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August 19, 2008
19th Aug 08. CAS Result - Glentoran 6 Newington YC 1
Tonight's game is ON - In the end a pitch inspection for tonights County Antrim Shield tie was not required as all the surface water has now been removed from the playing surface. The game is definitely going ahead.
18th Aug 08. Newington game in doubt - The Glens County Antrim Shield tie with Newington YC tomorrow night is in serious doubt. As of this afternoon we still have some 6 inches of water lying on sections of the Oval pitch, and despite 3 pumps working flat out, the forecast of more rain tonight and tomorrow makes the prospect of the match being given the go ahead extremely doubtful. If the game was to be tonight it would have been called off already. It is expected a pitch inspection will take place tomorrow afternoon regardless.
15th Aug 08. Glenavon game - Nearly scared to say it - ok, here goes ... "The big kick off tomorrow!" There, downpour's a cert now around half 2 and the game called off! Match Betting: Glentoran 1/3, Glenavon 8/1, and a draw 7/2. All odds by Eastwoods
14th Aug 08. Metalurgs duffed at home ... 2-0 by Romanian outfit FC Vaslui in the Uefa Cup. I hardly cried at all.
New Ballymac Lounge open - The BallymacGSC from this coming Saturday will be opening our newly refurbished upstairs lounge before every Glentoran home game. With new widescreen TV's on order, members and visitors alike can come watch a 'live' match, play a game of pool, and enjoy a relaxing pint and a bit of craic in comfort before the 10 minute trek downhill to the Oval for the 3 o'clock kick off. Doors open on Saturday at 1.00pm, and everyone is welcome :-)
13th Aug 08. Just confirmed ... anyone who has applied for tickets for the Scotland v Northern Ireland friendly at Hampden Park next Wednesday can relax. The Scottish FA have granted all Northern Ireland fans applications ... all 6,500 of them!!!
Had a wee whimper today ... as to who may have been responsible for the 'U' turn by the County Antrim FA on the Newington game. No names, but suffice to say I'll not be shedding any 'Teers' if we tank Glenavon this weekend!
12th Aug 08. Quarry GSC N Ireland ballot - Quarry Glentoran Supporters Club have asked me to plug a ballot they are selling on Saturday to help raise much needed club funds. A match ticket for the Northern Ireland v Czech Republic World Cup Qualifier on Wednesday 10th September is up for grabs, for which ballots will be on sale outside the Oval before the game and at half-time inside the social club.
11th Aug 08, 11pm. **UPDATE** County Antrim Shield 'U' Turn - Official news just reaching me is that the County Antrim FA, after sanctioning the Newington YC game switch earlier today, have now reneged on the agreement and withdrawn their consent!! The game now reverts back to next Tuesday night, 19th August. Just one friggin joke after another isn't it !!
Latvia pics now online ... Click on the pic above right
11am. Newington this Thursday night - The Glens County Antrim Shield tie with Newington YC has been brought forward and will now be played at the Oval this Thursday night 14th August, 7.30pm. Season tickets are NOT valid.
Glens U18's lift cup - Congratulations to a very young Glentoran U18 eleven who won the first trophy of the season yesterday in the North Belfast News U18 Cup. Competing against 15 other teams, including most of the Irish Premier League sides, the wee Glens remained undefeated in the group stages and semi finals on Saturday (9th August) to earn a final place against Cliftonville in Sundays final at Seaview. Against the more experienced Cliftonville side the team battled well, but despite being under some pressure for the opening 25mins actually took the lead when McKenzie nipped in at the back post to finish off a miss-hit shot. This settled the Glens and they started to come in to the game more. Just before half time they increased their lead when the ball bounced up just inside the box and Selfridge volleyed it high into the roof of the net. Half time 2 - 0. Despite Cliftonville pulling a goal back with 15 mins to go the young Glens held on to win the Cup 2 - 1.
The Glens also had Player of the Tournament in left back Robbie Lee and Top Goalscorer in forward Matthew Selfridge.
10th Aug 08. Referee's strike - With the Referee's strike now over we await a decision on just when yesterday's matches will now take place. Initial rumour was that the games would be played this coming Tuesday night, but with still nothing official from the IFA that now looks very unlikely given the timescale. Saturday 28th March 2009 is now looking favourite.
7th Aug 08, 10.30pm. All JJB Premiership games off! - As of 10 o'clock tonight Glentoran's opening IFA Premiership game with Ballymena Utd this Saturday is OFF - as are all the rest!! The IFA and Referees Association failed to come to agreement at tonights Windsor Avenue pay dispute talks, and as a result the men in black have called on their members for a nationwide strike this coming weekend! Unless someone can pull a rabbit out of the hat sometime tomorrow it's Beijing on the box!
County Antrim Shield draw - Glens will face Newington YC in the first round of this seasons County Antrim Shield.
Also - Cliftonville switch now confirmed.
5th Aug 08. Hold that page ... have it on good authority that the Glens v Cliftonville game on 30th August has NOT yet been given the go ahead officially from the Glens to be switched. Not yet anyway!
4th Aug 08. Ballymena game - Early Betting: Glentoran 1/2, Ballymena 5/1, and a draw 11/4. All odds by Paddy Power
Cliftonville tie switch - The Glens first two IFA Premiership clashes with Cliftonville have been switched. The Saturday 30th August game will now be played at the Oval, while the November 17th clash will now take place at Solitude - to be broadcast live by Sky Sports. Upshot of all that means that the Glens now have 5 of their first 6 Premiership games at home!
29th Jul 08. Ghana Glens face biggest game of their young lives! - Full story at GCTni.com - HERE
28th Jul 08. Glentoran 0 Burnley 5 - To be perfectly honest I can't tell you a lot about this one folks as I left at half-time. By that stage the Glens were 1-0 down having replaced almost the entire first 11 within the first 35 minutes! Probably a wise move given the squad begin a horrendous 16-hour journey to Latvia (a 3 hour bus trip, 3 flights and 4 airports) at 5 o'clock tomorrow morning! Anyways, Glens seconds played Burnley tonight.
Halfers - v Burnley drawn by Grant Gardiner was won by Carrickfergus Glenman Gorden Priestly, who took home £230 when his ticket 0547 came up Trumps!
25th Jul 08. Larne 1 Glentoran 5 - Jason Hill pen, Fitzgerald, Fordyce, Boyce, & Hamilton all on the scoresheet, and on a night which threatened to boil over more than once and even saw Alan McDonald sent off with 15 minutes to go!
22nd Jul 08. Welsh Champions Llanelli ... have just been stuffed 4-0 by Ventspills in Latvia - 4-1 on agg.
Glentoran U16's 1 FAI 2 - The Glens Under 16 side got off to the worst possible start this evening in their first game in the Foyle Cup after going a goal down to the FAI Development Squad in just 10 seconds! The Republic's development side made it 2-0 with 20 minutes to go, and despite the wee Glens pulling one back from the penalty spot with just over 5 minutes remaining it was to prove too little too late. Probably the toughest of the 3 group games, the lads will most likely need to win their remaining 2 matches to stand a chance of qualifying.
** Larne game - Information reaching me today is that Saturday's friendly at Larne may have been brought forward to Friday night. ** Just confirmed - see above for change to Ballymac bus departure time.
21st Jul 08. Foyle Cup - The Glentoran U16 side begin their quest to land the 2008 Foyle Cup tomorrow night, beginning with an opening tie against the FAI Development Squad. The 6 groups of 4 will vie for a quarter-final place on Friday with the 6 group winners and 2 best runners up making up the final 8. The lads would certainly appreciate all the support they could get if any of you can possibly make it to a game, their 3 group matches outlined below. Further details at the Foyle Cup website
Tues 22nd July: v FAI Development Squad - 5.00pm Templemore Swilly
Weds 23rd July: v Arklow Town - 5.00pm Oakgrove 1
Thurs 24th July: v Maiden City Academy - 5.00pm St Columbs Pk
Irish Premier League 2008/09, early betting - Linfield 8/15, Glentoran 10/3, Cliftonville 9/2, 80/1 or better the rest. Win only. All odds supplied by Eastwoods (now Ladbrooks).
20th Jul 08. GLENTORAN EUROPEAN 'T' SHIRTS FOR 4 QUID EACH! ... HERE
Glentoran 1 Ipswich Town 3 - Despite an early Daryl Fordyce headed goal the Glens ran out 3-1 losers to the English Championship side, an 87th minute penalty putting an end to hopes of snatching a draw from a team who have tanked Cliftonville and Donegal Celtic 7-0 & 4-0 already on their Northern Ireland tour. We move now to a hastily arranged 'training' game with Ards Rangers on Tuesday night at Drome Park Newtownards (ko 7.00pm), one would have thought an ideal night to have played the Dundela match ... but sure what do I know :-(
Halfers - William Cameron (Kaiser to most people), won the Halfers draw v Ipswich Town. William's ticket 0295 was drawn by Leeper and Kaiser was delighted to start partying with the £330 he received!
17th Jul 08. Glentoran 1 Metalurgs 1 - A first half header from Michael Halliday after Metalurgs had taken an undeserved 1-0 lead leaves the tie in the balance when the Glens head off to Latvia in 2 weeks time. Really felt on leaving the Oval that we missed a great opportunity tonight ... but then again ... remember Allianssi ;-)
Halfers Draw v Metalurgs ... was claimed after the game by Andrew Busby, who between him and Dad Clarence, have won the draw between them at least 4 or 5 times! Andrew won his £400 while Dad is on holiday in Austria. - wonder will he keep Dad a share? Andrew won with the ticket 6946 drawn by Dean Fitzgerald. Money goes to money!
UEFA CUP - So here we go again! Funny, last season seems like it's not long ended, yet our last European sortee, against AIK Solna, seems a lifetime ago ... almost erased from the memory in fact ;-) Anyways, here we go again as I say, and Latvian opposition this time in the shape of SK Liepájas Metalurgs. Some say a much easier proposition than the slick Swedes of Stockholm in 2007, but a word of caution to all those expectant fans. This time last year we were drawn against an AIK side who were languishing mid-table in the Swedish league, hopes were high then of a decent result and possible progress to the next stage, I'm sure I don't need to remind you that we finished up on the end of a 5-0 thrashing at the Oval, and 4-0 over there - 9-0 on aggregate! Something else too, ironically AIK faced Liepájas Metalurgs in the very next round of last years competition, the Latvians beating the Swedes 3-2 at home and losing just 2-0 away, going down 4-3 overall - and that was just a year ago. We have to remember all these sides are full time and midway through their season, it's always going to be a tall order for Irish League sides just into pre-season ... but not impossible. July 04 and Finnish side Allianssi came calling at the Oval, sitting 3rd in their League and fresh from a 7-2 Finnish Cup win the previous weekend. A 2-2 draw at the Oval set the tie up nicely for Helsinki a fortnight later, when second half goals from wee Tommy McCallion and Colin Nixon sent the Glens into the second round for the first time in ... well, a very long time! (A wee reminder of what it was like HERE). So, difficult, but not impossible the order of the day, and with Welsh Champions Llanelli defeating the Latvian league leaders Ventspills 1-0 in a Champions League Qualifier the other night certainly encouraging. I know the team are quietly confident, and if a decent Glentoran support can get behind them from the very off tonight then who knows ... I was there in 2004 ;-)
Kick off tonight is 7.45pm, and tickets are still available at all the usual outlets (the Oval between 1.30 & 5.00pm)
Match Betting: Glentoran 6/4, Metalurgs 6/4, and a draw 11/5. All odds supplied by Paddy Power.
16th Jul 08. Special Programme - There will be a special programme on sale this Saturday for Paul Leeman's testimonial game v Ipswich Town. The 40-page issue will cost £2.50 with all profits going to Paul Leemans benefit.
15th Jul 08. U16's thank you - The Glens U16's would like to thank everyone who made a donation (including the Hearts fans) in last night's 'bucket collection' for the lads trip to the Foyle Cup next week. A grand total of £523.25 was collected, making over £800 in total when added to the proceeds of the GCT 07/08 playing kit sale! A tremendous effort all round, and money that will go a long way towards hopefully making next week's trip a huge success! Many thanks once again :-)
14th Jul 08. Glentoran 1 Hearts 1 (6-5 pens) - A goal down after about 3 minutes when a deflected shot spun over the head of Elliott Morris, substitute Ryan Berry hit a screamer from all of 25 yards to level with about 20 minutes to go. The Glens went on to win 6-5 on penalties. Alan McDonald must have used 18 or more players tonight, giving as many of the squad as possible a run out before Thursday nights showdown with Latvian side Metalurgs. Entertaining enough I suppose in the end.
Halfers Draw v Hearts ... was won by Alan Holland from the Fountain in Londonderry, and Alan, who hasn't missed a Glens game in 4 years, took £220 home to the Maiden City when B.J. McMenamin drew his ticket No. 7398. Well done to him!
Foyle Cup collection - The Glentoran U16's will be doing a bucket collection at tonight's Glentoran / Hearts friendly to help fund their trip to this year's Foyle Cup next week. The proceeds from tonight will go alongside money raised from the lads themselves and compliment that also raised by the GCT in the sale of last years Glentoran playing kit recently. The team were beaten by ROI in the final last year. Kick off tonight is 7.30pm, and 2008/09 season tickets are valid. If you've paid for a new season ticket and haven't received it yet just give your name at the turnstile to be admitted for free :-)
Metalurgs up to 4th - SK Metalurgs climbed 2 places to 4th in the Latvian league on the 11th night after a 2-0 home win over Daugava Daugavpils. The Glens UEFA Cup opponents are now unbeaten in the League in their last 9, their last defeat ironically coming away to Daugavpils on 3rd May this year... they lost 4-1!
10th Jul 08. Killymoon 2 Glentoran 8 - (Hamilton 2, Halliday 2, Fitzgerald, Boyce, Scullion & Taylor). Elliott Morris and Sean Ward both started the match, while Paul Leeman limped off injured on 20 minutes after twisting his ankle down a pothole! Substitute keeper and new signing James Taylor conceded both consolations for Killymoon.
9th Jul 08. New "Taylors" for Glens - Alan McDonald has moved to cover the injured Elliott Morris ahead of the Glens UEFA Cup tie with Matalurgs next Thursday. Confirmation that Dundela keeper James Taylor has put pen to paper on a one-year deal eases the concern that Elliott Morris could be out for some time with a serious back injury. Northern Ireland U21 defender Johnny Taylor has also signed on at the Oval, for 2 years. 20 year-old Johnny was actually at the Oval pre-season last year, but moved on to join Scottish Premier League side Hearts. He picked up an injury early into his new job though and failed to feature regularly for the "Jam Tarts" throughout most of last season. Both players have already featured in the Glens pre-season friendlies, Johnny actually notching up a goal last Saturday.
8th Jul 08. Latvian Champions on the box - Latvian Champions and current league leaders Ventspils, are LIVE on Welsh TV Channel S4C next Tuesday night (15th) when they face Welsh League Champions Llanelli in a Champions League qualifier - the channel is free with sky (not sure of virgin). It's a rare opportunity to get an inkling into what we might expect when Metalurgs visit the Oval 2 days later. Ventspils and Metalurgs have finished 0-0 twice this season, the latest just 10 days ago.
6th Jul 08. Metalurgs draw yet again ... Glens UEFA opponents Liepājas Metalurgs have today drawn 2-2 away to 3rd placed Skonto Riga in the Latvian league. Metalurgs have now drawn 7 of their 13 games played thus far in the league and remain 6th, 12 points behind leaders Ventspils. By the way, Glens beat the peelers 7-1 :-)
1st Jul 08. UEFA CUP DRAW - Glens v SK Liepájas Metalurgs, Latvia. Away 31st July (TBC).
Some info on our opponents: Metalurgs hail from a city called Liepāja (surprise ;-), the 3rd largest in Latvia and located on the Baltic Sea some 120 miles west of the capital Riga. Once home to the Soviet Union's Baltic Fleet and westernmost Nuclear Bunkers (some 26,000 Military were based here), it now boasts a NATO Military base, though is primarily a commercial port catering for traffic from Westen Europe. Liepāja's coastline boasts miles of unbroken sandy beach and dunes, and while doing a "Google Earth" search for Metalurgs' 5,000-capacity Daugava Stadium you'll be delighted to hear I've found it's located on that beach ... just be sure to bring yer thermals! The team themselves were founded in 1949, and currently lie 6th from 10 in the Latvian League, having won 4, drawn 6, and lost 2 of their 12 games thus far (home 2,3,1 - away 2,3,1) They also play the second leg of their Latvian Cup Q/Final tomorrow, having lost 3-2 at home to Riga in the first leg. A team made up mostly from home-based players, they also boast a couple of Brazillians and an Argentine in their squad. They finished 2nd in the League last year, and haven't finished outside the top 3 in the last 10. Click HERE for a satellite pic of the stadium.
GLENS v CELTIC CALLED OFF - The pre-season Oval friendly between Glentoran and Celtic has been called off. I'd prefer not to comment until we hear an official response from the Oval.
30th Jun 08. EUROPEAN BALLOT WINNER IS ... Thomas "Hoot" Hewitt! - The draw for the Ballymac European Ballot was made this evening by Glens captain Paul Leeman. Thomas Hewitt, "Hoot" to all who know him, (and an East Belfast bluedog no less!), was the lucky winner - I think it's fairly safe to say he'll be taking the money!! Anyways, congratulations to Hoot, unfortunately there can be only one winner folks, and the club and I would like to thank each and every one of you who entered the draw. Thanks also to Paul Leeman for once again giving up of his time to do the needful. We now look forward to tomorrows Uefa Cup draw (live from Nyon, Switzerland on Uefa.com) at 12.30pm, as soon as our opponents are known I'll be posting it here.
Duns v Glens - Glentoran will travel the short distance to Wilgar Park again this year, to face Dundela in the now annual friendly on Saturday 2nd August. The game presents Alan McDonald with a final opportunity to run his eye over the squad before the new season begins, but has been put back to a 4.00pm kick-off to accommodate the GCT “Colours of the World 08” Unity Cup & Open Day at the Oval which takes place on the same day. A timetable will be released soon.
25th Jun 08. GCT, LEGION 1882, & GLENTORAN YOUTH SQUADS GO VIRAL - Over the last couple of months the Glentoran Community Trust have been working in conjunction with the emerging 'Legion 1882' supporters group in an attempt to attract more younger fans back through the Oval gates. Having researched the most effective way to get the message out there, Legion 1882 have produced Glentoran’s first 'viral'. The 5 minute short airs for the first time on Youtube, Bebo, Facebook etc today and can be viewed at this link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4sbttEhQ5g. If you’ve been around the Oval at all in the last couple of years this one is worth a watch. ForzaTV will also run the film. The project has been brought together by ForzaTV, Legion 1882, GCT, Glentoran stars of the future, and Glentoran Football Club. Something different, something new, hopefully there will be some exciting news for younger Glenmen and women in the not too distant future.
23rd Jun 08. BALLYMAC BUS TO DESERTMARTIN - The Ballymac will be running our first away bus of the season to the Glens first pre-season friendly with Desertmartin this Saturday 28th June. The game is the official opening of the Ballymena League side's new ground, which can be accessed from the centre of the village and will be signposted. Bus departs the Ballymac GSC clubrooms in Wilgar Street at 12.30pm and all visitors are once again very welcome to travel. Is it that time already!! ** Remember, kick off on Saturday is 2.00pm
19th Jun 08. New Glens friendly? - I know it's been a bit quiet on here recently folks, been takin a break. Bear with me and we'll be up and running again before long ;-) Anyways, just heard of yet another pre-season friendly the Glens are allegedly involved in.. and not a Scottish club in sight! Desertmartin FC, they of a council pitch in Mill Park, Tobermore, have announced a friendly with the Glens on Saturday 28th June, 2pm kick-off. £5, £3 & U16's free! No official confirmation yet from GFC.
10th Jun 08. UEFA Cup draw change - UEFA have put back the date for our UEFA Cup draw, originally scheduled for Friday 27th June, it will now take place on Tuesday 1st July to accommodate the EURO 2008 Final on June 29th. The Ballymac Ballot draw will still go ahead though at our clubrooms on Monday 30th June as originally planned, although the winner will now have to sweat it out til the next day to find out where we will be going!
4th Jun 08. Glentoran League Champions - Bit late I know but in case you hadn't heard. Congratulations to Glentoran Colts who won the Carnegie Youth League Championship at Allen Park last Saturday with a 3 - 0 win over Ballymoney United Colts with goals from Selfridge, Southam and Steele. A great finish to a long season. Well done to all the players and the management team for the season of Blairso, Spike, Morgie and Chris.
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