Can Larne do it ?

[OwlsFan]

With not much more than a few Antrim Shields to their name, they currently sit top of the league, 5 points clear of the perennial winners, Linfield. Could this be their year? They have a few southerners in their line up as well. I like to see the underdog do it but Linfield have a way of winning the league no matter what.

[JC_GUFC]

Larne have been defensively superb - I think it's 10 clean sheets in their last 12 in the league.

Drawing 0-0 at Coleraine at the weekend isn't a bad result but with Linfield going for 5 league titles in a row they have all the experience. Larne do have home advantage when the teams meet in the split. Both teams have 2 home and 3 away games.

Although just 2 points further back it kind of feels like Cliftonville are running out of steam, they only scraped a late win away at Newry on Saturday and were beaten by Dungannon the week before. They do have 4 of their 5 games at home though.

[Martinho II]

Am I correct in thinking that Larne havent never won the NIFL or any trophy before boys?

[OwlsFan]

A few Antrim Shields and they won the 2nd division a few seasons ago. This is new territory for them.

[EalingGreen]

Larne winning 2-0 at Cliftonville tonight means Linfield have to get a result against Glentoran at Windsor tomorrow just to stay in the race.

A Linfield win would still leave Larne only needing one win from their last three games to clinch the title.

While a Linfield draw would leave Larne only needing a draw.

A loss to the Glens would mean that was it done.

[toffeejay84]

Hard to see Larne not winning it now, the Cliftonville game was the key test for them. I think they should be able to have it wrapped up before hosting Linfield.

[EalingGreen]

The Glens snatched a draw at Windsor tonight, via an injury time equaliser by Bobby Burns - he loves scoring against that lot lol.

Leaves Larne 9 points ahead of Linfield, each with 3 games left, meaning one more point absolutely guarantees the Inver men the title.

Obviously I'm disappointed that the Glens' season fizzled away to nothing after a decent start but still, fair play to Larme - worthy wionners over the season.

And they aren't Linfield! :D

[CraftyToePoke]

So they've done it I see, whats the background here ? Is there a chequebook super hero recently involved or where did this come from ?

Also, forgive me but Irish League would hardly be on my radar at all apart from a few usual suspect clubs, it kind of presents as a Rangers minus a Celtic set up & a bit one horse & dull. What would the League of Ireland equivalent story be theoretically ?

[seanfhear]

Nice to see an under-dog win something. Even better when it is a league.

[pineapple stu]

So they've done it I see, whats the background here ? Is there a chequebook super hero recently involved or where did this come from ?
There is, yep. Larne are a bit like Derry in that a very successful businessman is happy to lash money into his local club - one of the founders of Purple Bricks, the online estate agents, in this case. Still, there's worse ways of spending your money I guess.

Be interesting to see how they go in Europe - they had a great run good season and could easily be the first IL side to make the group stages of Europe. Linfield were seconds away this season

[EalingGreen]

There is, yep. Larne are a bit like Derry in that a very successful businessman is happy to lash money into his local club - one of the founders of Purple Bricks, the online estate agents, in this case. Still, there's worse ways of spending your money I guess.

When Kenny Bruce - brought up in Larne and one of two brothers who founded online Estate Agency Purple Bricks - bought Larne FC, I would have been wary, because the club itself was in a very bad way, while there had been talk of the ground being sold for redevelopment etc, meaning that they'd have to find another home etc. In other words, ripe for a property play.

But fair play to him, for not only has he ploughed money into the team (transfer fees and wages etc), but he's also rebuilt the ground (3 sides so far) and training facilities etc and encouraged the town to get behind the team, such that they're now getting crowds of around 2k, when they were nearer 200 when he took over. (Population of the town is just under 20k).

Here is what he said last November:
"What has come into the club so far is about £5 million," he told BBC Sport.

"We are in a really good, sound financial position. We have got no debt, we own all of our facilities and we don't have to pay rent to anyone else, so we are in a good solid position to move forward."

Asked if Larne would be sustainable if it were not for his own personal investment, the native of the East Antrim town said he feels positive about the direction the club is heading.

"Every single month we are getting closer and closer to sustainability," he continued.

"Of course, developing players and securing transfer fees for those players is going to be very, very important, as is getting into European football. But from our perspective we are seeing really good signs that it is becoming sustainable."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63522694

While here is a more general overview of their progress since he took over in 2017:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65251194

[OwlsFan]

Giving a good account of themselves again this year. Two in a row ?

[EalingGreen]

Giving a good account of themselves again this year. Two in a row ?In pole position, though it's a 3-way race between Larne (70 pts), Cliftonville (67 pts) and Linfield (66 pts), all on 29 games played, with the split to come.

After a slightly inconsistent start, Larne have really hit their straps recently, incl a big win over Linfield, who themselves have stumbled recently after their flying start. Cliftonville have hung on in there throughout and have a huge game tonight at home to Linfield - win that and it could be a huge boost or blow respectively to the two teams' morale.

At the moment, the bookies have Larne 8/15 for the title, with Cliftonville and Linfield both 3/1 - tonight's result could shift the last two's odds a tad, I guess.

Table here: https://www.nifootballleague.com/premiership/2023-2024/standings/

[Martinho II]

Awful pity theres no highlights show any more like they had recently on the BBC! Even matches live you have to watch them on BBC iplayer. Pity.

[EalingGreen]

Awful pity theres no highlights show any more like they had recently on the BBC! Even matches live you have to watch them on BBC iplayer. Pity.
True, though watching live games via iPlayer on a Smart TV is still pretty good.

Meanwhile, the Blue Shytehawks beat Cliftonville 3-0 at Solitude tonight - good for the title race, if not so good for my humour!

[Martinho II]

Didnt know that Jim Magilton is manager now in NIFL. Where was he got from Ealing Green?

[OwlsFan]

Looks like a two horse race now.

[EalingGreen]

Didnt know that Jim Magilton is manager now in NIFL. Where was he got from Ealing Green?After his spell as Asst to Michael O'Neill at Shams, he had a short, unsuccessful (and messy?) few months at Melbourne Victory.

Then after a year not appearing to do very much, he was appointed Elite Performance Director by the IFA in 2013. I assume that Michael O'Neill had a say (the say?) in that. Seemed to do a good job in that role, I think including being responsible for setting up Club NI (youth development pathway which brought through Conor Bradley and some others). Later became U-21's manager and eventually after 7 1/2 years with the IFA, left to take up a role at Dundalk, which I'm sure you know more about than me.

Then after another period of not-very-much, he took over at Clftonville in the summer. It's fair to say that his was not a popular appointment with Reds fans at the time, but I suspect that he's turning them round, for even though they're now probably out of the title race (not completely certain with the Split still to come), to have kept them in the running this far as a part-time outfit against far better resourced f-t teams in Larne and Linfield (and Glentoran :rolleyes:) is to his credit.

No reports of him head-butting any of his players yet. :cool:

[Martinho II]

After his spell as Asst to Michael O'Neill at Shams, he had a short, unsuccessful (and messy?) few months at Melbourne Victory.

Then after a year not appearing to do very much, he was appointed Elite Performance Director by the IFA in 2013. I assume that Michael O'Neill had a say (the say?) in that. Seemed to do a good job in that role, I think including being responsible for setting up Club NI (youth development pathway which brought through Conor Bradley and some others). Later became U-21's manager and eventually after 7 1/2 years with the IFA, left to take up a role at Dundalk, which I'm sure you know more about than me.

Then after another period of not-very-much, he took over at Clftonville in the summer. It's fair to say that his was not a popular appointment with Reds fans at the time, but I suspect that he's turning them round, for even though they're now probably out of the title race (not completely certain with the Split still to come), to have kept them in the running this far as a part-time outfit against far better resourced f-t teams in Larne and Linfield (and Glentoran :rolleyes:) is to his credit.

No reports of him head-butting any of his players yet. :cool:

Im intrigued with the allegations on head-butting when did JM do this?

[EalingGreen]

Im intrigued with the allegations on head-butting when did JM do this?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1236479/Jim-Magilton-leaves-QPR-players-Akos-Buzsaky-head-butt-row.html

[OwlsFan]

Was his nickname not "Gentleman Jim Magilton" or am I imagining that ?

[seanfhear]

Was his nickname not "Gentleman Jim Magilton" or am I imagining that ?
Maybe its an ironic / sarcastic nickname ? !

[OwlsFan]

Two points in it and April 13: Linfield v Larne

[Martinho II]

Two points in it and April 13: Linfield v Larne

Larne surely have to be favourites Owlsfan?

[OwlsFan]

Larne surely have to be favourites Owlsfan?

I'd never bet against Linfield. They've only won the League close on every second year since its inception.

[seanfhear]

I'd never bet against Linfield. They've only won the League close on every second year since its inception.Unlucky really ! ! !

[OwlsFan]

Larne 8-1 Cliftonville (!) but Linfield snatch a late winner away at Crusaders.

[seanfhear]

Larne 8-1 Cliftonville (!) but Linfield snatch a late winner away at Crusaders.
What's going on at Cliftonville ? !

[cláirseach]

What's going on at Cliftonville ? !

Having a good season overall with a sold-out cup final to look forward to.

[EalingGreen]

Having a good season overall with a sold-out cup final to look forward to.And pretty much guaranteed Europe next season (I'm assuming).

[EalingGreen]

"Can Larne do it?"

Certainly can - drew 1-1 at Linfield tonight, leaving them 3 points ahead of the Blues, with one game each remaining, but Larne with a 17 goal superior GD.

And it was a very interesting finish to the season post-split. Prior to tonight the advantage had switched between the two teams a couple of times in recent weeks, so that by the previous round of games a week ago, Linfield were beating Coleraine 2-1 at the 90 minute mark, which would have taken them to 85 points. Meanwhile Larne were drawing 1-1 at Glentoran, which would have left them on 84 points going into tonight's encounter.

Then Linfield conceded an equaliser to Coleraine, while Larne got the winner at The Oval, courtesy of a Glentoran own goal(!), both in the very dying seconds.

Oh dear.

How sad.

Never mind.

:D

[Martinho II]

Fair play to Larne they must be by far the richest club in the NIFL!

[EalingGreen]

Fair play to Larne they must be by far the richest club in the NIFL!Possibly the richest (not certain), but even if so, it's certainly not "by far". I wouldn't be surprised if Linfield, traditionally prudent (read "tight") with their money, have now upped their budget to meet the challenge by Larne. They've certainly gone completely full-time over the last couple of seasons, as have the Glens. Remember, too, that Limnfield receive a big income from the IFA for Windsor every year.

While at Glentoran, I heard they've had to install bigger drains in the Directors' toilets, since they're p i s sing so much money up the walls. :(

[EalingGreen]

Meanwhile, there's a helluva race for promotion from the Championship. Portadown are already up as Champions, in place of Newry. While the 2nd placed team gets a play-off against Ballymena U, who will finish 11th (i.e. 2nd lowest) in the Prem.

Which is where it gets v.interesting:
"Incredibly, with just one round of fixtures left, Bangor, Dundela and Annagh United are tied in second spot on 67 points, while Institute are just one point back on 66.
With a place in the Premiership’s Promotion/Relegation Play-Off against Ballymena United up for grabs, Friday night’s games will be nail-biting affairs.
As has been well documented, Dundela cannot gain promotion due to the size of their Wilgar Park pitch, so the race for the Play-Off spot is between the other three sides.
That means the game at Tandragee Road between Annagh and Bangor is a winner-takes-all affair, with the victor guaranteed a shot at Ballymena for a place in the Premiership.
Things will get interesting, though, if Annagh and the Seasiders draw. If that happens and Institute defeat already-promoted Portadown at Shamrock Park, it will be the Londonderry club that takes on the Sky Blues.
If, however, Stute fail to beat the Ports in that scenario, Bangor will nick the Play-Off spot on goal difference."
https://www.nifootballleague.com/championship/2023-2024/standings/

Incidentally, should Annagh (a Portadown club) achieve promotion, that would be pretty remarkable for football in Mid-Ulster, since there would be four Premiership teams within just a few miles of each other, Annagh, Ports, Glenavon and Loughgall. This would see Lurgan to Loughgall as the furthest distance to travel at 13 miles (incidentally with Dungannon Swifts just another 10 miles further west), making Armagh 'The Derby County"! :cool:

[OwlsFan]

"Can Larne do it?"

Certainly can - drew 1-1 at Linfield tonight, leaving them 3 points ahead of the Blues, with one game each remaining, but Larne with a 17 goal superior GD.

And it was a very interesting finish to the season post-split. Prior to tonight the advantage had switched between the two teams a couple of times in recent weeks, so that by the previous round of games a week ago, Linfield were beating Coleraine 2-1 at the 90 minute mark, which would have taken them to 85 points. Meanwhile Larne were drawing 1-1 at Glentoran, which would have left them on 84 points going into tonight's encounter.

Then Linfield conceded an equaliser to Coleraine, while Larne got the winner at The Oval, courtesy of a Glentoran own goal(!), both in the very dying seconds.

Oh dear.

How sad.

Never mind.

:D

I saw the game on TV. Well done Larne but I was surprised to see all the empty seats for this top of the table clash.

[Martinho II]

Its mad that in the top flight there isnt really too many Co Armagh teams in it. I have relatives livin in Armagh City do they have a side in the lower pyramid in NIFL lads?

[pineapple stu]

I was at an Armagh City game a few years back when they were top flight

I think they were relegated for licensing reasons a couple of years later and may be third tier now

[EalingGreen]

Its mad that in the top flight there isnt really too many Co Armagh teams in it.I'm not so sure about that. Glenavon and Portadown have always been fixtures in the top flight, notwithstanding Ports screwing up a couple of times in recent seasons and dropping (usually briefly) into the second tier. While Armagh City and Loughgall have also had spells up there.

Remember, too, that there are only ever 12 places in the top flight, with only one automatic relegation place (plus another play-off possibility). Then consider that Belfast (1/3rd of the population of NI) and Antrim (most populous county) are both traditional football centres and take up the majority of places. Then add in Ards, Bangor, Newry and Warrenpoint (Down), Dungannon (Tyrone), Ballinamallard (Fermanagh), Coleraine and Institute (Derry), who are all established top flight teams or contenders, and you'll see that there aren't too many places for Co. Armagh.

Finally, while football is well represented in the north of the county, the south of the county is strong GAA territory. So that I'd say Armagh having three top flight teams next season, never mind a possible four, is actually pretty good representation.

Tbh, I'd say that the top two tiers of the pyramid reflect a very wide representation of football throughout Northern Ireland.


I have relatives livin in Armagh City do they have a side in the lower pyramid in NIFL lads?Yes, Armagh C are in the Premier Intermediate League (3rd tier) and hoping for promotion to the Championship.

Limavady are already promoted as Champions, but the team finishing second gets to play Dergview FC, who finished second-bottom in the Championship, for a second promotion place.

And with one game left in the season, this could be another close call.

Armagh C are second on 49 points, with a GD of +18. They're at home to mid-table Lisburn Distillery on Saturday, need a point to ensure 2nd, and may not even need that (as follows).

Rathfriland Rovers, in their first ever season at this level, are 3rd on 46 points with a GD of +22. They are at home to Ballymacash Rangers, who are 4th on 46 points with a GD of +21.

Meaning Armagh must be strong favourites.
https://www.nifootballleague.com/premier-intermediate/2023-2024/standings/

[Martinho II]

I'm not so sure about that. Glenavon and Portadown have always been fixtures in the top flight, notwithstanding Ports screwing up a couple of times in recent seasons and dropping (usually briefly) into the second tier. While Armagh City and Loughgall have also had spells up there.

Remember, too, that there are only ever 12 places in the top flight, with only one automatic relegation place (plus another play-off possibility). Then consider that Belfast (1/3rd of the population of NI) and Antrim (most populous county) are both traditional football centres and take up the majority of places. Then add in Ards, Bangor, Newry and Warrenpoint (Down), Dungannon (Tyrone), Ballinamallard (Fermanagh), Coleraine and Institute (Derry), who are all established top flight teams or contenders, and you'll see that there aren't too many places for Co. Armagh.

Finally, while football is well represented in the north of the county, the south of the county is strong GAA territory. So that I'd say Armagh having three top flight teams next season, never mind a possible four, is actually pretty good representation.

Tbh, I'd say that the top two tiers of the pyramid reflect a very wide representation of football throughout Northern Ireland.

Yes, Armagh C are in the Premier Intermediate League (3rd tier) and hoping for promotion to the Championship.

Limavady are already promoted as Champions, but the team finishing second gets to play Dergview FC, who finished second-bottom in the Championship, for a second promotion place.

And with one game left in the season, this could be another close call.

Armagh C are second on 49 points, with a GD of +18. They're at home to mid-table Lisburn Distillery on Saturday, need a point to ensure 2nd, and may not even need that (as follows).

Rathfriland Rovers, in their first ever season at this level, are 3rd on 46 points with a GD of +22. They are at home to Ballymacash Rangers, who are 4th on 46 points with a GD of +21.

Meaning Armagh must be strong favourites.
https://www.nifootballleague.com/premier-intermediate/2023-2024/standings/

Thats the thing with the NIFL down south Im only aware of the top flight and the championship and not the division below! Had heard of a few of the 3rd tier teams before years back and was wonderin where they had disappeared to?

[EalingGreen]

Meanwhile, there's a helluva race for promotion from the Championship. Portadown are already up as Champions, in place of Newry. While the 2nd placed team gets a play-off against Ballymena U, who will finish 11th (i.e. 2nd lowest) in the Prem.

[i]"Incredibly, with just one round of fixtures left, Bangor, Dundela and Annagh United are tied in second spot on 67 points, while Institute are just one point back on 66.
With a place in the Premiership’s Promotion/Relegation Play-Off against Ballymena United up for grabs, Friday night’s games will be nail-biting affairs.

That means the game at Tandragee Road between Annagh and Bangor is a winner-takes-all affair, with the victor guaranteed a shot at Ballymena for a place in the Premiership.
Things will get interesting, though, if Annagh and the Seasiders draw. If that happens and Institute defeat already-promoted Portadown at Shamrock Park, it will be the Londonderry club that takes on the Sky Blues.
Well, that was against the odds!

Annagh and Bangor drew 0-0, while Stute won 1-0 at Ports, meaning Stute get the play-off vs B'mena.

Here is what the Derry News had had to say before this final round:
In the 44th and final game of a season no-one expected, Institute can clinch a promotion play-off spot, but only if things go their way at Shamrock Park and elsewhere tomorrow night.
Kevin Deery and Mo Mahon could surely not have expected to be in this position when they took over at a club bereft of confidence last summer, but here they are, nine months later, on the verge of something remarkable if they can pull one last performance out of their squad.
Just a few short weeks ago, ‘Stute were right in the title picture, but a return of one win in four, and especially, five dropped points at home in the last two weeks, has denied them that possibility. Yet hope still remains, and a win at the home of champions Portadown, plus a draw between Bangor and Annagh elsewhere would mean ‘Stute finishing second and in that play-off spot.
There is currently just one point between second place and fifth, where ‘Stute sit, and anything can still happen at the end of the most remarkable promotion battle the Championship has seen for many years.
“It's incredible. It's so tight,” Kevin Deery agreed. “We've only lost three games away from home this year. Our away form has been much better than our home form so we'll take positives from that.
“We've 66 points now. It's a big turnaround for a team that didn't accumulate that in two seasons, who, by the skin of their noses, just saved themselves a relegation play-off against Ballymacash and now we've been challenging for promotion all year.
“We have a competitive budget, one of the most difficult in the league and we've had a great, great return on what the players have given us and we can only be positive about them. But to get better we need to try and grow the club and get more investment, and sign the better players that are willing to come to us.”
Portadown have beaten ‘Stute twice this season already, but Deery’s side did beat them at the Brandywell back in November. With the title won, the hosts have nothing left to play for, and that could be a factor n how results go tomorrow night. Whatever happens, ‘Stute know they must win at Shamrock Park.

[OwlsFan]

Great cup final and first win in 45 years for Cliftonville. Excellent atmosphere as well (for obvious reasons).

[EalingGreen]

Great cup final and first win in 45 years for Cliftonville. Excellent atmosphere as well (for obvious reasons).Good for the Game that the Reds won it. :good:

And good for the Soul that the Blues didn't. :wink:

Incidentally I read that the full 15k tickets sold out virtually straightaway. And even if this final had exceptional demand, it shows the potential for support when you can get it right (also how short sighted the IFA was in limiting capacity to 18k).

[seanfhear]

Good for the Game that the Reds won it. :good:

And good for the Soul that the Blues didn't. :wink:

Incidentally I read that the full 15k tickets sold out virtually straightaway. And even if this final had exceptional demand, it shows the potential for support when you can get it right (also how short sighted the IFA was in limiting capacity to 18k).
Should have played it at, the Aviva or even Croke Park ! !

[Martinho II]

Delighted for Cliftonville that they finally broke their duck. Was in their grounds in 2019 when Longford Town played them in a friendly. Lovely ground!

[OwlsFan]

Well Larne certainly can't do it in Europe :(

[seanfhear]

Well Larne certainly can't do it in Europe :(
Is it the EU ? !