30th Sept 03. Glentoran 6 Institute 1
Poor old Institute, they must be sick of the sight of the Oval, that's 16 goals they've conceded now in their last three visits. Match report has now been moved HERE
Denis 'Dino' Matthews dies - Ex Glentoran goalkeeper Denis Matthews has died at the age of 53. Denis, played for the Glens throughout the late 70's, but found everlasting fame when starring at the Oval in a 1977/78 European Cup 2nd round tie against the then mighty Juventus. Over 30,000 packed into the Oval that night to see the likes of Gentile, Tardelli, Causio, and Roberto Bettega strut their stuff, and Denis was virtually unbeatable, the Glens narrowly losing just 1-0. Italian legend Dino Zoff swapped his grey jersey with Denis after that game, and the Glenman refused to take it off the rest of the season! The nickname 'Dino' has stuck with him ever since! One of the real characters in the Irish League back then, 'Dino' will be sadly missed. I have very fond memories of that night, and most of them are down to him.
League Cup Q/Final - Institute game - As you were I reckon for this one, well the same squad anyway, maybe a different starting eleven. It was at this stage of the same competition last year when I thought our season really took off. We'd just been re-admitted into the competition after the Kilmartin fiasco and were off to Shamrock Park to play Portadown, we came away with a 2-1 win but absolutely destroyed them on the night. Oddly enough Institute finished second to the Ports in their qualifying group to reach this stage! They haven't done bad in their start to the League either, undefeated thus far with two draws, so will be no pushover. They'll want to forget their two visits to the Oval from last season though that's for sure, they lost 4-1 and 6-1. As holders and at home I'd like to think the Glens will be strong favourites, a semi-final spot awaits and with it the momentum that carried us oh so far last season. So let's have yez Glens, time to blow some of those cobwebs away and get in gear. Kick-off is 7.45 .... and you'll need money this time :-(
29th Sept 03. An early reminder - Keep your ear to the ground for the announcement of the Northern Ireland Senior and Under 21 squads, for the forthcoming European Championship matches in Greece on 10th and 11th October. They'll most likely be released sometime this coming week, if the Glens have three players involved again you can kiss goodbye to the proposed trip to Ballymena United in the League on the 11th.
Update: Am I psychic or what! I've just heard the Ballymena game has indeed been postponed, and will now take place on Tuesday 21st October - ko 7.45pm.
26th Sept 03. Are you watching DJ? ...... Keely goes - Derry City manager and ex Glentoran defender Dermot Keely has resigned following last nights home defeat by bottom of the League side UCD - after being booed off the pitch ......... sound familiar! Only 3 months in the job, Keely had won just one game from 11 domestic starts, and the team now sit just two points off the bottom. (I actually fancied Keely for the Oval job before Coyler got it)!!
Limavady game - The last record I have of a game against Limavady United was way back on the 6th February 2001, when we beat them 2-1 in the League Cup (sponsored by Coca Cola). I'm sure I recall getting beaten 3-1 up at their place, and knocked out of a cup competition a few years before that though, but can't remember which one. Anyways, the County Londonderry outfit are one of the new boys to this season's Premier League, finishing 3rd in last seasons first division, and so far they've been finding it pretty hard going. They lost all 6 games in their League Cup qualifying group, scoring only 3 goals and conceding 16. Last weeks debut in the League saw them lose again, but only 3-2 at Solitude, a definite improvement! I'm sure they'll be looking forward to this one.
For our own part, it's time to start picking up points. Last weeks 0-0 draw with the Crues wasn't the end of the world, but dropping two points every week isn't gonna retain the title. We only drew 6 games in 38 League games last season, and 3 of those came after we'd already won the thing! Tomorrow we need to win.
Other than Michael Halliday, who had to leave play during the first half at Dungannon on Tuesday night, I haven't heard of any injury doubts. I would expect all the players who got a rest that night to come straight back into the squad anyway, but Michael could well have been on the bench for this one. So long as we do the biz right? Let's get going lads.
Ballymac have bus leaving Wilgar Street for the game at 1 o'clock, visitors are very welcome. Some of the other clubs running a bus to the game can be found at the link above.
Match betting: Limavady 7/1, Glentoran 1/3, and a draw 10/3. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers.
25th Sept 03. Deja-vu for Kraków! - Polish side Wisla Kraków could be forgiven tonight for sensing there's something rather familiar about the opposition. After failing to reach the Champions League group stage the Poles have been relegated to a spot in the UEFA Cup, where tonight they are at home to NEC Nijmegen of Holland.
Guess what colours THEY play in? Check out the NEC website HERE :-) UPDATE: Wisla won 2-1.
Poor old Daisy - Is this a touch of sympathy from Fear-Us? .............. What do you think ;-) HERE
24th Sept 03. Did you get one? - It seems Saturdays Glentoran Gazette sold out once again. Part 2 of my wee story on the recent trip to Helsinki was in it, and some of you weren't able to get a copy. I've now added the second installment to the 'Pear Cider and Suntans' link above for anyone who wanted to read it and missed out :-)
23rd Sept 03, 9.50pm. Dungannon Swifts 0 Glentoran 2 - Mark Glendinning and Andy Smith with the goals.
No Darren Lockhart, Tommy McCallion, Michael O'Neill, Tim McCann, Gavin Melaugh or Darren Armour tonight, but still too good for Dungannon, who even missed a penalty kick (twice!). They now go out of the competition at the expense of Cliftonville (see table above). They're in good company too, Coleraine crashed out as well, beaten 4-2 at home to Larne, while you'll be sorry to hear it's also bye bye to the scum, beaten 1-0 at home by 10 man Crusaders. DJ must stay :-)
Apparently - Scum Chairman David Crawford offered to send the Linfield squad on an all expenses paid trip to Florida, but they said they'd rather go to Blackpool so they could see what it's like to ride on an open-top bus :-)
(I've started work on the sites Funzine 'Page 3' , for a quick peek click HERE :-)
Dungannon game - Fancy a match, bring your boots ;-) So who'll get the nod tonight then - to be honest I would say most of them after Saturday! Cliftonville will be hoping so too, coz if we beat Dungannon it'll be the Reds and not tonight's opponents who'll be in the quarter-finals! It's gonna be a strange one this, Dungannon need something out of the game to go through, and the Glens of course have nothing to play for. I reckon though with the Glens failing to impress at home to the Crues at the weekend Dungannon could now more than ever have their work cut out. Everybody will want to get that Crues game out of their system before travelling to Limavady in the League on Saturday, with such a big squad at the Oval places in the team are at a premium, two bad displays on the trot and you could be out for months! We shall see. Remember - BallymacGSC WILL be running a bus to tonight's game, leaving Wilgar Street @ 6.30pm, all visitors are of course very welcome. Other clubs running a bus can be found at the link above.
BTW - I hear our quarter-final against Institute will be at the Oval next Tuesday night - ko 7.45pm.
21st Sept 03. Glentoran 0 Crusaders 0 - Well look at it this way, we're already up on last season, we played the Crues back then and didn't get any points :-) Match report has now been moved HERE
19th Sept 03. Crusaders game - OK, HERE WE GO! Far as I'm concerned the season starts now, all the group stuff in the League Cup is out of the way (well almost), and Glentoran's defence of the Premier League Title begins ...... I errr ...... assume everybody's been signed up proper this time ;-)
Eighteen home games we played in the League last season, losing only two, both by a goal to nil. Portadown inflicted one of those defeats (this very weekend too), and the other ............... by Crusaders! It's an interesting time to meet them too, up until last Saturday the Crues hadn't won a game from 4 starts this season, then in the space of just 4 days they win away at Coleraine and Limavady to qualify for the League Cup quarter-finals! But then again we haven't been doing too badly ourselves lately have we :-) So who's gonna start? Mark Glendinning, Gary Smyth, and Chris Walker all sat out our midweek win at Omagh Town, 3 first choice defenders missing and still kept a clean sheet! Fortunately from what I hear they're all in the running for a recall though, so there's a first headache for Coyler! Of the rest? Well you tell me. We've used 17 players in only 5 games up to now, and our second highest scorer from last term Darren Armour hasn't even had a kick yet! Frankly I don't really mind who the manager plays, so long as we win.
So this is it, we won our first 4 League games on the trot last year, what would you give for a start like that again?
Here's hoping. BTW - Institute and Omagh get the ball rolling tonight in their rearranged fixture.
Come On Ye Glens. Le jeu avant tout ................ oh yeah - & FTB :-)
Match betting: Glentoran 2/7, Crusaders 9/1, and a draw 7/2. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers
18th Sept 03. Favourites - Here's your betting for this seasons Premier League - good luck!
Glentoran 5/4, Linfield 9/4, Portadown 4/1, Coleraine 6/1, Glenavon 25/1, Ards 33/1, Omagh 50/1, Ballymena 100/1, Cliftonville 100/1, Dungannon 125/1, Distillery 150/1, Crusaders 150/1, Institute 200/1, Larne 250/1, Newry 250/1, and Limavady 500/1. Each way betting pays 1/5 the odds 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers.
17th Sept 03. Pssst - get your's FREE! - There's a new football magazine coming out in a couple of weeks on the forthcoming Irish Premier League. You might have caught a glimpse of it on the news tonight at the Pre-Irish League bash at the Odyssey, it's got big Chris's gub stuck on the front. You may also have heard it'll cost 2 quid when it finally does hit the shelves, I'm reliably informed it's worth every penny. There's one thing you wont have heard though, I'm told they're giving it away free with this Friday's Daily Mirror! Keep it to yourself ;-)
Glentoran Seconds - take on Omagh Town Reserves at the Oval (7.30) tonight in their final game of the group section of the George Wilson Cup. The competition is being run in a group format like the CIS League Cup this year and the Seconds currently sit a point behind Dungannon Swifts Reserves with a game more played.
UPDATE - Glentoran II's 5 Omagh Town Reserves 0 - Little odds I'm afraid, Dungannon won 4-0, the Seconds go out.
16th Sept 03, 9.40pm. Omagh Town 0 Glentoran 2
Goals from Andy Smith (40) and Gavin Melaugh (80) tonight put an end to Omagh Town's interest in this seasons League Cup, as Cliftonville leapfrogged them into second spot with a 3-0 win at Dungannon. A point or better for Dungannon at home to the Glens next Tuesday night though will see them through as runners-up instead. As winners of Section A, the Glens will now play Section B runners-up Institute at the Oval in the Quarter-Finals. A date has yet to be arranged.
Omagh Town game - Having trouble getting motivated for this one. The Glens have already won this group with two games to spare, when the quarter-final draw is made we'll be given home advantage no matter what happens tonight, or next Tuesday at Dungannon. Omagh on the other hand really need to get something out of this one in their battle for second spot with the other two. The Glens could have a very different line-up from Saturdays though, Chris Walker turned out for the Seconds at the weekend and could well get a run out, while Michael O'Neill is available again after suspension. Tim McCann (II) featured for the Seconds as well on Saturday, so unless Gary Smyth has recovered from a knock he took against Cliftonville there could well be a bit of shuffling across the back.
Tonight's game has a 7.45pm kick-off, and the Ballymac have a bus leaving the Wilgar Street clubrooms at 6 o'clock. I imagine with little at stake there should be plenty of room, so you're all more than welcome to come along.
Match betting: Omagh Town 10/3, Glentoran 8/11, and a draw 5/2. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers
15th Sept 03. Not so friendly - Thought you might be interested to know more about the wee secret 'European' friendly I hinted at last week. All very hush hush, but the Glens were supposed to play Belgian side and Man Utd feeder team Royal Antwerp at the Oval last Monday night, it was all sorted, even so far as the opposition posting travel arrangements on their official website. Apparently though the IFA took a dim view of the Glens arranging a friendly the same week as a Northern Ireland International game and promptly pulled the plug! Not to worry though, I hear there'll be more to come.
Cheer up DJ no. 1 ;-) Read a wee snippit in the News Letter this morning thought would give you all a laugh. Seemed a wee bit ironic to me, so much so you'd have thought Uncle Fester wrote the article himself! Apparently a survey was done recently to find out the favourite karaoke tune in the UK, and guess what came in tops? Yip, you guessed it, 'Daydream Believer' by the Monkees! It gets better, second place went to 'I Did It My way' by Frank Sinatra, and - you're not gonna believe this - third spot went to Gloria Gaynor's 'I will Survive' !! Rather fitting don't you think ;-)
14th Sept 03. Glentoran 2 Cliftonville 0
The Cliftonville match report has now been moved HERE
12th Sept 03, 10.00pm. Omagh Town 0 Dungannon Swifts 1 - Well now ......... that makes it interesting ;-)
Cliftonville game - To be honest, unless we lose this one about 8-0 we've already as good as qualified for the quarter-finals of this seasons League Cup. Even in that unlikely scenario we'll still only need a point from our last two matches to see us through. Considering the Reds haven't beaten the Glens in their last eleven attempts, and only scored 2 goals to our 21 in the process, I think it's fairly safe to say we look a good bet to reach the knock-out stages.
Cliftonville though could be gunning for that too. It's the top two remember who qualify, were Dungannon to take something from Mac ' the mouth's' Omagh Town in tonight's rearranged fixture, the Reds would still be in with a shout of going through if they managed to get something at the Oval (see table above). Three weeks ago it took an injury-time winner from Michael Halliday to secure the three points, I just hope we don't leave it so late this time.
It's as you were on the team front, big Chris is still out, while Michael O'Neill must serve the last of his 4 game ban. Andy Smith, Elliott Morris and Gavin Melaugh all return from their globe-trotting International duties, be interesting to see if it tells in the legs late on. Bottom line is, we win, we draw, we qualify - and still two games to play. What price then a much needed big gate for a nothing match at Omagh on Tuesday night ....................... F*** em I say!
Match Betting: Glentoran 1/3, Cliftonville 15/2, and a draw 10/3. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers.
4 more years for the Gaffer! - Manager Roy Coyle has just signed a new deal that should keep him at the Oval until at least 2007. With 15 trophies won already in his 6 years in the job to date, Coyler is now set to become the longest and most successful manager ever at the Oval. No disrespect to you Stafford, or Coyler, but is that really a wise decision?
10th Sept 03, 9.50pm. Result: Northern Ireland 0 Armenia 1 - Dear Oh Dear Oh Dear :-(
Maybe this time! - Andy Smith will get another chance to break that Northern Ireland goal duck tonight, as the senior National side take on their Armenian counterparts in our last home game of the Euro 2004 qualifiers. I remember watching the reverse leg of this fixture on the box way back at the end of March, Northern Ireland were all over the Armenians but as usual just couldn't find the net, then wouldn't you know it the opposition go up and score with about ten minutes left to play! What's new? In their other five games though the Armenians have conceded 12 goals (9 of those away), and you have to believe this will be as good a chance as any for our Andy to get off the International mark. Kick-off tonight is 8.00pm, LIVE goal updates can as usual be had at the link above.
9th Sept 03, 9.40pm. Under 21's - N Ireland 3 Armenia 1. Gavin Melaugh played, Elliott Morris remained on the bench.
Dungannon game - Latest now we're told is that our postponed Dungannon Swifts tie will be played on Tuesday 23rd September - I wouldn't book your bus just yet though!
Maybe we could squeeze that wee secret 'European' friendly in next Thursday now .......... ooops! ;-)
Elliott back - Elliott Morris should make his return for the Northern Ireland Under 21's tonight in their home fixture with Armenia. Man Utd's Roy Carroll had re-joined the senior panel for tomorrow night's match with the Armenian first team, meaning Elliott is no longer needed there for cover. Gavin Melaugh is also in tonight's Under 21 squad.
7th Sept 03. Glento .......... Shit - No match ;-)
Ukraine 0 Northern Ireland 0 - You probably already heard the score, Andy got on for the last half hour to replace David Healy and absolutely ran his ballix off. Elliott was on the bench for the game and stayed there, he was never really gonna get on unless Birmingham City's Maik Taylor got seriously hurt, as it turned out the big goalie had a stormer.
Looks like Norn Iron are gettin hard to beat again
5th Sept 03, 10.30pm. Cliftonville 0 Omagh Town 1 - Omagh move to within 3 points of the Glens in Section 'A'
7.45pm. Under 21 International - Northern Irelands Under 21's have just lost 1-0 to a 61st minute goal in Ukraine. Glens new boy Gavin Melaugh was on from the start but was subbed with 12 minutes to go. Elliott Morris though didn't play, as expected Elliott has been promoted to the senior squad and will be on the bench for tomorrows game.
Like I said - WHY? The IFL have suggested a new date for tomorrows postponed CIS League Cup tie with Dungannon Swifts ............ Thursday 18th September! Now think about it - We have a home League Cup fixture with Cliftonville next Saturday 13th, then all the way to Omagh Town in the same competition on Tuesday 16th. Now two days later another 10 day camel ride, this time to Dungannon on Thursday 18th, followed by what's now going to be the perfect start (not) to the Premier League at home to the Crues just two days after that on Saturday 20th!! What a bloody joke!!
Frankly I reckon it's the IFL beatin it up us for postponing the tie in the first friggin place, and to be perfectly honest, when we decided to put it off ........... 'When did we actually think it WOULD be played'! I'm led to believe the Glens we're afraid of setting a precedent by agreeing to play without our 3 Internationals at Dungannon, ok understandable, but surely given the circumstances, on this occasion some agreement could have been reached with the IFL ............. or is that too much to hope for! Dungannon Manager Joe McAree is absolutely livid at the whole carry on, it's not hard to see why :-(
Mon Norn Iron :-) No game tomorrow eh? Think so? Well how's this - Down to the Oval for the half two kick-off of Glens Seconds v Dungannon Swifts Reserves in the George Wilson Cup. Game over around 4.15, still loadsa time then to get to some bar for the 5.15pm kick-off on BBC2 NI of Ukraine versus Northern Ireland (the Andy & Elliott show). What price too Andy Smith were to end that awful 972 minute National goal famine, and what a prat you'd feel if he did and you missed it .............. especially if there were bluedogs about! My seat's already booked ;-)
4th Sept 03. Elliott lookin good - Glens keeper Elliott Morris trained along with Andy Smith and the rest of the Northern Ireland first team squad yesterday, and is almost certain to be on the bench for Saturday's game in Ukraine.
3rd Sept 03. Debut for Big Glen - Glen Little will turn out for his new team Bolton Wanderers tonight when they travel to face League of Ireland side Cork City in a friendly. It's a welcome early start for the 27 year old ex Glenman, who hadn't expected to play for a couple of weeks - all Premiership games being on hold due to the Internationals.
While we're on the Internationals - Isn't it great news that Elliott Morris could now be called up to the N Ireland senior squad for this Saturday's Euro 2004 qualifier in Ukraine! Man Utd's Roy Carroll has cried off with an injury and Elliott, (who'll already be there for Friday's Under 21 game) could now be drafted in as cover for Birmingham City's Maik Taylor.
2nd Sept 03. Rant for Lavatory No. 2 - Now we're motorin ........... ;-) HERE
BTW - mean't to say yesterday, Haylock snubbed Newry and signed for Shamrock Rovers.
Get yer sun cream out! - Andy Smith could soon be on his way to the West Indies! The IFA have just accepted an invitation from CONCACAF to participate in a three-match end-of-season tour to the Caribbean. The games, Norn Iron V's Jamaica, St Kitts/Nevis, and Trinidad & Tobago will all take place around the first week in June 2004, a few months before the 2006 World Cup qualifiers begin in September 04. He'll probably arrive back with platinum dreadlocks!
1st Sept 03. Glen Little - has just signed for English Premier League side Bolton Wanderers on a one months loan. Let's hope he does well, a permanent move of course could reap healthy dividends for the Glens with us getting a cut of any transfer fee above the 100 odd grand he went to Burnley for. Fingers crossed.
