The Irish League

Omackeral

Have we any Boardsies here that are avid supporters of, or knowledgeable about, the Irish League (the IFA Premiership)?

If so, who do you support?

Why is the rivalry between Linfield and Glentoran so fierce? Is it because they are both so successful? Is it strictly a geographic thing? Any darker elements?

Outside of Linfield and Glentoran, which other rivalries exist?

Is the Irish League well supported in Northern Ireland?

Are there many/any Irish League players in the international set-up for the North, or for any other countries even?

3hn2givr7mx1sc

Cliftonville v Linfield is fierce enough too, isn't it?

Lucan Bohs

Afaik crusaders v cliftionville is a tasty rivalry.

From watching the highlights each week the crowds are marginally less then here. Linfield get about 2000 on average from what I've seen

losthorizon

There used to be a team called Belfast Celtic who got massive crowds but due to the obvious reasons had to pull out of football in in the North.

Derry City V Linfield apparently used to be really big games as well.


Lets hope Crusaders never win the CL as some of the Arab teams mightn't be too keen on them in the World Club Cup Finals! (Yes, I know I have more chances of winning the Euromillions than that happening)

Pinturicchio

losthorizon wrote: »

There used to be a team called Belfast Celtic who got massive crowds but due to the obvious reasons had to pull out of football in in the North.

Derry City V Linfield apparently used to be really big games as well.


Lets hope Crusaders never win the CL as some of the Arab teams mightn't be too keen on them in the World Club Cup Finals! (Yes, I know I have more chances of winning the Euromillions than that happening)

Belfast Celtic are still around. We (GUFC) beat them in a friendly last year.

dreamers75

Honestly do not know how Cliftonville beat us last season, seriously ever at a game where you have 97% of the ball and they have 3 shots and score

The home leg was 2-0 to us with 100% of the ball.

I know its preseason for us and not for them, but they had it that way for the 1st few years so no excuse. We should be beating teams from the North.

Paul4As

Omackeral wrote: »

Have we any Boardsies here that are avid supporters of, or knowledgeable about, the Irish League (the IFA Premiership)?

If so, who do you support?

Why is the rivalry between Linfield and Glentoran so fierce? Is it because they are both so successful? Is it strictly a geographic thing? Any darker elements?

Outside of Linfield and Glentoran, which other rivalries exist?

Is the Irish League well supported in Northern Ireland?

Are there many/any Irish League players in the international set-up for the North, or for any other countries even?

The rivalry between Linfield and Glentoran is so fierce because they are the "Big Two" so to speak. The largest supported teams in Belfast and Northern Ireland.

Geographically...a lot of Glentoran supporters are from East Belfast...Linfield's are from South Belfast...and West and North Belfast...the Shankill Road is partially in the West and North.

Outside of the Blues and the Glens...other rivalries...you have Cliftonville v Crusaders....and Glenavon v Portadown.

I have a soft spot for Crusaders now that I live near to their ground...used to follow Linfield when I was a kid.

I went to a Crusaders game before Christmas there against Dungannon Swifts...about 400 at the game I'd say.

As for Irish League players playing for Northern Ireland...a few Crusaders players have played recently in friendlies...in particular in the Carling Cup of Nations...Linfield players also have featured.

stovelid

Bit of a soft spot for Cliftonville. Lived in Belfast for a while and have very close friends from that part of Belfast. Try and go to see them whenever I visit the city.

Also have time for Distillery since we played them last year in the Setanta because everyone there - from supporters to everyone working there - were so sound when we went up.

dreamers75

stovelid wrote: »

Bit of a soft spot for Cliftonville. Lived in Belfast for a while and have very close friends from that part of Belfast. Try and go to see them whenever I visit the city.

Also have time for Distillery since we played them last year in the Setanta because everyone there - from supporters to everyone working there - were so sound when we went up.

ha rovers fan in cliftonville love in.

they ****ing hate us

Omackeral

dreamers75 wrote: »

ha rovers fan in cliftonville love in.

they ****ing hate us

Oh I've heard about some of this 'Brothers-in-Arms' type of talk before concerning SRFC and Cliftonville. What's the basis, if any?

ArmaniJeanss

losthorizon wrote: »

Lets hope Crusaders never win the CL as some of the Arab teams mightn't be too keen on them in the World Club Cup Finals! (Yes, I know I have more chances of winning the Euromillions than that happening)

Crusaders may have to change their name eventually if they become unexpectedly successful or if theres an influx of Muslims/Jews into their locality.

County cricket team Middlesex Crusaders became Middlesex Panthers a few years ago.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/4434777/Middlesex-Crusaders-cricket-team-changes-name-after-complaints-from-Muslims-and-Jews.html