Shels, Bohs and Rock 'n' Roll

Football and music have always been bedfellows. Strangely, the connection has never been quite as prominent in Ireland as the UK, where Oasis proclaim their love for Manchester City and Primal Scream support Celtic fanatically. Willing to seize a golden goal opportunity, however, Dublin power-pop trio Crush made a little history recently by becoming the first Irish group to play before an FAI cup tie. Crush picked their moment well, a Dublin Derby clash between Bohs and Shels. The venue for the occasion was none other than Phibsboro's Theatre of Dreams, Dalymount Park, which has hosted musical luminaries such as Thin Lizzy, Bob Marley, The Boomtown Rats and, more recently, the Sunstroke one-day festivals. The Dalymount officials, on the night itself, seem a little unsure of how to handle the concept of a guest list, adhering to the "it wouldn't matter if you were U2" line. Luckily the minor crisis is averted in true rock 'n' footie fashion when Jock McDonald from the Crush management team pulls out a copy of the James O'Donnell Tribute to Wim Jansen CD. The songs for the Bhoys CD causes as much amazement from the officials as George Best dropping in looking for a game. Crush's soundcheck booms around the stadium to the bemused early arrivers. Amazingly, such a small, standard PA carries the sound around the park perfectly as if the terraces and stands of Dalymount were welcoming the return of rock. Soundcheck completed, I grab a few moments with Crush in their mobile dressing room (oh OK, van). I'm relieved to discover that I'm in the presence of Hoops fans and feel a little less alone in the Bohs crowd. Drummer Keith Walker is blunt about why they chose to do this unusual gig. "Sure, we're doing it for Irish football and music, the FAI and the youngsters. Then again, we'd do anything to get in free to a football game! But seriously, it was a wonderful opportunity for us. Tony Canning had bounced the idea by Roddy Collins from Bohs and they were well up for it in the interests of boosting Irish football and music. We see this as part of a series of firsts. We're playing here tonight fresh from doing a gig in UCD." "That's fine for you! You always get the groupies," protests Robbie. So is Vinny the babe magnet of Crush?"As long as we're not related to them or they're over 60, it's grand." Tonight marks the start of a hectic schedule for Crush. They've moulded their sound over the course of a whopping year and a half residency in Bruxelles. Keith is well aware of the thrills and spills of this game, having been through the mill with Power of Dreams. "We've just finished a five-track industry sampler which is getting an amazing reaction, with showcase shows in the Viper Rooms possible in May and five dates in Germany confirmed for late March. When we did the South By Southwest festival in Texas last year we discovered that we must have a sampler with high production standards. It's something a lot of bands don't fully realise." The result is a punchy EP ingeniously packaged to fold out into a press release. Crush pen infectious slices of melodic, high-energy pop that even Bohs fans can like. Their current offering displays an incredible versatility and confidence, from the melancholic 'Radio Telescope' to the punky 'Plastic World'. Crush play one number to bring us to kick-off time. The Bohemians' team decide to jig in time to the music. Despite their rock 'n' roll antics though, the cool, calm heads of Shelbourne win the day with a scorching Stephen Geoghegan goal in the 24th minute. I was in two minds about who I was rooting for: Shels had thrashed Rovers 3-0 in the first round, but then again seeing Bohs win anything would be even more tragic. At half-time, the reaction to Crush is extraordinary. Kids who have possibly never seen a live rock band in their lives are enraptured, running up to check out what is going on. Everyone seemed to get in on the special, slightly surreal atmosphere. The After Match verdict is heartbreak for Bohs but a well-deserved victory for Crush. Bohemians Secretary Gerry Cuffe is delighted with the response. "It was something very new, pleasurable and positive. We are very open to events like this as Bohs is a very progressive club and is always looking for a new angle." Well, since they're out of the Cup, they have to try and progress somehow. As for the band, a residency in a much bigger arena is certain to be their destiny