Clockwork Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 Linfield 5 points clear again after a 7-0 demolition of Carrick at Windsor, a hattrick for Lavery. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56386003 Larne see off the Swifts. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56387497 Glentoran beat Warrenpoint. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56388540 Cliftonville beat Glenavon. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56360634 And Ballymena beat Portadown, so no draws this weekend https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56387496 Linfield top P 24 Pts 51, second Coleraine P 23 Pts 46, third Larne P 23 Pts 40, fourth Glentoran P 22 Pts 39, fifth Crusaders P 24 Pts 39 and sixth Cliftonville P 25 Pts 39 Bottom half: Seventh Ballymens P 23 Pts 34, eighth Glenavon P 22 Pts 31, ninth Warrenpoint Town P 22 Pts 23, Portadown P 22 Pts 15, eleventh Carrick Rangers P 22 Pts 13, bottom Dungannon Swifts P 22 Pts 12A real hamming for Carrick at the weekend, think I might give the highlights show a miss tonight!! [emoji15] 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted March 15, 2021 Author Share Posted March 15, 2021 9 minutes ago, Clockwork said: A real hamming for Carrick at the weekend, think I might give the highlights show a miss tonight!! Aye they haven't done so well against the "Big Two". 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted March 19, 2021 Author Share Posted March 19, 2021 (edited) Crusaders 1 Linfield 2, good game, Linfield come back from a goal down, fairly comfortable I thought, although Crusaders had a couple of chances in the closing stages. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56460035 Edited March 20, 2021 by Jacksgranda 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted March 21, 2021 Author Share Posted March 21, 2021 Coleraine beat Carrick Rangers 1-0 yesterday to keep in Linfield's slipstream, but we need to win the games in hand to make any meaningful impression on them. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GNU_Linux Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 Plans for upgrades at Glentoran's Oval Glentoran owner Ali Pour and the NI Executive are expected to join forces to fund the long awaited redevelopment of the club's Oval stadium in a plan that could cost up to £10 million. Pictures have emerged of how the new Oval would look and if the designs come to fruition it promises to be a spectacular setting to play football in east Belfast. A planning application has been submitted by the Glens to Belfast City Council outlining the vision for the future. It states that the club plan to demolish the "existing spectator stand to be replaced with two new all seater stands totalling 4000 capacity." It adds there there will be a "reconfiguration of existing standing terracing at goal ends providing 2000 person capacity." There will also be additional car parking, improved circulation routes within the site and new turnstiles with the Oval pitch set to become an artificial 3G surface. In the 21st century Glentoran supporters have suffered more than enough false dawns in relation to their ground being redeveloped or moving stadium to elsewhere in the east of the city, but it is understood owner Pour and his consortium that took over the club and included manager Mick McDermott and coach Paul Millar, are determined to make it happen this time. British Iranian businessman Pour took control of the Oval outfit in the middle of 2019 and by early 2020 Glentoran were debt free having years before been almost £2 million in the red with fears that the club could go out of business. There has also been substantial investment on the pitch with high profile players brought to the club helping them to Irish Cup glory and Europa League qualification last season and a title challenge this campaign. While the Glentoran hierarchy have their eyes on winning the Irish Premiership, another huge goal is to modernise the Oval in the next couple of years. To ensure their ambitious plans are passed by the Council, Glentoran will have to undergo a consultation process where they will be expected to speak with householders, businesses and Churches in the neighbouring area, the George Best City Airport which is close by, Translink due to the railway track being nearby, the Department for Infrastructure, other relevant government departments and bodies as well as supporters. Consultation processes can take nine months to a year though that can depend on how well they go. On that score sources suggest no issues which could halt the project are expected. The biggest factor of course will be who pays for it and that's where public money will come in. Previously a government consultation had recommended Glentoran receive an investment of £10 million to upgrade the Oval as part of the sub regional stadia programme. That was several years ago. Much water has flowed under the bridge since then. The £10 million for the Oval was part of a £36.2 million government package dating back to 2015. In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph last year Sports Minister Deirdre Hargey said there was no guarantee the finance would go to the original designated areas insisting that she wanted to make sure “it is going to the right places”. Just last month, DUP MP for Belfast East Gavin Robinson called on the Sinn Fein Minister to engage with Glentoran about the issue and to treat the matter with "urgency". Regardless of when it is discussed, there will be an expectancy at Stormont that Glentoran pump money into the redevelopment themselves to aid any government funding that may come their way. Back in 2016 this newspaper reported how plans at that time for a 'new' Oval included turning the pitch 90 degrees from its present position. Today Glentoran fans are dreaming of a successful side playing on their field of dreams in a high class modern stadium.[/url] 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clockwork Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 Plans for upgrades at Glentoran's Oval Glentoran owner Ali Pour and the NI Executive are expected to join forces to fund the long awaited redevelopment of the club's Oval stadium in a plan that could cost up to £10 million. Pictures have emerged of how the new Oval would look and if the designs come to fruition it promises to be a spectacular setting to play football in east Belfast. A planning application has been submitted by the Glens to Belfast City Council outlining the vision for the future. It states that the club plan to demolish the "existing spectator stand to be replaced with two new all seater stands totalling 4000 capacity." It adds there there will be a "reconfiguration of existing standing terracing at goal ends providing 2000 person capacity." There will also be additional car parking, improved circulation routes within the site and new turnstiles with the Oval pitch set to become an artificial 3G surface. In the 21st century Glentoran supporters have suffered more than enough false dawns in relation to their ground being redeveloped or moving stadium to elsewhere in the east of the city, but it is understood owner Pour and his consortium that took over the club and included manager Mick McDermott and coach Paul Millar, are determined to make it happen this time. British Iranian businessman Pour took control of the Oval outfit in the middle of 2019 and by early 2020 Glentoran were debt free having years before been almost £2 million in the red with fears that the club could go out of business. There has also been substantial investment on the pitch with high profile players brought to the club helping them to Irish Cup glory and Europa League qualification last season and a title challenge this campaign. While the Glentoran hierarchy have their eyes on winning the Irish Premiership, another huge goal is to modernise the Oval in the next couple of years. To ensure their ambitious plans are passed by the Council, Glentoran will have to undergo a consultation process where they will be expected to speak with householders, businesses and Churches in the neighbouring area, the George Best City Airport which is close by, Translink due to the railway track being nearby, the Department for Infrastructure, other relevant government departments and bodies as well as supporters. Consultation processes can take nine months to a year though that can depend on how well they go. On that score sources suggest no issues which could halt the project are expected. The biggest factor of course will be who pays for it and that's where public money will come in. Previously a government consultation had recommended Glentoran receive an investment of £10 million to upgrade the Oval as part of the sub regional stadia programme. That was several years ago. Much water has flowed under the bridge since then. The £10 million for the Oval was part of a £36.2 million government package dating back to 2015. In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph last year Sports Minister Deirdre Hargey said there was no guarantee the finance would go to the original designated areas insisting that she wanted to make sure “it is going to the right places”. Just last month, DUP MP for Belfast East Gavin Robinson called on the Sinn Fein Minister to engage with Glentoran about the issue and to treat the matter with "urgency". Regardless of when it is discussed, there will be an expectancy at Stormont that Glentoran pump money into the redevelopment themselves to aid any government funding that may come their way. Back in 2016 this newspaper reported how plans at that time for a 'new' Oval included turning the pitch 90 degrees from its present position. Today Glentoran fans are dreaming of a successful side playing on their field of dreams in a high class modern stadium.[/url]Wonderful old arena, a decent revamp welcome and long overdue. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted March 24, 2021 Author Share Posted March 24, 2021 9 hours ago, Clockwork said: Wonderful old arena, a decent revamp welcome and long overdue. Aye, it'll look good when it's done, always liked going there. Last night Linfield succumbed to a last minute Ballymena winners at the Showgrounds, but Coleraine could only draw at Glenavon. The Blues are going to win the league and Coleraine will regret their disastrous start. Dungannon got a welcome win, Dean Shiels first I think, and Carrick win a quite amazing game against Portadown at Taylors Avenue, 5-3 after being 2 goals down. Glentoran win at Warrenpoint, Coleraine now 7 points behind with 2 games in hand. Linfield - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56502616 Coleraine - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56504861 Carrick - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56503257 Dungannon - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56504862 Glentoran - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56503258 And Shane Lavery gets called up to the Northern Ireland squad. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56471317 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clockwork Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 Aye, it'll look good when it's done, always liked going there. Last night Linfield succumbed to a last minute Ballymena winners at the Showgrounds, but Coleraine could only draw at Glenavon. The Blues are going to win the league and Coleraine will regret their disastrous start. Dungannon got a welcome win, Dean Shiels first I think, and Carrick win a quite amazing game against Portadown at Taylors Avenue, 5-3 after being 2 goals down. Glentoran win at Warrenpoint, Coleraine now 7 points behind with 2 games in hand. Linfield - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56502616 Coleraine - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56504861 Carrick - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56503257 Dungannon - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56504862 Glentoran - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56503258 And Shane Lavery gets called up to the Northern Ireland squad. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56471317Confidence boosting win for the SkyBlues, flattered to deceive again this season perhaps? What a turnaround for Carrick last night though. Without relegation to worry about this season hopefully they can take stock, sort some of their defensive issues out, and enjoy a much better season next year without spending the whole term propping up the rest. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanFan Posted March 27, 2021 Share Posted March 27, 2021 How long before Linfield is a full-time squad? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted March 27, 2021 Author Share Posted March 27, 2021 Here - https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/linfield/linfield-are-set-to-launch-full-time-football-plans-despite-covid-19-pandemic-says-pat-fenlon-39997284.html 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted March 27, 2021 Author Share Posted March 27, 2021 Coleraine blow it - quelle surprise. 2-1 to Cliftonville. Linfield kick off at Shamrock Park in 35 minutes, 7 points clear with Coleraine having 2 games in hand atm 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted March 28, 2021 Author Share Posted March 28, 2021 Linfield 10 points clear - after winning at Shamrock Park. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56540313 10 man Coleraine lose at Solitude. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56551250 Third, two points behind the Bannsiders, are the much improved Glentoran, who must also be regretting their disastrous start to the campaign. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56551791 Crusaders in free fall Larne fourth after a draw with Glenavon. P 26 Pts 45 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56550262 Cliftonville fifth, P 27 Pts 43 Ballymena up to sixth P 27 Pts 42 after a 5-1 win over the Swifts. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56550262 The rapidly fading Crusaders seventh P 27 Pts 39. Stephen Baxter needs to improve things quickly? Glenavon eighth, P 26 Pts 36 Warrenpoint Town ninth, P 26 Pts 26, after a 1-1 draw at Taylor's Avenue https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56540312 Look away @Clockwork Portadown tenth P 25 Pts 18 Carrick eleventh P 26 Pts 17 and Dungannon Swifts twelfth P 26 Pts 15 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted March 30, 2021 Author Share Posted March 30, 2021 (edited) Coleraine v Larne tonight (among others). Must win for the Bannsiders, so it'll probably be a draw. See it live! HT: Coleraine 1 Larne 0. Coleraine somewhat fortunate to be in the lead, Larne still look the more likely team. FT: Coleraine 2 Larne 0. Coleraine caught Larne cold at the start of the second half and held on fairly comfortably for the 3 points without ever looking great. Still. it's a win. Edited March 30, 2021 by Jacksgranda 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted March 31, 2021 Author Share Posted March 31, 2021 Coleraine - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56580720 Ballymena up to 4th - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56580721 Swifts, down to 10 men, crushed by Glenavon - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56585206 Crusaders get a win at last, beating Portadown - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56582610 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted April 3, 2021 Author Share Posted April 3, 2021 Crusaders win again,1-0 at Ballymena last night. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted April 4, 2021 Author Share Posted April 4, 2021 Coleriane drew with Glenavon again, 0-0 at the Coleraine Showgrounds this time, leaving Linfield with one hand on the Gibson Cup after a 2-0 win at Stangmore. I forgot this match was on and only caught the last 10 minutes. I thought to myself "The Swifts are playing well, they deserve to be level", and it was only when Lavery scored the Blues' second I realised Linfield were playing in their away kit! Coleraine https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56626295 Linfield https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56626850 Glentoran 4 Portadown 0 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56624394 Larne 3 Carrick 0 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56626849 Warrenpoint Town 0 Cliftonville 5, McCrudden getting a hattrick https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56625614 And Ballymena v Crusaders from Friday night. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56619103 Linfield 9 points clear of Coleraine who have only 1 game in hand now, with Glentoran third on 51 points, 3 behind Coleraine with a game in hand, so Coleraine might not even finish runners up. Larne are fourth another 3 points back with 48 points from 28 games. Stephen Baxter not happy about scheduling of matches. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56619109 Well. he can't be accused of using it as an excuse for losing. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GNU_Linux Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 All Ireland League back on the table A potential All-Ireland League is back on the table and will be a joint venture between the Irish Football Association and Football Association of Ireland, in conjunction with UEFA. A proposal from Kerry businessman Kieran Lucid to set up an 'All-Island League' two years ago was kicked into touch by the Irish FA in October 2019. But Sunday Life Sport has learned, with a third party no longer involved, there has been a dramatic change of heart at Windsor Park, with the IFA and the FAI having spent considerable time exploring the feasibility of a cross-border League competition. "Talks are unofficial and at a very sensitive stage," says an insider. "UEFA want to encourage improved standards in weaker Leagues and this is potentially one avenue they feel can deliver improved standards." There are many European countries eyeing up the potential for cross-border Leagues and last month Belgian sides voted in favour of a potential collaboration with clubs in the neighbouring Netherlands. Clubs involved believe they can earn an eye-watering £400m from TV rights alone, a prospect that would be hard to reject out of hand. Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia are understood to be considering a joint League and there have also been reports of an 'Atlantic League' made up of clubs from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Scotland and even the Republic of Ireland. But Sunday Life Sport has been told a cross-border League on the island of Ireland is more likely, though nothing concrete has been decided. "It is clear the mood music has changed within UEFA and that is filtering down through the member associations," added our source. "The mood music has also changed within the Irish FA with President David Martin now open to the idea, although Chief Executive Patrick Nelson is still dead against it. "UEFA are preparing to make changes to the Champions League from 2024 onwards, this will be discussed at a meeting on April 19, and the potential for implementing joint Leagues will also be brought up at that meeting." Sunday Life Sport has been told that a new All-Ireland League backed by UEFA, the IFA and the FAI will bring in significantly more finance than the Lucid proposal. The Kerryman engaged Dutch consultants Hypercube to look into every aspect of a proposed cross-border League and concluded such a venture would rake in £6m. UEFA Chief Executive Alexander Ceferin recently confirmed discussions about regional Leagues have taken place, underlining the change in stance from European football's governing body. "More and more countries are interested in the possibility of a regional League because that would increase the value of clubs, as well as income from sponsors and the sale of TV rights," said Ceferin. "UEFA, in principle, has nothing against regional Leagues. The main problem is how to go from those Leagues to European competitions. UEFA would have to solve that problem. "Regional Leagues are a serious undertaking and nothing concrete has been decided yet." 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted April 7, 2021 Author Share Posted April 7, 2021 Meanwhile... Glentoran, seemingly coasting to victory at Ballymena, concede 2 in the last 15 minutes and have to settle for a point. I thought it was a penalty whenever I saw it, so don't know where the "controversial penalty" comes from. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56653318 Larne win at Portadown. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56652890 Carrick and Crues draw at Taylor's Avenue. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56656460 Cliftonville beat the Swifts. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56656459 And Glenavon beat Warrenpoint. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56653319 Oran Kearney whistles in the dark. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56647528 If Coleraine lose tonight, Linfield have the title in the bag. If Coleraine win - a mighty big "if", imo - there's six points in it, albeit Coleraine would still have a game in hand. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted April 7, 2021 Author Share Posted April 7, 2021 HT: Linfield 2 Coleraine 0 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clockwork Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 Meanwhile... Glentoran, seemingly coasting to victory at Ballymena, concede 2 in the last 15 minutes and have to settle for a point. I thought it was a penalty whenever I saw it, so don't know where the "controversial penalty" comes from. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56653318 Larne win at Portadown. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56652890 Carrick and Crues draw at Taylor's Avenue. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56656460 Cliftonville beat the Swifts. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56656459 And Glenavon beat Warrenpoint. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56653319 Oran Kearney whistles in the dark. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56647528 If Coleraine lose tonight, Linfield have the title in the bag. If Coleraine win - a mighty big "if", imo - there's six points in it, albeit Coleraine would still have a game in hand.What a goal for Cathair Friel’s equaliser at Taylor’s last night, Crues should have scored a hatful by then though to be fair. Just shows how low in confidence they are I suppose. Carrick were shocking at the back first half, but managed to hold things together over the second 45, encouraging stuff. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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