There was one outstanding Celt in action last night. Around 1,200 miles from Celtic Park Karl Byrne took to the stage at half-time at The Square in Santa Ponsa to cheer up the disillusioned holidaymakers.
Calling on 17 seasons experience at the Celts Well, Byrne knows every scenario although if you get to ask him he just knows everything.
Picture the scene as he dusts down his guitar around the 43 minute mark with Celtic trailing 1-0 and looking miles off it.
A sharp move down the left, KT cuts the ball back to Mika Baur and the place erupts. Cheers from south west Mallorca matching the roar in Glasgow’s east end.
What a piece of paella the job is. Waltz onto the stage in front of the big screen, belt out a few anthems, the jobs a good ‘un.
Then, one break down the right from Ferencvaros, the ball is played back and someone in a green and black shirt takes out Liam Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers to pop the ball behind Vil Sinisalo.
Who’d be a goalie? Who’d go on stage on the back of that?
Karl is yer man, adaptable for all occasions.
KARL BYRNE TAKES TO THE STAGE
And for 15 minutes there was a cheer in the air around The Square. Worries were put aside.
Being a live musician isn’t about playing music or singing.
It is about managing the audience, judging their mood, following it and leading it.
Karl is outstanding at it.
As are a couple of others out in Santa Ponsa such as Fergal McCahey in Brennan’s and further along the road Mairtin O’hUigin and Darrin Cahill in The Dubliner. They know their audience, and their audiences know them.
Unfortunately during the time Karl had packed up and headed back into the Celts Well Ferencvaros had scored again. There’s not much you can do about Daniel Arzani.
In his youth Karl overcame the disappointment of missing out at the final audition for Boyzone and has bounced back to create a fine career.
As soon as the final whistle blew on Thursday night the defiant holidaymakers headed into the bar.
With his usual mix of a bit of almost everything Karl switched attention quickly from the 90 minutes of frustrations at Celtic Park.
Soon he’ll be back on his Glasgow patch with the Toll Booth and others welcoming him back to cheer up the winter nights.
There is one smallish section of the resort known as the strip where most of the bars are Irish.
Stretching from Daniels Corner on Carrer de Ramon de Montcada along to the iconic Dubliner the Celtic influence is everywhere.
WHERE IS SANTA PONSA? HOW DO I GET THERE?
From Palma Airport it only takes 30 minutes and 50 euros by taxi to reach Santa Ponsa, a unique resort that has Celtic and Ireland at heart. Or tap on and off the A11 bus for 3.50 euros.
The Mallorcan resort has a few VIP residents including Brendan Rodgers who has a place in the more exclusive side where his neighbours include Jurgen Klopp, Robert Lewandowski and Rafael Nadal.
If you haven’t visited Santa Ponsa already you owe it to yourself to do so. It really is a special slice of Paradise tucked away in the Med, less than three hours flying time from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Prestwick.
CELTS WELL, SANTA PONSA
Over the last five summers Harry’s Big Telly at The Square has become one of Mallorca’s leading tourist attractions. Around 400 fans can view the action with screens at every angle inside the bar.
The regular bar team of Marina, Katie and Emmy are joined on matchdays by a full batch of extra staff. They certainly know their customers which is why folk return year on year. Often two or three times a year.
Providing the music and banter all summer long is Karl Byrne about to complete his 17th season. Karl is as sharp as they come with a detailed knowledge of every town in Scotland and Ireland to catch out the regulars and visitors.
Someone once described Karl as ‘the most likeable cheeky b**tard in the world’. Anyone that knows him will appreciate that description.
Every night a few ‘victims’ are selected for good natured banter. Getting the treatment is taken as a badge of honour in among a strong repertoire of tunes, many specially adapted to add a topical Celtic flavour.
She Never Stops– Michelle of Brennan’s
BRENNAN’S SPORTS BAR
Along on ‘The Strip’ at Brennan’s Sports Bar Michelle runs the show. Every year it is the first bar to fully open up. On the go from early March until the end of October.
Michelle’s commitment to improving standards saw a Tennents tap installed this year, fair to say it has been popular.
Brennan’s has a great outdoor set up with the music getting underway at 7 or 8 o’clock all the way through to 3am. The Monday Club starts with tunes at 6pm.
Brennan’s has outdoor music till 11,30pm, after that it is indoors till late, late, late.
The three distinct areas all have their own appeal, even Tuesday night’s feel like Friday’s at Brennan’s.
Fergal McCahey tends to kick things off with Pastor John, known locally as Jesus, taking the tunes indoors till closing time. Michelle spends much of her winter time in Derry and Glasgow bringing over some brilliant singers for 10 days at a time.
Further up the road on the Ramon de Montcalm is The Dubliner which has multiple screens as Sonia, Sofia and Ciaran leave no stone unturned to make matchday that bit special.
THE DUBLINER
The Dubliner is more of a night time venue, from the start of April through to mid October Mairtin O’hUigin is turning in 10 out of 10 performances alongside Darrin Cahill. It is a marathon shift from Mairtin and Darrin, the only night off they take is a day trip home to entertain at the Ballymena Shamrock.
From 9.30pm through until 3.30am the music flows. The Dubliner is popular with all ages, it even turned into the local for Fran Alonso a few years ago while he was managing the Celtic Ladies team.
The dynamic twins of Sonia and Sofia drive the highest of standards at The Dubliner. Backed up by Ciaran. Matching those high standards are Cillian and Breanna who help deliver the best in customer service.
Una Dunne, Ciarin from Errigal, Doc McCloskey and others appear in The Dubliner for 10 to 14 days at a time with Chris from Erin Go Bragh booked in for most of the season. Chris brings incredible energy and the full range of the Celtic song book to the stage.
All of the regular acts will be over from October 16-20 before the shutters are pulled down for the winter break.
Every home match two visitors to The Dubliner get to use their Season Tickets for Celtic Park. Sonia and Sofia certainly understand their customer base.
As well as the obvious Celtic attractions Santa Ponsa has a brilliant beach and great variety of restaurants offering up Spanish, Chinese and Italian food with a few Steak Houses and Burger places also popular.
Nearby are the resorts of Magaluf, worth an afternoon visit, Palma Nova and Camp de Mar to add some variety.
CLICK HERE for Who is Mairtin O’hUigin
I need to get this onto ma bucket list !