguire, Rita Hughes, Frank Mullen attended the second meeting this was around August or September 1968.

 

The first thing we did was make contact with Old Trafford, Les Olive was Secretary at that time. He wrote back saying that there was already a Branch in Dublin so there was no way a second Branch would be allowed. After a few letters to and fro explaining that we had lots of people willing to join but we could not make contact with the Dublin Club could we form our own. We think that he also tried unsuccessfully to contact them as well. We then suggested that we woul be called the South Dublin Branch. This was finally accepted. An add was places in the Evening Herald and the first meeting toke place in Ross's Hotel Dun Laoghaire in May 1969.

 

In between the meetings in Jimmy's flat and the meeting in Ross's Hotel other people had come on board, Des Healy ( our first travel manager ) Paddy Larkin, Joe Dodd, Dermot Ring, Leo Flynn, Pat Whelan along with Noel, Jimmy, Bernie, Rita, Frank. This was the nucleus of the first Committee. This Committee was never elected as it was decided from the floor that the people who formed the Branch should act as the first Committee.

 

Shortly after this our first trip to Old Trafford took place (I can't remember who we played) but the all in price was  4 pound 10 shillings. Bernie Maguire was our first Secretary and Leo Flynn our first Treasurer with Noel Murray as Chairman. We wouldn't have survived without a meeting place and we have to thank Vincent Heart who as manager of Ross's Hotel never charged us for all the years we were there. Sir Matt Busby was elected as our Honory Club President and still remains so to this day.

 

We progressed from running four trips a season to the present day when we now run a trip to all Utd's home fixtures. We started off as the South Dublin Branch then we became the Dublin Branch and we are now the Ireland Branch about to celebrate our 40 th Anniversary in March 2009, with over 1.000 Members on our books. We need to thank a lot of people who gave of their time to keep the Branch running to name but a few;

Noel,Jimmy of course Frank Mullen, Des Fay, Dessie Byrne, Sean Tobin, Mick O'Toole, Shay Weafer, Bernie Maguire, Harry Smith, and to so many more many thanks for your efforts.