New crossborder tournament: Unite the Union Champions Cup

Enjoyable game, disappointing crowd but that was expected. Much better 2nd half by Dundalk and the sort of passing tempo that was missing last Sunday. Whather that was down to opposition, form, or having Shields back in the side its hard to know. The FT/PT training stuff didnt seem to make a difference. Its still hard to firgure out how Linfield were so effective v Qarbag compared to our own performances against the same opposition looking at the teams tonight. If Hery was a little less sloppy with his pasing he would be playing elsewhere, he does some great stuff and then just switches off or something. All in all there is potential for this champions fixture to grow.

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Originally Posted by redarmyfaction

The history of the trade union movent is like the Popular Front of Judea in reverse. Instead of fragmenting, tiny specialist unions like the Allied Copper Boiler Pluugers Accociation morph into large corporate entities.

The thing is that partition survives to this day in the movement, some unions though less now than before still pledge to the UK rather than Liberty Hall. Janey, even the solid Sinn Fein building workers used to be in UCATT and would die for independence except......

I thought this place was about the working man's sport in a middle class world, but maybe not.

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It was Government policy to minimise the number of trade unions as it was felt the myriad of different unions led to the ridiculously high level of industrial action in the 1970s. I seem to recall the State made funding available for the legal costs of unions merging. Merges often led to name changes ITGWU merged to form SIPTU the biggest union in Ireland - same applies to FORSA and MANDATE.
UNITE was similarly a new entity formed on a merger.

Anyhow, back to football, disappointing to see the small crowd at the game. Decent game and Dubdalk looked stronger so would expect them to finish the job at Oriel Park.
While the security overkill may have deterred people attending it's still a very disappointing crowd.

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Originally Posted by marinobohs

Anyhow, back to football, disappointing to see the small crowd at the game. Decent game and Dubdalk looked stronger so would expect them to finish the job at Oriel Park.
While the security overkill may have deterred people attending it's still a very disappointing crowd.

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Some 300 over the average Linfield attendance, according to media reports.

Apart from most people having to travel to the game by bus, the security was no more intrusive than a trip to Tallaght and to be honest it was well organised. Some of the chants from our crowd were ridiculous but to be expected unfortunately. There were plenty of Dundalk fans roaring at the group singing certain chants. We couldn’t hear the Linfield fans that much but I gather there were some poorly advised chants from there though I did see them continually hold up a Paratroop regiment flag. It’s a pity but this game was always going to attract that type and I think Monday will be worse.
On the game itself, I think we left it behind. We had a lot of possess without really threatening but when we increased the pace and tempo we were much better. I thought the ref was good and let plenty go for both sides, that our own refs would be falling over themselves to punish.

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Originally Posted by Ezeikial

Some 300 over the average Linfield attendance, according to media reports.

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The guts of 3 k was a good crowd for this game and more than i thought. And its the muppets on both sides not too bothered about watching whats on the pitch preferring to sing nice love ditties to each other that perpetuate the neanderthal attitudes that hold this island back.

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Originally Posted by Ezeikial

Some 300 over the average Linfield attendance, according to media reports.

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A poor, and somewhat irrelevant measure of the interest in the competition.

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Originally Posted by Mr_Parker

A poor, and somewhat irrelevant measure of the interest in the competition.

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For someone who professes to be interested primarilt in 'facts', I thought this might appeal to you.

Obviously not, instead you offer ambiguous negative opinion - why do you think that the average Linfield attendance is a poor or irrelevant measure?

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Originally Posted by Yossarian

Apart from most people having to travel to the game by bus, the security was no more intrusive than a trip to Tallaght and to be honest it was well organised. Some of the chants from our crowd were ridiculous but to be expected unfortunately. There were plenty of Dundalk fans roaring at the group singing certain chants. We couldn’t hear the Linfield fans that much but I gather there were some poorly advised chants from there though I did see them continually hold up a Paratroop regiment flag. It’s a pity but this game was always going to attract that type and I think Monday will be worse.
On the game itself, I think we left it behind. We had a lot of possess without really threatening but when we increased the pace and tempo we were much better. I thought the ref was good and let plenty go for both sides, that our own refs would be falling over themselves to punish.

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The stewarding and policing was excellent - friendly, professional, efficient. There were more 'welcome' and 'safe home' good wishes offered by police and security staff last night than what I would expect in an full season of loi away trips

The spontaneous negative reaction from a large proportion of Dundalk fans to the more inflammatory IRA chants was encouraging

I expect Dundalk to finish to tie off in Oriel Park on Monday

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Originally Posted by Mr_Parker

A poor, and somewhat irrelevant measure of the interest in the competition.

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Their was more there than last time they played Cliftonville so its relevant.

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Originally Posted by Ezeikial

For someone who professes to be interested primarilt in 'facts', I thought this might appeal to you.

Obviously not, instead you offer ambiguous negative opinion - why do you think that the average Linfield attendance is a poor or irrelevant measure?

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A one of cup game, a final at that, cannot be compared to league attendances, especially a fixture that involves the top 2 clubs on the island.

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Originally Posted by Mr_Parker

A one of cup game, a final at that, cannot be compared to league attendances, especially a fixture that involves the top 2 clubs on the island.

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Cannot be compared to a league game alright. This may have been called a final, but it's a glorified friendly IMO. Most fans would be more interested in the bread and butter of winning 3 points in the league IMO.

I was actually very disappointed in the quality of both sides. Linfield where very negative and dundalk offered little in offense.

As far as how we where so effective in Europe? well the simple answer to that is we played much much better than Friday.

Let's not kid ourselves here this is a glorified friendly, as our manager said before Friday night, our biggest game in the next 3 matches is Institute. It was highly unlikely Linfield where going to risk adding to our injury list by going all out for 2 meaningless games vs dundalk.

[QUOTE=sullanefc;2022980]Cannot be compared to a league game alright. This may have been called a final, but it's a glorified friendly IMO. Most fans would be more interested in the bread and butter of winning 3 points in the league IMO.[/QUOTE

Rubbish, trophy at stake, very decent prize money, two best teams on the island. It was or should be far more attractive than an average League game.]

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Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

I was actually very disappointed in the quality of both sides. Linfield where very negative and dundalk offered little in offense.

As far as how we where so effective in Europe? well the simple answer to that is we played much much better than Friday.

Let's not kid ourselves here this is a glorified friendly, as our manager said before Friday night, our biggest game in the next 3 matches is Institute. It was highly unlikely Linfield where going to risk adding to our injury list by going all out for 2 meaningless games vs dundalk.

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Meaningless game = we were outplayed. 😁

I don't think we where outplayed although I thought we didn't get out of 2nd gear but each to their own.

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Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

I don't think we where outplayed although I thought we didn't get out of 2nd gear but each to their own.

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I suspect your enthusiasm (or lack of it) is related to Linfields chances of winning.
Not outplayed TBF but Dundalk were better side.

Nice to see a linfield fan posting keep them coming always good to get different views, Would there be any Linfield fans in favor of combining the 2 leagues.

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Originally Posted by marinobohs

I suspect your enthusiasm (or lack of it) is related to Linfields chances of winning.
Not outplayed TBF but Dundalk were better side.

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Linfield were decent i thought, especially first half. Dundalk loads ball but we never done anything with it.

I think Vinny will go full strength tomorrow night and we will win easily

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Originally Posted by Nesta99

Enjoyable game, disappointing crowd but that was expected. Much better 2nd half by Dundalk and the sort of passing tempo that was missing last Sunday. Whather that was down to opposition, form, or having Shields back in the side its hard to know. The FT/PT training stuff didnt seem to make a difference. Its still hard to firgure out how Linfield were so effective v Qarbag compared to our own performances against the same opposition looking at the teams tonight. If Hery was a little less sloppy with his pasing he would be playing elsewhere, he does some great stuff and then just switches off or something. All in all there is potential for this champions fixture to grow.

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Nesta your PM box is full I can't reply to your message. PM me your email/phone or sort out your inbox ;-)

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Originally Posted by seand

Nesta your PM box is full I can't reply to your message. PM me your email/phone or sort out your inbox ;-)

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Done!

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Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

I was actually very disappointed in the quality of both sides. Linfield where very negative and dundalk offered little in offense.

As far as how we where so effective in Europe? well the simple answer to that is we played much much better than Friday.

Let's not kid ourselves here this is a glorified friendly, as our manager said before Friday night, our biggest game in the next 3 matches is Institute. It was highly unlikely Linfield where going to risk adding to our injury list by going all out for 2 meaningless games vs dundalk.

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Hardly meaningless if there is €25,000 on the line.

Although I see Larne play Crusaders tonight on Sky in a direct clash with this game. Silly.

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Originally Posted by Kingswood Rover

Nice to see a linfield fan posting keep them coming always good to get different views, Would there be any Linfield fans in favor of combining the 2 leagues.

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Their are a number of Linfield fans in favour of an AIL. Whether or not they are in favour of the Lucid AIL is up for debate though.

I can see pros and cons to it. Theirs certainly fixtures I would love to see on a regular basis, the biggest game for me on this island would be Linfield vs Shamrock Rovers.

But then theirs the downsides, for me the one that I can't get past is the sectarianism. I'm not going to come on here and blast Dundalk as a club or their fan base, but their was a sizable amount made the journey to Belfast with the sole purpose to stir up a sectarian pot. Linfield supporters where not completely innocent either may I add, but I do believe that if the chants from the Dundalk end where focused on football chants, their wouldn't have been a reaction, not that, that's an excuse either.

Linfield have tried very hard and we have all but eradicated the sectarian element in our support and the last thing Linfield football club needs is to be dragged back..

Anyway, I know I'm going on with myself here, I'm sure people will see it much differently, but as a supporter of Linfield, All I want is whats best for Linfield and for me personally, I feel an AIL isn't the best thing for Linfield right this minute in time, although I'm not writing off an AIL in the future.

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Originally Posted by marinobohs

I suspect your enthusiasm (or lack of it) is related to Linfields chances of winning.
Not outplayed TBF but Dundalk were better side.

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Dundalk are the best side on this island, my lack of enthusiasm is because we are now 3 games behind in our league coming into the christmas period. It's nothing to do with if we get beat or not. I like Linfield to test themselves against top teams, but the timing of this couldn't be worse. It really isn't that important to us, although it's nice to win, but it wont define our season one way or another.

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Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid

Hardly meaningless if there is €25,000 on the line.

Although I see Larne play Crusaders tonight on Sky in a direct clash with this game. Silly.

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Our domestic football should not be changed because of a friendly 2 legged game between our legs. Money is great, but that doesn't give the game any automatic prestige. If the Co Antrim shield got a massive sponsor and their was 1M for the winners, yes the clubs will take it seriously, but the fans wont be going out in their droves just because of the big money. It's still a low prestige competition.

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Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

Our domestic football should not be changed because of a friendly 2 legged game between our legs. Money is great, but that doesn't give the game any automatic prestige. If the Co Antrim shield got a massive sponsor and their was 1M for the winners, yes the clubs will take it seriously, but the fans wont be going out in their droves just because of the big money. It's still a low prestige competition.

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I totally agree with you. just Bizarre that the UTUCP Final would be scheduled to clash with another league game. Makes no sense.

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Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

But then theirs the downsides, for me the one that I can't get past is the sectarianism. I'm not going to come on here and blast Dundalk as a club or their fan base, but their was a sizable amount made the journey to Belfast with the sole purpose to stir up a sectarian pot. Linfield supporters where not completely innocent either may I add, but I do believe that if the chants from the Dundalk end where focused on football chants, their wouldn't have been a reaction, not that, that's an excuse either.

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Sectarianism in all its forms is repulsive and should not be tolerated. While I was embarrassed and annoyed by some of the chanting on Friday night, I was also encouraged by the negative reactions of many of the Dundalk fans to the worst of these from within the away support. Ditto for Vinny Perths reactions during the match and his post match comments

I don't think it is particularly helpful or accurate to make the accusation that a "sizable amount made the journey to Belfast with the sole purpose to stir up a sectarian pot", nor is reasonable to give all Linfield supporters a relatively free pass - particularly those who came with the Parachute Regiment flag or the Israeli flag.

Most who made the journey to Belfast were primarily focused on supporting their team; for some a misguided aspect of this is to try to get a verbal reaction from opposition fans, rather than it being naked sectarianism. It does not make it excusable or okay in any way, but less attention should be given to a handful of headcases out for a reaction

As a club Linfield have done remarkable work in trying to tackle sectarianism among it's own supporters and despite plenty of high profile incidents and several fines along the way, have made a lot of progress. However the problem clearly still exists

Tonight may be a bigger test for the maturity of both sets of supporters

Sectarianism is still rife in this country.

Many people cry foul the minute James McClean is called out for not wearing a poppy, but many of the same people have no issue calling Alan Mannus an 'orange ba$tard' because he didn't turn around during the anthem in Lansdowne road.

You only had to look at the average comment section on social media of the Linfield v Dundalk game the other night to see the issue exists in massive quantity here.

It was fantastic to hear of Dundalk fans and coaches reaction to chanting in the stand, but there's large numbers defending it online too. Likewise Linfield and their flags, a clear swipe at Dundalk fans. Sectarianism only works one way for some, and it's disgusting and doesn't belong on any street in this country.

Any streams kicking around for tonight ?

Easy for aDundalk so far.

Dundalk fans "You're only here for your passports".;)

Sectarianism is not anywhere near as bad as even 20 years ago listening to shed is embarrassing the fact that this game is being played in a pretty much run of the mill manner is testament to that.

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Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Sectarianism is still rife in this country.

Many people cry foul the minute James McClean is called out for not wearing a poppy, but many of the same people have no issue calling Alan Mannus an 'orange ba$tard' because he didn't turn around during the anthem in Lansdowne road.

You only had to look at the average comment section on social media of the Linfield v Dundalk game the other night to see the issue exists in massive quantity here.

It was fantastic to hear of Dundalk fans and coaches reaction to chanting in the stand, but there's large numbers defending it online too. Likewise Linfield and their flags, a clear swipe at Dundalk fans. Sectarianism only works one way for some, and it's disgusting and doesn't belong on any street in this country.

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The two issues are completely different.

Mannus realised he made a mistake and said sorry, should be the end of it.

Looked like John Gill was apologising at HT there likely for the chants from the shed. Embaressing stuff!!! As Steve Bruce says above huge effort has gone in to combating sectarian chanting in the IL but we are decades behind. Many will not even realise the significance of their chanting which is sad in itself, almost like they think it the done thing. These are people that used to chant about the 'Mushahalee' as thats what they thought they heard in the past...

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Originally Posted by Ezeikial

Sectarianism in all its forms is repulsive and should not be tolerated. While I was embarrassed and annoyed by some of the chanting on Friday night, I was also encouraged by the negative reactions of many of the Dundalk fans to the worst of these from within the away support. Ditto for Vinny Perths reactions during the match and his post match comments

I don't think it is particularly helpful or accurate to make the accusation that a "sizable amount made the journey to Belfast with the sole purpose to stir up a sectarian pot", nor is reasonable to give all Linfield supporters a relatively free pass - particularly those who came with the Parachute Regiment flag or the Israeli flag.

Most who made the journey to Belfast were primarily focused on supporting their team; for some a misguided aspect of this is to try to get a verbal reaction from opposition fans, rather than it being naked sectarianism. It does not make it excusable or okay in any way, but less attention should be given to a handful of headcases out for a reaction

As a club Linfield have done remarkable work in trying to tackle sectarianism among it's own supporters and despite plenty of high profile incidents and several fines along the way, have made a lot of progress. However the problem clearly still exists

Tonight may be a bigger test for the maturity of both sets of supporters

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I purposely said sizable and not majority and from the South stand it wasn't evident that anyone shouted them down but fair play to those that did (wasn't evident because of the distance, not that I don't believe you). I also noticed your manager waving his arms to cut the crap.

The para flag is antagonistic to some, I agree. No need for it to be their.

I seen both Israeli and palistinion along with a D Coy IRA flag.

All these things regardless of who have them are not needed at football games and once more not welcome at Windsor Park.

Linfield is such a mix of all backgrounds, the days of linfield being a protestant club for protestant people is long gone. Obviously we can force other backgrounds to support us but the makeup of the club is very different to 30 years ago.

Well done dundalk for winning tonight

Audible IRA chants from Dundalk fans really isn't a good look...

It's a free for all this evening, a sanction free for all?

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Originally Posted by joey B

Audible IRA chants from Dundalk fans really isn't a good look...

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Embarrassment.

Its a shame a stand wasn't taken by the Dundalk players/management.

I would expect that Vinny Perth will be very critical of any chanting in his post match interviews. It is a pity that we are not just talking about the football!!

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Originally Posted by joey B

Audible IRA chants from Dundalk fans really isn't a good look...

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It sadly comes as no surprise that morons unfortunately follow football.

Depressing to hear those chants.