30th Nov 04. Cliftonville 2 Glentoran 1
I've read elsewhere online that Cliftonville deserved this victory tonight - well that simply isn't true.
Match Report has now been moved HERE
28th Nov 04. Got a wee bit side-tracked in Larne yesterday ... but I'm reliably informed it finished 5-0 to the Glens :-)
26th Nov 04. Larne game - What a mixed bag this Larne team are! Finished bottom of their League Cup group with only 2 wins, a 1-0 away win over the Whites after a 5-0 home defeat by the same team, and a 3-1 away win at Ballymena, once again after a home defeat by the same team! Then the League starts, and they run up 4 home wins out of 5, banging in 12 goals in the process! One thing you seem guaranteed of is it'll be entertaining, and chances are there'll be a winner as the Inver Park men have yet to draw a single game in all 15 outings this season! I'll take a repeat of the corresponding fixture from last season, if I remember correctly the Glens were 3-0 up after about 15 minutes and eventually ran out 4-1 winners.
Team selection could be interesting tomorrow, Shaun Holmes went off with ankle problems before half-time in Tuesday night's friendly and remains a doubt, I wonder will wee Tommy McCallion get a place on the bench after coming through that game as his replacement. He could well do if Andy Kilmartin hasn't already won that 'hide and seek' competition! Stephen Parkhouse may need another week or so yet, although he did feature again in Wednesday's Seconds victory in the Steel & Sons semi. Far as I know everyone else is fully fit, bar Chris Morgan who seems to play as long as he can these days. So there you go, with Portadown away to Ards and the scum home to surprise packet Limavady United there could well be a few banana-skins around tomorrow - hopefully not for us. Another 3 points please gentlemen.
Ballymac's bus will be leaving Wilgar Street at 1.45pm if you wanna tag along, some other clubs at the link above.
Match Betting: Larne 11/2, Glentoran 4/9, and a draw 3/1. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers
25th Nov 04. Wanna Laugh? - It would appear today that the 'linfield chronicle' (Belfast News Letter) is having problems coming to terms with last night's Steel & Sons Cup result. I'm led to believe the match has FULL page coverage on page 60, with the heading 'Swifts book Final berth'. It then goes on to give a detailed match report of the game, descriptions and scorers of linfields TWO goals, and how the Seconds got a consolation goal right at the death! The article, written by a 'Chris Brennan', even had Radio Ulster ballsing it up this morning too, as Joel Taggart obviously took his lead from the article as well! So much for quality reporting! When we questioned the News Letter this morning on the Radio Ulster gaff, the reply came "Well that's their fault, they should have had their OWN reporter at the game"!!!! Helllloooooooo! It just gets better and better doesn't it :-) I'll nip down to the shop and get a copy, scan it in and put it online ... along with tomorrow's expected grovelling apology. Quality stuff :-)
24th Nov 04, 9.30pm. Steel & Sons Cup semi-final - Result: Glentoran II's 2 linfield swifts 1
Ho Ho Ho, Roll on Christmas morning and another Final for the wee Cock n' Hens ... so what's new :-)
7 mins: Glentoran II's 0 - 0 (Parkhouse missed pen)
10 mins: Glentoran II's 1 - 0 (Paul McDowell)
75 mins: Glentoran II's 1 - 1
80 mins: Glentoran II's 2 - 1 (Glen Bowers)
23rd Nov 04, 11.30pm. Derry City 1 Glentoran 1 - Probably a fair result given the Glens didn't turn up till half-time! One-nil to Derry it was then, Elliott morris couldn't hold a Gary Beckett shot just before the half-hour, and when he spilled it on the 6-yard line Mark Farren had the simplest of jobs to fire it home. The main worry for the Glens at the break though was the sight of Shaun Holmes being carried off the field of play and down the tunnel - nasty rumours of a broken bone doing the rounds a little later on. Second period saw a different side of us, Derry all of a sudden weren't at the races, as it became fairly evident the Glens had gotten a severe ballockin at the interval. Things were definitely heating up, the game even threatening to boil over once or twice as the Eircom League side were now being given the runaround. Locky had hit a post about 10 minutes before we eventually got back into the tie, Mark Glendinning 'cleverly' controlling a Darren Lockhart flicked-on free kick with his swingers on the 6 yard line, then spinning round to blast home the dead ball. Probably around 400 Glenmen there in a crowd of 12-1500, which I suppose given the short notice, the fact it was a friendly, and with live footy on the box wasn't a bad turnout for big Stephen - he might even have gotten the winner too right at the death after lobbing the keeper from 30 yards only to watch it scrape the outside of a post! Not a hint of trouble all night by the way.
22nd Nov 04. Derry City game - Just received an email from the Oval on tomorrow night's Derry City match. It reads ...
'Police have advised that they don't anticipate escorting supporter buses to the Brandywell, as happens for games with Cliftonville at Solitude. They suggest travelling through Drumahoe, past the Altnagelvin Hospital (on your right) and crossing the Craigavon Bridge on either lower or upper deck.
Travel along the Foyle Road, a residential area with older type housing and turn right into Lone Moor Road at the mini-roundabout. It is from this point and for the following 200 yards or so to the Brandywell that police will be in the area.
Derry City are making arrangements to allow Glentoran supporter buses to park inside the stadium. Drivers will enter the stadium and be directed to the Showgrounds carpark. Passengers will then make their way to the Lone Moor Road and enter the ground by the first turnstile. However the police will probably insist on people not leaving the ground once in and that they make their way via a football pitch (much like Midgley Park) to a gate for access to the spectator area.
The crowd will be segregated with Glentoran supporters occupying the South Stand. Arrival at 7.30pm would be ideal. There will be no social club facilities but there will be Hot Food vans available'
** NOTE - The officials of Derry City respectfully request that Glentoran supporters refrain from carrying flags and abide by their local rule for all clubs visiting Brandywell. They have no objection to what are clearly club flags apart from those designed on national flags.'
In other words, they are asking that you leave your Glentoran 'Union-Jacks' or 'Ulster-Flags' at home. I'd assume then from that the Irish 'Tricolour' is also barred from the Brandywell. It's not for me to tell any of you what you should or shouldn't do, but I do think it's worth remembering the game IS for Charity.
21st Nov 04. Newry City 0 Glentoran 4 - Cake-walk
19th Nov 04. Newry game - I don't think anyone's fooled any more by Mac 'the mouth' McCreadie's bullsh*t. He's in the papers this week claiming how worried he is that his team might get a tanking by the Glens tomorrow - all this because his side didn't show up in their 5-2 beating by little Loughgall last week. Well, Newry might have only won 2 of their 8 League games thus far, but fact is they just happened to be the 2 games before that Loughgall match! Loughgall was a blip, I think we'll see a very different Newry City side tomorrow. Of course our teams have already met twice this season, in the League Cup group stages. Both those games finished with the Glens on top, it was a 4-0 rout down at the Marshes, but the 3-2 win at the Oval was anything but a formality! If you cast your mind back to that one the Glens actually went 2-0 down after being scoreless at the break, late goals from Morgan, McLoughlin, and right at the death from 'Doc' Halliday saved our bacon that day, but a warning if ever it were needed of what McCreadie's side are capable of on their day.
Team-ways I hear Locky and Morgan are doubtful after missing training midweek. If Morgan doesn't make it, it could be interesting, big Parkhouse has had a couple of starts with the seconds, but I doubt he'd be fit enough to begin a first team game, but I'd also be surprised if Coyler was to start with Halliday and McLoughlin. Anyways, three points will do me no matter how. So, another day out in sunny Newry by the sea ... what's the bettin it piss's on us all friggin day!
Ballymac's bus leaves Wilgar Street at 1.30pm, you're all very welcome to come along. Other buses at the link above.
Match Betting: Newry City 9/2, Glentoran 4/7, and a draw 5/2. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers
Glens for Derry! - Glentoran have agreed to play Derry City at the Brandywell next week. The Glens first visit back to the Maiden City in 34 years will be a charity event, to raise funds for the Foyle Hospice where Glens striker Stephen Parkhouse's Mother passed away last week. The game will take place next Tuesday night with a 7.45pm kick-off, with a £5 and £3 entry fee. These details are now confirmed.
Ballymac will have a bus going to the game, priced £8 and £5. We will be leaving the Wilgar Street clubrooms @ 5.15pm.
18th Nov 04. Bit chilly round the willy! - Get yer thermals out for Saturday folks, I was in Newry this afternoon and it was friggin snowing!!
17th Nov 04. JUST CHAMPION ... Glentoran II's 2 linfield swifts 0
Half-time: 0-0
58 mins: Glentoran 1-0 (Parkhouse - pen)
60 mins: linfield miss pen
85 mins: Glentoran 2-0 (Paul McDowell)
George Wilson Cup Final - Remember folks, Glentoran Seconds take on linfield swifts tonight at Seaview in the George Wilson Cup Final. Kick-off is 7.45pm and it'll cost £3 and £1 to get in.
Well well well ... it looks like we're gonna have another AGM at Glentoran after all ... albeit not this year!
January 5th 2005 it would seem has now been set aside for a chance to get a look at 2003/04's accounts, 18 whole days quicker than last ye.... err sorry - 2002's!
While we're on it ... worst kept secret for a while down at the Oval has now also been confirmed - Ex Chairman John Parkinson will not be seeking re-election to the Board of Directors at the AGM. Big John's 3 years stint in charge at the Oval, it has to be said, was 'eventful' to say the least. He presided over a League Championship win, an Irish Cup win, a Gold Cup win, 2 League Cup wins, 2 County Antrim Shield wins, the 'sale' of the Oval ... and Kilmartingate! I reckon the big man would still be at the helm this very day had it not been for the later. I've always found John to be kind, courteous and a true gentleman, but to be quite frank, probably not the attributes you require when continually getting your ear bent by some so-called friends - (probably me included)! Thank-you John nonetheless, maybe now you can sip a pint in peace!
16th Nov 04. Loughgall & League Cup Final photo's ... now available on the site's photo page.
14th Nov 04. Glentoran 2 Institute 0 - Three more VERY valuable points, on a day when Portadown had a 1-0 slip-up at home to Limavady United. Unfortunately though if you missed the first 15 minutes of this one you might as well have stayed at home! Chris Morgan has us on the way with a cracker of a near post header from Kevin Keegan's cross just 6 minutes in, then Shaun Holmes's cross-come shot on 12 from wide had it all wrapped it up (between you and me there's no way on this earth he tried that one)! That my friends was that - (betya Moneypenny was sorry he didn't stay in the bar)!
So, Ports chinned at home, and although the scum tanked an awful Omagh Town 8-1, the wee Cock n' Hens stretch their lead at the top by another point ... and even QPR won! I feel another conga comin on ...
13th Nov 04. Last night's league results ... Coleraine 3 Larne 0, Newry City 2 Loughgall 5. Table updated tomorrow.
12th Nov 04. As a matter of interest ... Glentoran's UEFA Cup opponents Allianssi and Elfsborg's respective seasons' ended last week. FC Haka finished Champions in Finland with Allianssi some 11 points behind in second place, while over in Sweden Elfsborg trailed in a disappointing 9th, 20 points behind eventual winners Malmo and out of Europe for next season after having been knocked out of the Swedish Cup in the 3rd round. Incidentally, AC Allianssi only lost 3 games at home all season ... and one of those was against us!
Institute game - Back to the grind of the Premier League tomorrow. I think it's fair to say Institute have had a fairly 'average' start to the season, played 14, won 5, drew 4, lost 5. They finished 3rd in their League Cup group and failed to qualify, and currently sit 5 points behind us in the League in mid-table. They seem to do ok at home, only losing once at Drumahoe in 7 starts (including the scalp of Portadown), but their away form is their undoing, only once taking all 3 points on their travels - the opening day of the season at Larne. They certainly seem to be missing big Parkhouse.
Having said that, so it would seem do we! When you need to stick a centre-half on as a striker during a cup match the alarm bells should be ringing! Big Parky I reckon is a few weeks away yet from a first team appearance, but if Chris Morgan and Michael Halliday keep getting put through the ringer we might have to consider an early recall. Chris had to go off with hamstring trouble again on Tuesday night, and big Michael to be quite frank looked absolutely ballixed! I'd also be very surprised if there's not one or two other 'walking wounded' after that game, some of them certainly looked like they could do with a break. No matter, onwards and upwards as they say, I don't see any of our nearest challengers dropping points tomorrow, so it's gotta be three more at home if we're to stay top of the pile. Hopefully the hangovers are gone :-)
Match Betting: Glentoran 2/5, Institute 7/1, and a draw 14/5. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers.
11th Nov 04. Second Rant in two days! - Not to be outdone, Fear Us adds his tuppence worth! HERE
10th Nov 04. Got an email to the site today from a very angry 'Neil' - read it yourself ... HERE
9th Nov 04. Glentoran FC - League Cup Winners 2004/05 - Glentoran 2 linfield 1 (aet)
Oh happy days, and CHRISTOPER Morgan even got the winner! Match report can now be found HERE
How many bluedogs does it take to change a lightbulb? - Two quiz nights for all you clever-arses out there to consider. First one this Saturday night at the Ballymac - teams of up to 5 persons, a fiver per person entry fee, gimme a shout here at the site or contact a member of the club directly if you're up for a laugh and fancy entering a team. Second one for North Down GSC - November 26th @ Comber Cricket Club, a tenner per team entry fee and a maximum of 5 per team - contact a member of North Down GSC or email them @ secretaryndgsc@fsmail.net for more.
League Cup Final - Just another day at the office, first competition of the season, first final ... hopefully the first of many. The fact it happens to be the scum tonight and at the swamp frankly doesn't concern me, I couldn't care less who it is, fact remains we've probably got a better record over there than anyone - including the tennants! Some of the best football we've played since our european exploits was in the semi-final at this place, an on-form Lisburn Distillery totally demolished, albeit only by a 2-nil scoreline, but put to the sword nonetheless. Also be nice to get away from the league pressure for a while too won't it, we've been huffing and puffing a bit and grinding out results of late, I know this one's a cup final, but maybe the lads can relax a bit more tonight and play the sort of quality football we all know they're capable of - this competition certainly seems to have brought out the best in them over the years. No new injury worries that I'm aware of, so very much as you were once again, Chris Morgan is on fire, carrying that form into tonight could just about make the guy! Kick-off is 7.45pm folks, a fiver and 3 quid in, Ballymac's bus leaves for the game at 6.45, other buses at the link above.
Match Betting: Glentoran 8/5, linfield 8/5, and a draw 2/1. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers
8th Nov 04. Loughgall 1 Glentoran 3 - Table and Results pages now updated
6th Nov 04. Our thoughts today are with Stephen Parkhouse. On a day when the rest of us look forward to a mere game of football, Stephen has to come to terms with the passing away of his Mother last night. He has our deepest sympathy.
5th Nov 04. National Stadium for the Maze! - Today's Belfast Telegraph has claimed that Northern Ireland's new National Stadium is to be built on the former Maze prison site outside Lisburn. Although still to be officially announced by the Government's Strategic Investment Board (SIB), it is believed the Maze has pipped Belfast Lough foreshore and Titanic Quarter as the Stadium's preferred location. An official announcement is expected in weeks, but if indeed that IS the case, it certainly begs a few very very interesting questions.
1. If the National Stadium is NOT to be in Belfast, or to be more precise, EAST BELFAST, does that mean there are now land options open to Glentoran FC for possible ground re-location? Be assured 'Rest in East' will be asking next week.
2. Where for now the scum? No International handouts to offset their annual loss of 200k a year means time to up sticks. Sure you can always drop the missus at the Abbey Centre on the way to the match! ... so when does the 'Rest in South' campaign start! If you need any tips contact RestInEast.co.uk ;-)
Loughgall game - Loughgall may have just earned promotion to the Premier League this season, but if you remember correctly it's only been 8 months since the Glens last visited Lakeview Park, in last season's 6th round of the Irish Cup! Honours finished all square at 0-0 that day, and although the Glens ran out 2-0 winners in the replay, the 'juniors' certainly made life very difficult down at their place (match report). Loughgall haven't found life all that good now they're up with the big boys though, finishing bottom of their group in the League Cup with 5 defeats and a solitary win. They started a bit brighter when the League race began, and actually sat top after two wins in their opening two matches, but since then a draw and 3 consecutive defeats have seen them fall back off the pace to 12th, and some 6 points behind ourselves.
Worth bearing in mind though, they are still only conceding a goal a game.
As for the Glens, well we're top of the League aren't we :-) Confidence must be high in the camp right now, ok we're not exactly setting the place alight yet, but isn't it great to be able to grind out these results lately, when we all know the best is still to come. What a change from this time last year! It certainly helps being able to field the same team regularly of course, and if as expected Michael Halliday and Kevin Keegan have recovered from the knocks they took against Coleraine last weekend, I expect it will be 'same as usual'. Expect another tough test, but by a quarter to five another one of those 'tricky' little grounds out of the way before winter closes in.
Ballymac's bus leaves Wilgar Street at 1.30pm if you wanna come along, other buses can be found at the link above.
Match Betting: Loughgall 5/1, Glentoran 1/2, and a draw 11/4. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers
4th Nov 04. How long have you got ... ! Fear-Us with his first 'rattle' of the season ... HERE
Who's George Bush! - Ok, now we've got that Mickey-Mouse election business out of the way across the pond, it's down to the REAL stuff :-) The Rest in East campaign begins in earnest. This morning myself and a few of the group's representatives will meet with Peter Robinson MP to discuss any and all areas of possible re-location for Glentoran FC in East Belfast. Further meetings this week and next have been arranged with Councillors Jim Rodgers, Naomi Long, Alan Crowe, Robin Newton MLA, Sir Reg Empey OBE and MLA Michael Copeland. ALL local public representatives are on the list. Get an update on the meeting with Mr Robinson, and general progress of the campaign at RestInEast.co.uk
3rd Nov 04. Number 11 for Coyler - The Northern Ireland Football Writers Association today selected Roy Coyle for October's 'Manager of the Month' ... his eleventh!! Six wins and a draw, 21 goals for and 2 against say's it all.
2nd Nov 04. Reds in Shield Q/Final - Back to Solitude in 4 weeks time folks, Reds came out of the hat first in last night's County Antrim Shield Quarter-Final draw, for another 'all-ticket' encounter on Tuesday 30th November. Full Draw
We now also know there will be no junior 'Big Two' Steel & Sons Christmas morning showdown, the Glens Seconds drawn to meet either the Whites or scum's second eleven in the Semi-Final at Seaview on Wednesday 24th November - 7.45pm.
