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I honestly can't see any problems occurring when you guys come up. One thing I know for sure, though, is that you will get an extremely warm welcome and friendly faces at the Oval. Really looking forward to (hopefully) meeting some of you on the 13th. Do any of you have plans to stay overnight, or are you all buggering off back home after the game? Would be nice to have a chat over a pint or three in the Park Avenue post-match.
We're going to get a PSNI escort too
Shelbourne fans will only be allowed in if they're on the official buses (tickets actually handed out on the buses only), so no pre-match drinks anyways! I'd imagine most will get the buses home again afterwards (I will be anyways, work @ 9AM :()
I can't see to much of a problem for Shels fans.The Glens fans are great so they'll not bother you.The housing estate you go through is a bit scary but from my experience things should be fine.We got escorted to the ground from near the motorway.We parked beside H&W shipyard and walked the 5 mins to the ground.The PSNI were everywhere and there wasn't a sinner on the street.I'm sure Glens are working really hard with the PSNI to ensure it passes off without a hitch so i'd go.I know the tension will be high compared to when we went up but like i said i'm sure the clubs and PSNI realise this and are doing their best to prevent any trouble.
It's probably a bit different in a Derry supporters case but I would be wary of travelling to Belfawst at all in the Summer. 12th might be the main date but it is a marching "season".
To be honest, I think this whole "trouble" thing is being blown out of proportion somewhat. I can understand Shels fans being wary of potential trouble and being concerned for their safety, but I think it's been hyped up a little too much. Leave the tricolours at home and you should be fine. Like I said, you'll receive a warm reception from us at the Oval.
I have no doubt that every glen man will welcome Shels but as shown by incidents at the Brandywell it is outside the ground that is a gray area. Pity that the general publics apathy to local football stops when politics is invovled :mad: . Any trouble would be a huge blow to any idea of an All-Ireland league.
Jesus, take it easy, it's not that bad. I live 100m from Windsor Park and I'm not going anywhere.Quote:
Originally Posted by OneRedArmy
Wouldn't be bothered at all by it. The Oval itself is grand, ye can wear a Derry top in there, and people keep asking when we're coming back to the IL(aye, right then :rolleyes: ). Glens fans are grand though, usually.
Park wherever's handiest, there'll be RUC everywhere anyway.
As for buses, you'll be escorted.
Wouldn't bother with the pint around the ground, if ye need to kill some time, head to the city centre.
I'm planning on going to the match meself. So Shels fans can't buy tickets at the ground? Will have to try and blag my way into the Shels section so. Worked for the Longford game.
Wouldn't worry about security, the place will be swarmed with peelers, inside and out. Just avoid the pubs.
Having been up there, I'd have no problems going back, marching season or not. As Wiseguy said, the buses will be escorted to the H&W yard (I heard they're tearing most of the yard down to create a new town centre, leaving one of the big yellow arc-type structures in place). There was a massive PSNI presence, at least eight paddywagans.
The away fans enter via a different entrance, through a caged tunnel. We got a great welcome. It was a pity that more didn't travel, but the mid-week element, plus the hype, put too many off. It was actually annoying that there was no interaction between the fans.
For the return leg, a heap of the Glens fans stayed on in Longford and went on a session in one of the local pubs, drinking till the wee hours, singing songs.
As Forza said, the trouble element is hyped up. Don't think you'll be able to bring the tricolours in - we were certainly warned about it from the Setanta cup organisers. You'll be annoyed if you don't go, especially if you get a result - we almost did!