New crossborder tournament: Unite the Union Champions Cup

[marinobohs]

I wasn't aware there was a Rovers fanclub link in with "delinfield!!".😀

The recently formed “Alan Manus Branch” 😀

[Mr_Parker]

Surely an AIL could and would just do what was done in the examples you gave of the Cliftonville-Linfield matches ? i.e. identify the d!ckheads and take measures to root them out ?

This isn't beyond the wit of those promoting the AIL concept. And if anything they'd have a stronger motive to deal with it, as the entire project could be derailed by any such serious problems.

I don't know why or how you conclude this couldn't be addressed.

It would if the required legislation is in place, north and south, but it is not, nor do I believe that many clubs in the LOI have the necessary infrastructure, or stewarding. The former being the primary requirement, and I doubt that is in the gift of those proposing an AIL.

[Mr_Parker]

Imagine the outrage if there had been some significant incident and full security hadnt been in place!! I agree that as such fixtures became more frequent that arrangments would be less severe assuming no problems occured. Without wanting another dose of Oriel Park bashing if there wasnt the need to have all supporters enter the ground via the same route I think the arrangements in place for Dundalk fans going to Windsor would have been applied, an advisory rather than compulsory travel on club coaches. Its a valid observation made earlier that it must have been prearranged to arrive minutes before kick-off and hence the ridiculous situation of driving around North Louth killing time.

It took 28 years for restrictions on Linfield playing at Solitude to change, and a further 21 years have passed since that process began and restrictions still continue.

More frequent fixtures do not guarantee anything.

[Mr_Parker]

This is because it was essentially a one-off event with no precedent. Hence over-the-top measures were taken to mitigate against any trouble.

If these sorts of fixtures were happening week in week out across the island, then the police both sides of the border would a) know exactly what level of risk and issues they were dealing with, rather than assume the worst, and b) Chill the fcuk out about it all.

You can't take an exceptional event and try to translate it into ongoing/everyday circumstance.

But it wasn't a "one off" as Linfield have faced restrictions at Dundalk previously and other venues. Only yesterday they faced similar when visiting the Brandywell plus an early 1pm ko.

[Mr_Parker]

As regards travel, you should take that up with PSNI and AGS, as has been said clearly those type of arrangements were certainly not the norm for SETANTA Cup games (including Linfield).

Absolute rubbish. Linfield fans faced virtually the same when playing at Dundalk in the Setanta.

[holidaysong]

Correct, the restrictions on Linfield fans going to Oriel were the same as the Setanta cup ties 8 years ago. However, the restrictions on Dundalk fans going to Windsor Park were relaxed. It was no longer necessary to go in the bus convoy, fans could get tickets online and make their own private travel arrangements.

[ToberonaTornado]

Correct, the restrictions on Linfield fans going to Oriel were the same as the Setanta cup ties 8 years ago. However, the restrictions on Dundalk fans going to Windsor Park were relaxed. It was no longer necessary to go in the bus convoy, fans could get tickets online and make their own private travel arrangements.

Not quite true.

Northern based Dundalk fans who couldn't make it to OP to get a bus could e-mail the club with their contact details and when then verified were able to pick up tix at WP but still had to go into the proper Dundalk section on the night.

[mrtndvn]

Absolute rubbish. Linfield fans faced virtually the same when playing at Dundalk in the Setanta.

The AIL is bringing everyone closer together already. Cliftonville is very concerned about how Linfield fans get to and from games.

This is the start of something beautiful.

[dundalkfc10]

Not quite true.

Northern based Dundalk fans who couldn't make it to OP to get a bus could e-mail the club with their contact details and when then verified were able to pick up tix at WP but still had to go into the proper Dundalk section on the night.

It was the same V Glentoran that season

[ToberonaTornado]

It was the same V Glentoran that season

It was indeed.
Seamless operation iirc.

Same as at op & wp recently.Some songs but abs no trouble.
Songs and and goading will die down after a while in an all-ireland league.

[Ezeikial]

Correct, the restrictions on Linfield fans going to Oriel were the same as the Setanta cup ties 8 years ago. However, the restrictions on Dundalk fans going to Windsor Park were relaxed. It was no longer necessary to go in the bus convoy, fans could get tickets online and make their own private travel arrangements.


Not quite true.

Northern based Dundalk fans who couldn't make it to OP to get a bus could e-mail the club with their contact details and when then verified were able to pick up tix at WP but still had to go into the proper Dundalk section on the night.

holidaysong is correct in that any Dundalk fan, irrespective of location, could buy an away ticket for Windsor Park and make independent travel arrangements. I bought ticket-only in person in Oriel Park without any queries and subsequently drove to Belfast for the match. There was also an online option of ticket only or ticket / bus combo. The club did express a preference that supporters would travel on an official bus, but it was not compulsory.

The restrictions and disruption imposed on Linfield fans for the return match are a different story and were bizarre.

[ToberonaTornado]

holidaysong is correct in that any Dundalk fan, irrespective of location, could buy an away ticket for Windsor Park and make independent travel arrangements. I bought ticket-only in person in Oriel Park without any queries and subsequently drove to Belfast for the match. There was also an online option of ticket only or ticket / bus combo. The club did express a preference that supporters would travel on an official bus, but it was not compulsory.

The restrictions and disruption imposed on Linfield fans for the return match are a different story and were bizarre.

I'm referring to the 2011 meeting(Linfield v Dundalk) in my post above.

I said in an earlier post that AGS have no clue when it comes to managing 'soccer' games.
They've a lot to learn :(


GRMA

[Johnnie C]

holidaysong is correct in that any Dundalk fan, irrespective of location, could buy an away ticket for Windsor Park and make independent travel arrangements. I bought ticket-only in person in Oriel Park without any queries and subsequently drove to Belfast for the match. There was also an online option of ticket only or ticket / bus combo. The club did express a preference that supporters would travel on an official bus, but it was not compulsory.

The restrictions and disruption imposed on Linfield fans for the return match are a different story and were bizarre.
They have caused hassle on countless occasions since the 70s when travelling down here so best to err on the side of caution with them I think.

[Dalymountrower]

The 70's?Get a grip.Linfield have made huge strides in marginalizing sectarianism within the club.Cant completely eliminate it though. Numptys in every well supported club.70's mindset still seems to dominate down here.

[dundalkfc10]

The 70's?Get a grip.Linfield have made huge strides in marginalizing sectarianism within the club.Cant completely eliminate it though. Numptys in every well supported club.70's mindset still seems to dominate down here.

I agree but you telling me if their was no restrictions on them travelling to Dundalk, their wouldnt have been trouble from both sides?

They only gave tickets to their members. If it was general sale all their scum woukd have travelled

[Johnnie C]

The 70's?Get a grip.Linfield have made huge strides in marginalizing sectarianism within the club.Cant completely eliminate it though. Numptys in every well supported club.70's mindset still seems to dominate down here.
Fined as recently as 2016 for sectarian chanting v Cork City. Fined again after that in 2017 after glass bottle lobbed at Leigh Griffiths, among other incidents. No ordinary support base. Special arrangements are required for them.

[Dalymountrower]

Ordinary support base for Donegal pass/ Sandy Row.They hate their fellow sect Glens men from East Belfast more than any scrotes from Dundalk.So is that a good reason to ban them from travelling in the Irish league?
Amount of catastrophisers on this thread is bonkers.

[EatYerGreens]

Fined as recently as 2016 for sectarian chanting v Cork City. Fined again after that in 2017 after glass bottle lobbed at Leigh Griffiths, among other incidents. No ordinary support base. Special arrangements are required for them.

What does that even mean ?!

[marinobohs]

I agree but you telling me if their was no restrictions on them travelling to Dundalk, their wouldnt have been trouble from both sides?

They only gave tickets to their members. If it was general sale all their scum woukd have travelled

I suspect AGS didn’t want them wandering around town or in the pubs. Little doubt what would happen if a crowd of Union Jack wearing fans were loose in Dundalk (or tricolor bedecked Dundalk fans in Belfast). Would be crazy not to take precautions

[dundalkfc10]

I suspect AGS didn’t want them wandering around town or in the pubs. Little doubt what would happen if a crowd of Union Jack wearing fans were loose in Dundalk (or tricolor bedecked Dundalk fans in Belfast). Would be crazy not to take precautions

Some of them wouldnt have made it out of town in fairness.

[marinobohs]

Some of them wouldnt have made it out of town in fairness.
That’s kinda my point 😁 better over the top policing than serious incident.
Not sure why they (AGS) couldn’t have arranged a quiet pub/hotel outside town for them to spend a few hours in but maybe no pub/hotel wanted the hassle.

[Nesta99]

Some of them wouldnt have made it out of town in fairness.

Sounds just like AGS thinking! Would have made it out of town, without any hassle would depend as much on their behaviour than just being Linfield fans.

[marinobohs]

Sounds just like AGS thinking! Would have made it out of town, without any hassle would depend as much on their behaviour than just being Linfield fans.
Dundalk - a welcoming town for Union Jack draped football fans 🤔
Would it not have been possible to “park” the away fans in a bar/hotel outside town until near kick off time ? That’s the usual practice in the UK and a lot more palatable for away fans than a three hour coach ride around both Co Louth.

[DavidB]

Not strictly true. There are only "restrictions" in place now for those that choose to avail of them. On the last few occasions we played at Solitude I have purchased a ticket for the away end and made my own way to the ground.

[DavidB]

My take on this, as a Linfield supporter, is that I would love to see an AIL, but can't see it happening. Of course the circumstances have to be right for that for it to work. I want to see my club play at the highest level possible so give me a game against Rovers, Dundalk or Bohs ahead of one against Warrenpoint, Carrick or Institute.

Of course the LOI is ahead of where we are at the minute, although I don't think as far ahead as the 6-0 scoreline suggests. I didn't bother travelling to Dundalk, thankfully, and that was solely due to the arrangements. I wasn't prepared to go through that.

I do think it is unfortunate that this game was between us and Dundalk as it probably threw up problems that would not exist with most other teams in LOI (Derry City would be the only other problem). I have travelled to watch us against the likes of Rovers, Pats and Bohs without any major incidents, making our own way there. As for the sectarian singing, it happened. It also happened when we played Cliftonville recently. Unsavoury of course but nobody got injured.

[seand]

Not sure where this 3 hour thing has come from. Last message I could see on it suggested they were leaving Banbridge at 5:30, which is just 1.5 hours before kickoff. At that stage surely you go straight there- it's 30-40 minute drive plus a bit of time to get everyone in and you've not a long wait in the ground. Agreed though that making them meet 3 hours early would be insane and counter-productive.

[nr637]

Now that there is the potential for a play-off final between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in March 2020, could we consider this as great chance to promote the Union Champions Cup Competition!

[Nesta99]

Dundalk - a welcoming town for Union Jack draped football fans 樂
Would it not have been possible to “park” the away fans in a bar/hotel outside town until near kick off time ? That’s the usual practice in the UK and a lot more palatable for away fans than a three hour coach ride around both Co Louth.

Rovers are not particularly popular and managed to march through the town up to Oriel without confrontation. Not exactly the same but with a police escort as happened prior the that LC final would help mitigate against issues. Aberdeen fans in one group being escorted from Dublin city centre out to Tolka is another example and they had their Union flags albeit not with the same background as a Rangers. Yup it only takes one muppet so maybe prudent to be extra cautious of course but at some point the possibility of a group of supporters from traditionaly Unionist clubs in town prematch will happen. As for bars toward the town, is there one that's suitable, isnt more contentious than town centre ish,ie being in either in South Armagh or Down, North Louth. Lisdoo maybe!? large function rooms and parking for busses. Nah maybe just cans on the bus and go straight to the ground!!

[Nesta99]

Now that there is the potential for a play-off final between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in March 2020, could we consider this as great chance to promote the Union Champions Cup Competition!

Do many of those that attend internationals in Windsor or the Aviva even know there are domestic Irish leagues? It certainly should be promoted as a positive cross border competition at what will be a pivitol fixture for opinion forming if the fixture comes to pass. Somehow it has that destined to happen feel!

[mrtndvn]

Now that there is the potential for a play-off final between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in March 2020, could we consider this as great chance to promote the Union Champions Cup Competition!

No chance Ireland get past Slovakia you mad man.

[Nesta99]

It'll happen even on a peno shoootout, we will be playing in Belfast too. Not wishful thinking, I think it will just go that way. Winning in Belfast would be the shock though!

[LOI101]

Do many of those that attend internationals in Windsor or the Aviva even know there are domestic Irish leagues? It certainly should be promoted as a positive cross border competition at what will be a pivitol fixture for opinion forming if the fixture comes to pass. Somehow it has that destined to happen feel!

Was thinking about this the other day. Conan Byrne tweeted a copy of his article from the programme the other night. Piece was encouraging people to take in a game in the league. Thought the timing was strange with their being no games until February. Internationals during the domestic season should be used by the FAI to promote the league. We'll always have the people at internationals that turn their nose up at the league but the league should be put front and centre at every opportunity. Needs a change of mindset within Abbotstown.

[DavidB]

I agree but you telling me if their was no restrictions on them travelling to Dundalk, their wouldnt have been trouble from both sides?

They only gave tickets to their members. If it was general sale all their scum woukd have travelled

Given the ticket allocation it would never have progressed beyond members and season ticket holders. We have previously travelled to numerous venues down south with no restrictions and no issues.

[Nesta99]

It's very possible that the restrictions were to ensure full safety from the *natives outside the ground.

*there is a large part of the community in Dundalk that are originally from Belfast and left due to The Troubles which carries its own baggage.

[seand]

Let's not go there gents

[Mr A]

Well this thread went to a fairly awful place. Don't have time to be going through it line by line so discussion has been binned as it's going nowhere good.

[Martinho II]

Well this thread went to a fairly awful place. Don't have time to be going through it line by line so discussion has been binned as it's going nowhere good.

I have missed out on a lot so!

[marinobohs]

I have missed out on a lot so!

Trust me, you haven't 😉

[NeverFeltBetter]

Four teams next year, top two from each league: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2020/1120/1179494-champions-cup-to-feature-four-teams-in-2021/

[Yossarian]

Four teams next year, top two from each league: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2020/1120/1179494-champions-cup-to-feature-four-teams-in-2021/

I don’t think it’s the top two as such. Looks like Linfield and Rovers as this years league winners and then next years league winners or the second placed team if Linfield and Rovers win the league again.