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I don't know if you have been following some recent topics eg AIL one, but some one jibed about the IL being a duck pond and that Linfields achievements mean nothing because we are like a big whale in a duck pond.Quote:
Originally Posted by galwayhoop
So basically it was a bit of banter back. Obviously I do expect Linfield to qualify and win this thing, but I know it is a lot more difficult than I have made it out to be lol
Is there a full fixture list out there yet?
2 tough groups IMO, group 2 slighty tougher that group 1. Cliftonville are going very well so far this year, hard to know what cork will be like this season under new management.
Tuesday 26th February
Group 1
Drogheda vs Cliftonville
Dungannon vs Cork
Monday 10th March
Group 2
Linfield vs Derry City
Glentoran vs St Pats
Tuesday 18th March
Group 1
Cork vs Drogheda
Cliftonville vs Dungannon
Monday 7th April
Group 2
Glentoran vs Linfield
Derry City vs St Pats
Monday 14th April
Group 1
Cork City vs Cliftonville
Dungannon vs Drogheda
Tuesday 15th April
Group 2
Glentoran vs Derry City
St Pats vs Linfield
Monday 1st September
Group 1
Cliftonville vs Cork
Drogheda vs Dungannon
Tuesday 2nd September
Group 2
Derry City vs Glentoran
Linfield vs St Pats
Monday 15th September
Group 1
Drogheda vs Cork
Dungannon vs Cliftonville
Group 2
Linfield vs Glentoran
St Pats vs Derry
Monday 22nd September
Group 1
Cliftonville vs Drogheda
Dungannon vs Cork
Tuesday 23rd September
Group 2
Derry vs Linfield
Glentoran vs St Pats
Monday 6th October
Semi final: winner G1 vs Runner up G2
Tuesday 7th October
Semi final: Winner G2 vs Runner up G1
Saturday 18th October
Final
The 2nd group is an absolute corker of a group. Will try to take in some games this year.
One of these is wrong anywayQuote:
Originally Posted by Graemerz
Is it the hardest group though ???Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Bruce
On current/recent league form - Drogs are better than Pats and Derry, Cork are better than Derry, and Cliftonville are better than Dungannon, and possibly also Linfield, depending on how their games-in-hand pan out. So how does all that make Group A the hardest...? :confused: Or is it just the usual Linfield-centric attitude.
I'm usually not one for conspiracy theories, but after 3 years in a row of Derry, Linfield and Glentoran in the same group I could sware the whole thing is fixed. Seriously.
I wouldn't consider our group to be any together than the other group. Both groups are as tough as each other IMO.
This should be St Pats v Glentoran,otherwise we'd be kicking off with 2 away games.Quote:
Originally Posted by Graemerz
Three years in a row of us the Glens and Derry City is enough for me to say that Setanta will be losing my support, and a lot of other people's support also. It is supposed to be a draw ffs..
Agreed, the novelty has well and truly worn off. How do they expect the cup to retain any appeal when they serve up almost identical fixtures every year?Quote:
Originally Posted by LeviathanNI
I was about to say it seems like Linfield and Glentoran are in the same group every year. Along with Derry.
Drogs and Cork always seem to be together too.
Surely can't be that hard to mix things up a bit.
Obviously it would make too much sense if they played that game on the Monday!Quote:
Originally Posted by Graemerz
Quote:
Originally Posted by Graemerz
Well going on last year Derry are a bit behind the other LOI teams so they cancel out Dungannon... ;)
Looking forward to visting Linfield and Glentoran.
I'm sure it's scheduled there for a reason. I doubt they do these things just to be awkward ! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Raheny Red
Are there not other sports on Paddy's Day that might be televised anyway? I know BBC or whoever always schedules some NI schools rugby thing, foR example. Is there no GAA on Paddy's Day ?
School's rugby final is on Paddy's Day. I assume Setanta are showing that this year again.
Be interesting to see how that 'massive' club from Dublin do this year...im sure the Setanta viewing figures will break the record for those games...not.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
Don't get your hopes up. You're ushered straight off the coach and into the ground, watch the match and then thrown back on the coach and back to Dublin. Linfield is OK due to the better atmosphere but Glentoran's home crowd is an embarrassment.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
Of course not but if the heads in charge ever decided to play games on bank hols in this country it would ensure a slight better crowd rather than playing the fixture the following day which happens quite alot in the eL.Quote:
Originally Posted by dcfcsteve
Apart from the result we'd a great trip to Linfield last year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Raheny Red
Never been so welcomed at at football game in my life.
Food and Drink laid on at the Shankill Rd, everyone in the ground beforehand stopping to chat and saying to enjoy it.
Great experience
Was that just for a small group of yiz or a few coachloads though?Quote:
Originally Posted by micls