Big Monday night Sky game

[Duncer]

Well, it is a big game for ichkeria and I.

The Cobra is ready and in the fridge, but my confidence is away on holiday somewhere; ichkeria, are you prepared? Linfield's form this season has been the epitome of erratic but here's hoping for a big crowd and a thriller of a game to try and tempt some armchair fans back to Irish League games?

[ichkeria]

We're trying to get a big turnout in the ground for this which I believe is only our second ever home game on Sky. I'm ready Duncer! Replica shirt (2003 winning cup final vintage, scarf (first worn at 1977 Cup Final) and flag laid out on the bed. Will walk to the local shop in full regalia before kick off. Was thinking of getting the local pub to put it on but might be a bit of a cheek as I never darken their doors normally!
May the best team win, but I have a feeling it may not be us as the goals have dried up and your lot got a morale-boosting win at our place in the League Cup

[beejay1124]

hi folks-good to see the irish league getting a showing on Sky
hoping for a blues win but it could go anyway

[Duncer]

Was at the 1977 Cup Final myself and still have nightmares about it as it was my first.

My Cobra may have to remain in the fridge as I have a serious case of man-flu, but Mrs D knows the score tonight - she has the bedroom telly and I'll be cheering the boys on in front of the bigger telly. I doubt the League Cup game will have too much significance as it was a last minute of extra time winner, although all victories are gratefully received when our form is off. We are so erratic that we are consistent in our ups and downs now. Last result was a draw, so this could go either way for us. I'd settle for a 3-3 thriller that gets neutrals talking, but may the best team win. I've always been a huge Oran Kearney fan.

From the Blues web site.......

Ken Garrett previews Coleraine game


Submitted : 21st October 2012 at 11:25:26 PM




Linfield make their second visit in a fortnight to the Coleraine Showgrounds on match day twelve of the Danske Bank Premiership (7.45pm ko, live on SKY Sports). The two teams have already clashed in the league this season with the points shared at Windsor Park (0-0). In the recent IRN-BRU League Cup tie a Michael Carvill strike was enough to take the Blues into the next round.

It was another 'can do better' entry on the Linfield report card following our league game at Dungannon Swifts. A late equaliser from the home team ensured that any sort of meaningful revival in results was again put on ice for another week. The disappointment of dropping two points was further compounded with an undignified fracas between both sets of players following the final whistle.

Coleraine manager Oran Kearney will be looking for a win after a draw and at defeat at Glenavon and Ballinamallard respectively has seen his side drop into fourth spot in the table. Both managers will be expecting a tight game with Coleraine possibly starting as favourites to take all three points. DJ will however be confident that his team can replicate some of the good performances that has seen some notable victories on the road this season.

As always it is gratifying to see SKY Sports providing a world-wide platform for Irish League football. Hopefully both teams will be able to serve up a game which highlights all that is good about local football. Whilst unquestioning loyalty to a certain club is a factor, it is I feel the compassion and commitment displayed by the players which draws supporters through the turnstiles week in week out. Why else would a cold Monday night in Coleraine be so appealling to so many Linfield fans? COYB!

[ichkeria]

"Why else would a cold Monday night in Coleraine be so appealling to so many Linfield fans? COYB! "

I'm trying to think of a reason why a cold night in Coleraine would appeal to anyone. We have the coldest ground in Irish football.

I have amazing memories of 1977 - the "special" train from Coleraine to Ballymacarrett Halt, climbing into the Oval stand which at the time felt like ascending a skyscraper. The band on the pitch, the Linfield fans invading the pitch (hope you weren't one of them Duncer! :-)) with the game still going on at the other end! And like James Nesbitt I can still name the winning team of:Magee, Hutton, McNutt, Beckett, Jackson, Murray, Jennings (brother of Pat), Porter, Guy, Dickson, Moffatt. Ken Barclay was in goal for Linfield and Jim Lemon scored their only goal just before halftime. Another final 20 mins like that afternoon (minus the crowd issues) will suit me fine!

[Duncer]

I too have amazing memories of 1977, albeit for entirely different reasons; the size of the crowd, the atmosphere, the impression it left on a daft 15-year-old, the trouble and the ensuing disappointment. Linfield weren't very good when I started supporting them and I had built my hopes up so much for that game, only to be devastated on the day.

Meanwhile, back in Falkirk, the man-flu worsens and the Cobra looks like remaining untouched. If I get any worse I'll be past caring who wins.

[Duncer]

Well ichkeria, quite sincerely, (in best Hughie Green voice), good luck for tonight. I do want the best team to win and desperately hope it is Linfield. First beer opened, felling slightly better, and a tad nervous.

Yet again and, at the risk of becoming an automaton, I hope both clubs do the Irish League proud. I've even forgiven the Coleraine fans for abusing me in Bradford all those years ago when Coleraine, Bradford City, Ah-baah-deen and Swansea had a mini Home Nations tournament, despite the fact I had travelled won with a pal to cheer them on.

[ichkeria]

Oh yes I remember that tournament. I wasn't there honest. Somehow we lead at half time. Will be a long second half but it's a grand game for the millions of neutrals tuning in :-)

[Duncer]

Thrilling game so far, and I'll take a defeat if it makes a few people think Irish League football is worth watching, but that was a penalty.

......and you were at that tournament.

[ichkeria]

Amazing finish. A Lowry had to score really...

[Duncer]

Great all round entertainement. Naturally gutted at the result, but thrilled that the Irish League was portrayed in such a positive light; it was no classic bit it was damned exciting. I've had so many texts from colleagues, slagging me/consoling with me, but at least they watched until the end.

By the way, I hate Coleraine! :-)

I still reckon you were at that tournament. Better still, you witnessed the North West version of "Bez" in a Bradford nightclub, did you not?

[Duncer]

One thing to add - the winning goal was magnificently taken, top class. Well done to Coleriane, and I'm almost glad we didn't get our penalty as we have a less than 50% success rate from the spot. Take nothing away from Coleraine, it was a very entertaining game.

[ichkeria]

The hardest bit for me was celebrating that goal silently as our son who had earlier told me off for shouting at 2-0 had just been put to bed.
I thought rooming was made of the penalty incident tbh. It wasn't the sort of game where it was a crucial incident so much else was happening and as always with incidents like that it's hard to know what the keeper is supposed to do. Momentum is bound to result in contact. There u go I wouldn't have complained had it been given.
Great entertainment all round tho'.
I can assure you I've never been in Bradford in my life. I remember some char about that tournament on the forum. Seem to recall some concern that one set of fans would be out for trouble: possibly Aberdeen's

[ichkeria]

'rooming' = 'too much' btw!

[Duncer]

"I can assure you I've never been in Bradford in my life. I remember some char about that tournament on the forum. Seem to recall some concern that one set of fans would be out for trouble: possibly Aberdeen's"

I went with two very good friends, both Bannsiders, from Glasgow and Lanark respectively, and we had a ball, apart from the (friendly, mostly) abuse. The whole weekend was going superbly until the Ah-baah-deen Neandethals arrived. Cue riot cops and a poisonous atmosphere. My friend and his elederly father were abused and threatened in the Bradford social club, asked agreessively who they supported. They said "Coleraine" and were re-questioned "Aye, but fcuk that, you ken whit we mean, Rangers or Celtic", or pathetic words to the effect. The whole atmosophere changed when the sheep molesting druggies arrived and it was a joy when the police escorted them onto a train back home early on the Sunday.

It was still a penalty!

[Duncer]

Roomin = is that Ulster Scots?

[ichkeria]

Oh dear sounds like their reputation was justified. I did think of going at one stage. Why some people feel they need to act like that is beyond me. Nice to see a Stone Roses lyric on a Linfield banner btw although 'Sent to me from heaven Linfield FC you are my world' maybe doesn't have the same ring about it :-)

[Duncer]

Of course it does.

Bradford was brilliant until, and after, the mutton molesters came and went. Coleraine fans, and one poor Blueman, had a greag time there with the Swansea Jacks and the locals. Stories of Wilson in the nightclub, aka Bez, are legendary.

[ichkeria]

By all acccounts some of our own scumbags from the estate next to the ground were abusing Linfield fans - some with young families - as they left the game.
Throwing stones and managing to damage the cars of locals in the process.
PSNI standing idly by...

[Duncer]

Gutted by the result, but the boys in work were saying today what a great game it was, so that's a small consolation. Hopefully some armchair fans back home will agree and go visit a local ground rather than moan about how poor the local game is. A small part of me is trying to believe that we can still win the title, but it looks very unlikely now. If we don't, then I hope Coleraine do. As long as it isn't Glentoran or my old local team, Cliftonville.

I remember many a hairy trip to Coleraine in the late Seventies and early Eighties, and they were rarely trouble free. Great days though, up at the crack of dawn, train from Central Station with a few beers to smooth the journey, a trip to Sailor Bill's for some of the boys, big crowds and a great atmosphere and then the journey home again.

We have our own fair quotient of ballsacks.

[ichkeria]

"I remember many a hairy trip to Coleraine in the late Seventies and early Eighties, and they were rarely trouble free. Great days though, up at the crack of dawn, train from Central Station with a few beers to smooth the journey, a trip to Sailor Bill's for some of the boys, big crowds and a great atmosphere and then the journey home again.
"

You weren't at the infamous Ulster Cup game in October 1977? 200 Linfield fans climbed into the ground via the back of the Showgrounds and attacked the Social Club. During the entire game police fought running battles with them (including baton charges) and after the match they ran riot down the main street. I remember an RUC officer chasing one kid who'd knocked his helmet off and seconds later he was running in the opposite direction chased by a crowd of Linfield boys.
Usually there was more entertainment off the pitch ...