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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!!
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!
Bookmarks