Irish League clubs left frustrated by another delay to fixtures

By Graham Luney – 07 October 2008

Irish League fans are scratching their heads in bemusement today after learning that tonight’s rearranged league fixtures have to be rearranged yet again.

The Coleraine v Cliftonville and Crusaders v Dungannon Swifts matches have been postponed because of Under-19 European Championship qualifiers tomorrow.

Northern Ireland face Serbia at Seaview while England and Albania meet at the Coleraine Showgrounds (both 2pm).

But the Irish FA had known for some time that Northern Ireland was hosting the Under-19 European Championship at those venues this week and clubs were only informed of the cancellations yesterday.

However, Clandeboye Park is not needed for an international fixture and Bangor’s JJB Sports Premiership battle with Newry City goes ahead this evening (7.45).

Both sides tasted that winning feeling at the weekend and Bangor are already silencing critics by netting three victories on the bounce.

Ballymena United, Dungannon Swifts and Lisburn Distillery have now been put to the sword, joining Glenavon and Institute on the list of teams sunk by the Seasiders.

Former Glentoran favourite Darren Lockhart, who headed the winner against the Whites on Saturday, is now hoping to embarrass his old team-mates Chris Morgan and Cullen Feeney.

“Newry have superb players including Chris (Morgan) and Cullen (Feeney) who I know well from the Glens and Richard Clarke, on his day, is one of the best players in the league,” said Locky. “They are a very strong unit but we have been performing well as a team and winning breeds confidence as my old manager, Roy Coyle, told us.

“People will look at Bangor think ‘three easy points’ but we are not living up to those expectations. This squad has been thrown together with a lot of new players but our manager Marty Quinn will not accept being beaten. We won’t be the league’s whipping boys.

“We went through a rocky period but Marty told us to tighten up and we are on a good run. It’s always nice to score a winning goal but I have been playing a deeper role and I’ll do the job asked of me by the manager.”