Shermanez

Tue 08.03.05
Glentoran Vs Crusaders – Windsor Park, Belfast
County Antrim Shield Final.

Glentoran 3-5-2: Elliott Morris – Jodie Hill, Stephen Gourley, Chris Walker – Paul Leeman, Tim McCann, Kevin Keegan, Conor Walsh – Jason Hill, John McAuley, Rick Adair.

Weather: Dry, 9°C

“Glentoran have done it. A goal three minutes into Golden Goal extra-time from young striker John McAuley was enough to give Stan Ginozola his second trophy of the season, and including last season’s title, his third during his successful reign. Glentoran took on First Division Crusaders at Windsor Park, home of their arch cross town rivals Linfield and over 18,000 supporters from both sides packed into the national stadium to see a game packed with action from start to finish.

Stan Ginozola named a side made up of both reserve and first team players, mainly due to a hectic league schedule. On Saturday they take on Dungannon Swifts in the Quarter Finals of the Irish Cup. Tonight, the fringe players came into their own and willed on from midfield by youngster Conor Walsh, a 2-1 win was enough to give Glentoran the County Antrim Shield.

Despite the differing league positions, Davy Jeffrey’s Crusaders started the brighter and took the lead in the ninth minute. Glentoran had yet to get into the game when Gavin Arthur crossed for skipper Colin Magill volley his side into the lead. It was a well worked goal and summed up the crisp, attacking style of football Jeffrey has attempted to get his side to play as they look to bounce back into the Premier Division at the first attempt following relegation last spring.

Glentoran were back in the game two minutes before half-time, though it was an equaliser they didn’t deserve. Goalkeeper Elliott Morris was under near constant pressure and had to perform heroics to keep the score down to just the one goal. Goalscorer Tim McCann was glad he did. The winger broke down the left flank, cut in onto his right foot and drove a low strike past Michael Knox into the bottom corner.

Glentoran came out the stronger of the two sides in the second period and Conor Walsh almost gave them the lead only to see his header come back off the bar with Knox well beaten. Crusaders were beginning to lag but Knox was in no mood to give up the fight and perhaps inspired by Morris, made several fine saves of his own.

However it wasn’t to be for Crusaders and any hopes of a famous victory were put to bed three minutes into Golden Goal extra-time. Substitute Scott Young, on to replace the injured Paul Leeman pressed through the centre before forcing a save from Knox. The Crusaders’ goalkeeper couldn’t hold it and the rebound allowed McAuley to tuck the ball home and seal Glentoran’s 24th success in the competition, following on from their first ever success back in 1901.

Now Glentoran’s thoughts change to the Irish Cup before the run-in to the Smirnoff Irish Premier Division comes to a close in little over a month’s time. Stan Ginozola will be delighted with the County Antrim Shield, but following on from February’s League Cup win, a record breaking quadruple will be all the more sweeter.

Glentoran 2 – Crusaders 1
Goals: Magill 0-1, McCann 1-1, McAuley 2-1.
Attendance: 18,331
MoM: Tim McCann (Glentoran) – The driving force in midfield.

Shermanez

Back at the club we were delighted with the cup win, all the more so as we received £10,000 from the Irish FA as a reward. The supporters were equally pleased and the Belfast Telegraph ran a report stating just how much the capture of the famous old trophy meant to the supporters. I was determined to bring them more success, starting with Saturday’s cup clash with Dungannon.

Sat 05.03.05
Dungannon Swifts Vs Glentoran – Stangmore Park, Dungannon
Irish Cup Quarter Finals.

Glentoran 3-5-2: Elliott Morris – Jodie Hill, Stephen Gourley, Chris Walker – Paul Leeman, Scott Young, Gavin Melaugh, Darren Lockhart – Andy Smith, Darren Armour, Rick Adair.

Weather: Wet, 13°C

We returned to what I considered to be our strongest possible side for the cup clash with Dungannon. Scott Young and Gavin Melaugh came back into midfield in place of Conor Walsh and Kevin Keegan with Andy Smith rejoining the attack instead of the youthful yet inexperienced John McAuley. Dungannon were also at full-strength with Miguel Chines lining up on the left-flank just as he had so often before for both Dungannon and Linfield. Hopefully he wouldn’t cause the same problems today as he had in the past.

League rivals Coleraine and Linfield were also in cup action, so they weren’t gaining any sort of advantage by playing whilst we weren’t or even receiving a welcomed week off. The travelling Glentoran fans made for a fine atmosphere, all the more impressive when Shane Coney headed his side into an early lead.

We were soon back in it with Darren Armour converting a cross from Gavin Melaugh for his 23rd of the season, though Coney was on hand to restore the Swifts’ lead in the 28th minute. It wasn’t a lead they held long though as Andy Smith tied the game up and Rick Adair added a third to put us into the lead 3-2. Martin Lavery made sure things went into the break all-square though, with the Dungannon winger mugging Gourley before shooting past Morris from fifteen yards.

We came out strong after the interval, though the ineffective Andy Smith was soon replaced by John McAuley. Both sides continued to exchange chances with both goalkeepers matching each other save for save. Morris’ were perhaps the more impressive though Johnny Kelly certainly had more to contend with. The 3-3 scoreline looked as tough it’d go on to be the scoreline at the final whistle though John McAuley had other ideas, pouncing on a loose ball to slam us into a 4-3 lead with four minutes left on the clock.

Despite injury to Darren Lockhart, we hung on and advanced to the Semi Finals. Though the opposition was still undecided, I immediately made sure the players were concentrating on Saturday’s huge clash with Ards at The Oval.

Dungannon Swifts 3 – Glentoran 4
Goals: Coney 1-0, Armour 1-1, Coney 2-1, Smith 2-2, Adair 2-3, Lavery 3-3, McAuley 3-4.
Attendance: 2,705
MoM: Rick Adair (Glentoran) – The driving force in attack.

Shermanez

In a night of Champions’ League action, Arsenal advanced past PSV to the Quarter Finals thanks to the away goal whilst Manchester United saw off Belgium side Genk comfortably. The big surprise had been giants Real Madrid bowing out to Italian side Inter Milan. Not even a 3-2 Bernabeu win was another to surpass the first leg deficit and the Spanish league leaders were out.

A little closer to home, Lurgan Celtic needed extra-time to beat Ballymena United and advance to the Semi Finals of the Irish Cup where they would play Coleraine. Glentoran would play Larne. Former Distillery boss Paul Kirk returned to football, getting the managers job at First Division Carrick Rangers and also during the week, a hat-trick from Andrew Donaghy gave the U18s a 3-0 win over their Cliftonville counterparts.

Sat 19.03.05
Glentoran Vs Ards – The Oval, Belfast
Northern Irish Premier Division #26.

Glentoran 3-5-2: Elliott Morris – Jodie Hill, Stephen Gourley, Chris Walker – Paul Leeman, Scott Young, Gavin Melaugh, Scott Gordon – Andy Smith, Darren Armour, Rick Adair.

Weather: Dry, 9°C

Back to crucial league campaign we took on Ards at The Oval with Scott Gordon replacing both Darren Lockhart and Tim McCann (the regular left-sided midfield players) who were both out through injury. Ards are pressing hard for a top four finish but if we harboured any hopes of taking the title from Coleraine we had to win each of our five remaining league games, starting today.

Things started just about as poorly as they could have done with veteran Steve Penney coming in at the back post unmarked to head past Elliott Morris. It was nothing more than our slow start deserved. Despite numerous warnings we’d fallen asleep and allowed them to take the lead. Chances to equalise were hard to come by and we went into the interval a goal behind. The home support was growing anxious.

I decided to introduce John McAuley, hoping his recent run of good form would rub off on Darren Armour and Andy Smith who were both playing as a shadow of their early season form. It failed to materialise and though Darren Armour went close with a header, the only real action of note during a miserable second period was the sending off of defender Stephen Gourley, guilty of hauling down Ards striker Fitzgerald when a second goal seemed inevitable.

With Dungannon holding Coleraine to a 2-2 draw, we still had a slim chance of making top spot but with just twelve points available, an eight point gap was a hell of a lot to make up. I consoled the players by telling them it wasn’t yet over and that we still had a great chance, especially considering they still had to come to the Oval. Somehow, I didn’t even believe myself.

Glentoran 0 – Ards 1
Goals: Penny 0-1.
Attendance: 3,895
MoM: Jonny McAdam (Larne) – An inspired midfield display.

League Table – 26 Games: Coleraine (64pts); Glentoran (56pts); Linfield (49pts); Portadown (44pts); Ards, Omagh (42pts); Cliftonville (35pts), Larne, Dungannon (34pts); Ballymena Utd (32pts); Limavady Utd (31pts); Bangor (29pts); Glenavon (27pts); Institute (24pts); Newry (22pts); Distillery (15pts).

Shermanez

It was a week of International call-ups with Sean Ward, John McAuley and Jodie Hill named in the Northern Irish U21 squad, whilst Andy Smith and Gavin Melaugh were named in the senior squad to face Romania and Andorra.

Sat 26.03.05
Omagh Town Vs Glentoran – St. Julian’s Road, Omagh
Northern Irish Premier Division #27.

Glentoran 3-5-2: Elliott Morris – Jodie Hill, Sean Ward, Chris Walker – Paul Leeman, Scott Young, Gavin Melaugh, Scott Gordon – Andy Smith, Darren Armour, Rick Adair.

Weather: Dry, 17°C

It’s a pleasant spring afternoon as we travel to St. Julian’s Road to take on mid-table Omagh Town. We all know just how crucial three points are in a bid to keep the pressure on Coleraine and I instruct my assistant Jimmy Brown to keep a pocket radio with him at all times and inform me of any developments at the Showgrounds as they take on Ballymena United. With Gourley out through suspension, Sean Ward is back in the side for his 33rd start of the season.

The first half was pretty much equal, though Omagh went in at the break 1-0 to the good thanks to a goal from Michael Ward three minutes before the break. It’s a goal we could have done without conceding. Sean Ward and Chris Walker appeared to get their wires crossed with neither clearing the ball. Ward took full advantage and slammed the ball into the top corner of Elliott Morris’ net and the home side were ahead.

Back in the changing rooms I checked on Coleraine’s progress with Jimmy, they were ahead 1-0. If it stayed like this, the title would be there this evening. Anything less than all three points was useless to our cause. In an attacking move I threw on John McAuley in place of Darren Armour in attempt to provide more height for both Adair and Smith. Omagh had been winning everything in the air and Adair and Smith had suffered as a result. I sent them back out onto the field with the message that we simply had to win still ringing in their ears.

It has the immediate affect that I was hoping for. Chris Walker’s long clearance was gathered well by McAuley and he sent it spinning out wind to Gavin Melaugh. The right winger galloped on and swung in a deep cross. McAuley had continued his won and powered a header against the Omagh crossbar. It dropped like a stone, landing at least a foot behind the goal line. Referee Les Irvine checked with his assistant and immediately pointed to the centre circle, 1-1 and game on!

Coleraine were now 2-0 to the good so there was little hope of Ballymena doing it for us. We had to win. The hour mark passed and still we couldn’t find a winner and then disaster struck. Jodie Hill lashed out at Omagh striker Austin Friel and Irvine had to choice but to send our sweeper off the field. I was furious and immediately told him it’d cost him a week’s wages.

With the man advantage, Omagh raced to 4-1 win thanks to goals from Ward (completing his hat trick) and Andy Crawford. I struggled hide my disappointment into the changing rooms. Jodie Hill’s petulance was the cause of this defeat but far too often we’d thrown away leads or missed chances to win games. I’d have to find the cause of the problem over the summer. Now we had to concentrate on the Irish Cup in the hope of clawing our third trophy of the season.

Omagh Town 4 – Glentoran 1
Goals: Ward 1-0, McAuley 1-1, Ward 2-1, Crawford 3-1, Ward 4-1.
Attendance: 2,635
MoM: Michael Ward (Omagh) – A superb hat-trick to win the game.

League Table – 27 Games: Coleraine (67pts); Glentoran (56pts); Linfield (52pts); Portadown (47pts); Omagh (45pts); Ards (42pts); Cliftonville (38pts), Larne, Limavady Utd, Dungannon (34pts); Ballymena Utd (32pts); Glenavon (30pts); Bangor (29pts); Institute (24pts); Newry (22pts); Distillery (18pts).

Shermanez

It’s a double celebration for Omagh Town boss Roy McCreadie as just two days after his side’s win at St. Julian’s Road, he’s named ‘Manager of the Month’ for March having taken three wins from three league games, ending our title hopes in the process. I send him a magnum of Champagne in congratulations. The *******.

With no games due to the Northern Ireland international, I decide to go along to Windsor Park to see the World Cup Qualifier against Romania. It’s the fourth game of the campaign and astonishingly the home side pull off a remarkable 2-0 victory with our very own Andy Smith scoring the second goal six minutes from time. It’s seen as the start of the Northern Ireland international football fight back and manager Colin Quinn is heralded as a national hero in the Sunday papers.

They play again three days later with Colin Nixon called into the squad during the three day break as a replacement for injured Lincoln City defender Phil Morgan. Nixon doesn’t make the bench but another impressive display sees another 2-0 victory. Former Glentoran youngster Andy Kirk, now of Tottenham Hotspur, gets the scoring underway and Norwich City’s Phil Mulryne scores the second to lift Northern Ireland level on points with leaders Italy atop of Group 5.

The first Irish Cup Semi Final game takes place on Friday evening with Coleraine beating Lurgan Celtic comfortably at Windsor Park. We’ll look to meet our foes in the Final by beating Larne tomorrow.

Shermanez

Sat 09.04.05
Glentoran Vs Larne – The Oval, Belfast
Irish Cup Semi Final.

Glentoran 3-5-2: Elliott Morris – Gary Smyth, Sean Ward, Chris Walker – Paul Leeman, Scott Young, Gavin Melaugh, Darren Lockhart – Andy Smith, Darren Armour, Rick Adair.

Weather: Dry, 11°C

Winning the Irish Cup would provide the perfect tonic after missing out on the league title; it would also complete the clean sweep of domestic trophies having already taken the County Antrim Shield and the League Cup. I make two changes for the game, bringing in both Gary Smyth and Darren Lockhart in place of Jodie Hill and Scott Gordon.

We score shortly after half an hour’s play, with Darren Lockhart completing a flowing move that involved seven Glentoran players. Windsor Park comes alive with a sea of Green & Red bouncing around behind the goal and all down one side. It’s the perfect start.

Andy Smith started the second period well and almost added a second goal with a cross-cum-shot that eluded everybody and almost caught out Paul Wilson. Larne have chances of their own, Robbie Quinn headed over and Ian Smyth had a goal ruled out for offside. Thankfully, Smith seals what should be a comfortable passage through to the Final with a fine headed goal following a Darren Lockhart cross.

Larne pull a goal back in the 76th minute and suddenly everything becomes a little too tense for my liking. Rick Adair eases the worries with a goal ten minutes from the end and we’re through to face Coleraine at the end of the season.

Glentoran 3 – Larne 1
Goals: Lockhart 1-0, Smith 2-0, Hamilton 2-1, Adair 3-1.
Attendance: 8,002
MoM: Andy Smith (Glentoran) – A return to form for our leading scorer.

Shermanez

Wed 13.04.05
Glentoran Vs Coleraine – The Oval, Belfast
Northern Irish Premier Division #28.

Glentoran 3-5-2: Elliott Morris – Gary Smyth, Sean Ward, Chris Walker – Paul Leeman, Scott Young, Gavin Melaugh, Darren Lockhart – Andy Smith, Darren Armour, Rick Adair.

Weather: Dry, 8°C

Four days later we play what should have been the biggest league game of the season, with Coleraine coming to The Oval. Had we not lost to both Ards and Omagh Town in the two previous games, this was the game I had pencilled in as the one that would have given us the advantage going into the final two league games of the season. However, with us losing twice and Coleraine winning twice, Marty Quinn’s men had the title and boy did they supporters let us know it.

The players were determined to show who was the better side in what was a dress rehearsal of the Irish Cup Final set to be played on the 7th of May. The Coleraine side look to be suffering from a celebration hangover and we quickly establish an unassailable lead. Darren Armour opens the scoring and despite Lee Mudd equalising, goals from Rick Adair and a hat-trick from Andy Smith see us go in at the interval 5-1 up.

I give all the subs a run out in the second half, with Ronan Skelton getting a rare spell in goals with Elliott Morris given a short rest. Marty Quinn obviously gave his side a roasting during the break as they improve five-fold but we still managed to score a sixth through John McAuley. Sean Ward adds a seventh from the spot with two minutes to go and it’s us who take the three points to more or less cement second place ahead of Linfield.

Glentoran 7 – Coleraine 1
Goals: Armour 1-0, Mudd 1-1, Adair 2-1, Smith 3-1, Smith 4-1, Smith 5-1, McAuley 6-1, Ward pen 7-1.
Attendance: 3,729
MoM: Andy Smith (Glentoran) – Three more goals to his tally.

League Table – 28 Games: Coleraine (67pts); Glentoran (59pts); Linfield (53pts); Portadown (48pts); Omagh (46pts); Ards (45pts); Cliftonville (39pts), Dungannon (35pts); Larne, Limavady Utd (34pts); Ballymena Utd (33pts); Bangor (32pts); Glenavon (31pts); Newry (25pts); Institute (24pts); Distillery (19pts).

Shermanez

On the penultimate weekend of the First and Second division seasons Crusaders make an instant return to the Premier Division, winning the championship with a 3-0 win at home to QUB. In Division Two, East Belfast are relegated into regional football.

Mon 18.04.05
Linfield Vs Glentoran - Windsor Park. Belfast.
Northern Irish Premier Division #29.

Glentoran 3-5-2: Elliott Morris – Gary Smyth, Sean Ward, Chris Walker – Paul Leeman, Scott Young, Gavin Melaugh, Tim McCann – Andy Smith, Darren Armour, Willie Hull.

Weather: Dry, 10°C

Linfield Vs Glentoran is a mammoth clash whatever stage of the season, and today’s game at Windsor Park is no exception. I make two changes, both due to suspension with both Darren Lockhart and Rick Adair sitting the game out. In comes Tim McCann and reserve team striker Willie Hull, given his first taste of senior action for the season.

The police are out in force for the game, patrolling most of Belfast city centre as well as the streets surrounding the ground. There are several reports of trouble but thankfully nothing inside the ground. The game itself is a cracker with Andy Smith giving us the lead inside seven minutes. Darren McKay equalises but Smith continues his recent run of form to restore our lead three minutes before half-time.

Willie Hull isn’t enjoying first team life so is quickly replaced by John McAuley, who duly scores our third of the afternoon. It’s nothing more than we deserve. Gary Bonner pulls a goal back for Linfield with six minutes left on the clock but Andy Smith gets his second hat-trick in two games to seal the win with an impressive 4-2 scoreline. This one belongs to Glentoran.

Linfield 2 – Glentoran 4
Goals: Smith 0-1, McKay 1-1, Smith 1-2, McAuley 1-3, Bonner 2-3, Smith 2-4.
Attendance: 4,763
MoM: Andy Smith (Glentoran) – Another hat-trick, he makes it look easy.

League Table – 29 Games: Coleraine (70pts); Glentoran (62pts); Linfield (53pts); Omagh, Portadown (49pts); Ards (48pts); Cliftonville (42pts), Limavady (37pts); Dungannon (35pts); Larne, Ballymena Utd (34pts); Bangor (32pts); Glenavon (31pts); Institute (27pts); Newry (25pts); Distillery (19pts).

Shermanez

Sat 23.04.05
Glentoran Vs Portadown – The Oval, Belfast
Northern Irish Premier Division #30.

Glentoran 3-5-2: Elliott Morris – Jodie Hill, Sean Ward, Chris Walker – Paul Leeman, Scott Young, Gavin Melaugh, Darren Lockhart – Andy Smith, Darren Armour, Rick Adair.

Weather: Dry, 11°C

“Glentoran brought the curtain down on their league campaign this afternoon with a breath taking 8-0 victory over rival Portadown at The Oval however I couldn’t help feeling that its all a few weeks too late. Disappointing results against Omagh Town and Ards went someway towards Glentoran not putting up a tougher defence of their title, though they’ll have to be pleased going into the Irish Cup Final with Coleraine on the back of thumping victories against the title winners, Linfield and today against Portadown.

Stan Ginozola brought Jodie Hill, Darren Lockhart and Rick Adair back into the side ahead of next week’s Cup Final, and it was a decision that proved its worth early with Rick Adair opening the scoring. Two minutes later, Scott Young added a scoring and the tone of the afternoon was set.

Both Young and Adair scored again before the half-time whistle, sending Glentoran in four goals to the good but they weren’t finished yet, with substitute John McAuley heading his tenth goal of a successive campaign for the youngster. Darren Armour scored a cracker to make it 6-0 before Andy Smith grabbed the seventh and Armour rounded off the record breaking eighth with six minutes left on the clock. The players did a short lap of honour and accepted the applause of the Glentoran faithful but the big one comes on the 7th of May with Ginozola’s men meeting Coleraine in the Final of the Irish Cup.

Despite the scoreline, the game may well be remembered for darker reasons which came fifteen minutes from the end when Chris Walker was adjudged to have punched Vinny Arkins and was sent from the field. Unfortunately for Walker, he’ll miss before the Irish Cup Final and the opening game of next season. Walker was reacting to a foul on Smith by Arkins and Glentoran’s leading scorer was lead off the field for treatment. Physio Jim Weatherup’s analysis was damning and Smith will also miss the Cup Final having dislocated his shoulder. It’s unfortunate for Smith, who of course missed last season’s Cup Final with Ballinamallard with a broken jaw.

Glentoran 8 – Portadown 0
Goals: Adair 1-0, Young 2-0, Young 3-0, Adair 4-0, McAuley 5-0, Armour 6-0, Smith 7-0, Armour 8-0.
Attendance: 4,655
MoM: Andy Smith (Glentoran) – Had another fantastic afternoon which was unfortunately ended sooner than he hoped. How we’ll cope in the Final without our 31 goal striker remains to be seen.

Shermanez

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Holders - Glentoran| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | C | Coleraine | | 30 | 23 | 4 | 3 | 63 | 36 | +27 | 73 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Glentoran | | 30 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 98 | 36 | +62 | 65 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Linfield | | 30 | 17 | 5 | 8 | 48 | 32 | +16 | 56 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Omagh | | 30 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 51 | 36 | +15 | 49 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Ards | | 30 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 53 | 43 | +10 | 49 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Portadown | | 30 | 14 | 7 | 9 | 56 | 51 | +5 | 49 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Cliftonville | | 30 | 10 | 13 | 7 | 35 | 28 | +7 | 43 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Dungannon | | 30 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 46 | 51 | -5 | 38 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Limavady Utd | | 30 | 11 | 4 | 15 | 51 | 50 | +1 | 37 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Ballymena Utd | | 30 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 43 | 47 | -4 | 37 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Bangor | | 30 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 49 | 54 | -5 | 35 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Larne | | 30 | 10 | 4 | 16 | 49 | 55 | -6 | 34 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Glenavon | | 30 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 41 | 64 | -23 | 31 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Institute | | 30 | 8 | 3 | 19 | 43 | 61 | -18 | 27 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | Pl | Newry | | 30 | 7 | 4 | 19 | 37 | 74 | -37 | 25 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | R | Distillery | | 30 | 6 | 4 | 20 | 27 | 72 | -45 | 22 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>