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Post by markby on Jul 23, 2020 13:30:49 GMT
Funny story about the trip to Thurles. Three of us went and hired a car in Dublin. We drove up to Ballybofey for the Finn Harps game. When the players got to the ground and saw the three of us there they were gob smacked that we'd bothered to make the effort to travel over there. Terry Conroy invited us back to the team hotel for drinks after the game where we found out about the change of venue to Thurles for the next game. WE set off to Thurles (in the days before sat navs) we weren't sure where we were heading and it seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. As we approached what we hoped was the right place we saw a kid pedalling along the road on his bike. We pulled up alongside him to ask directions and were stunned to see he was wearing a Stoke City jumper. The kid explained that his aunt lived in Stoke and had knitted the jumper for him as he supported Stoke. The game in Thurles would be the first time he'd seen Stoke play. He gave us directions and we told him we'd meet at the ground and see if we could fix it for him to meet the players. TC sorted it for him and also gave him some Stoke kit. The kid was absolutely made up. I've sometimes wondered whether he's still a Stoke fan after all these years.Poor sod. With a start in life like that, he's probably now living on Craggy Island, where even Father Dougal thinks he's a bit odd!
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Post by terryconroysmagic on Jul 23, 2020 13:34:20 GMT
Doubt it’ll be ROI any time soon as there is a 14 day mandatory quarantine in place from countries not on the green list.
Maybe Northern Ireland??
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Post by thanksjon on Jul 23, 2020 13:37:28 GMT
Doubt it’ll be ROI any time soon as there is a 14 day mandatory quarantine in place from countries not on the green list. Maybe Northern Ireland?? In fairness no one is bothering their bollox implementing that.
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Post by The Stubborn Optimist on Jul 23, 2020 13:38:52 GMT
Funny story about the trip to Thurles. Three of us went and hired a car in Dublin. We drove up to Ballybofey for the Finn Harps game. When the players got to the ground and saw the three of us there they were gob smacked that we'd bothered to make the effort to travel over there. Terry Conroy invited us back to the team hotel for drinks after the game where we found out about the change of venue to Thurles for the next game. WE set off to Thurles (in the days before sat navs) we weren't sure where we were heading and it seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. As we approached what we hoped was the right place we saw a kid pedalling along the road on his bike. We pulled up alongside him to ask directions and were stunned to see he was wearing a Stoke City jumper. The kid explained that his aunt lived in Stoke and had knitted the jumper for him as he supported Stoke. The game in Thurles would be the first time he'd seen Stoke play. He gave us directions and we told him we'd meet at the ground and see if we could fix it for him to meet the players. TC sorted it for him and also gave him some Stoke kit. The kid was absolutely made up. I've sometimes wondered whether he's still a Stoke fan after all these years.Poor sod. With a start in life like that, he's probably now living on Craggy Island, where even Father Dougal thinks he's a bit odd! He probably ended up like Father Jack.
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Post by markby on Jul 23, 2020 13:41:32 GMT
Poor sod. With a start in life like that, he's probably now living on Craggy Island, where even Father Dougal thinks he's a bit odd! He probably ended up like Father Jack. Or Mrs. Doyle.
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Post by kustokie on Jul 23, 2020 13:44:26 GMT
Surely we should be going to the USA in preseason, seeing that Mr Trump has got the virus under control! Come on down! I have retained dual citizenship because I thought it important to have a back-up plan. My kids who all got UK passports when Trump was elected, even though they were born here, for the same reason. Now we are all shit out of luck and jolly well fucked. We have to quarantine for two weeks if we fly to the UK and another two weeks when we return. Boris and Donnie are doing a grand job. In fact all the stats show the US is doing a bit better than the UK. But that’s not saying much, even Bangladesh is doing better - although their number may be a bit dodgy.
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Post by markby on Jul 23, 2020 13:44:52 GMT
Doubt it’ll be ROI any time soon as there is a 14 day mandatory quarantine in place from countries not on the green list. Maybe Northern Ireland?? Good point about quarantine.
Not so sure about NI, mind, since the facilities may not be so good, especially if they have to be pretty much "confined to barracks" for the duration.
Unless Michael wants a Pulis-style Boot Camp!
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Post by Northy on Jul 23, 2020 13:48:53 GMT
Does the Isle of Man trophy still exist? Not Sure, it was a great few days over there for the footy. FC Isle of Man FC have recently been accepted into the North West Counties League (along with AFC Bury) and will be playing in the North West Counties Div 1 South, they are funding all the away trips for the teams and any officials to the Isle of Man, they will be playing my local team, may see if I can get a weekend away there
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Post by liathroid on Jul 23, 2020 14:02:11 GMT
Never realised that's where Shamrock Rovers played. "[Shamrock Rovers] played at Glenmalure Park from 1926 to 1987, when the owners controversially sold the stadium to property developers. Shamrock Rovers spent the next 22 years playing home games at various venues around Dublin and on occasions, Ireland [Aviva?]. They moved into Tallaght Stadium prior to the start of the 2009 season after years of delays and legal disputes, during which time the club's supporters saved them from extinction." Afaik South Dublin County Council was very supportive of the new ground, although the local GAA acted the maggot for a long time to try to delay/abort it eg insisting that they should share the stadium, even when they had neither need nor right to do so. Anyhow, by League of Ireland standards, Tallaght (capacity 8.6k all seater) is pretty good:
There going again with a forth stand to bring it up to 10,ooo cap.Only thing is none of the stands are joined and its windy ,something like the bet365.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2020 14:26:43 GMT
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Post by Staffsoatcake on Jul 23, 2020 15:18:50 GMT
Derry City. At least McClean won't get any abuse.
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Post by terryconroysmagic on Jul 23, 2020 16:38:16 GMT
Doubt it’ll be ROI any time soon as there is a 14 day mandatory quarantine in place from countries not on the green list. Maybe Northern Ireland?? In fairness no one is bothering their bollox implementing that. An English team not following local quarantine rules, can’t see it myself
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Post by greenstokie on Jul 23, 2020 16:43:57 GMT
Derry City. At least McClean won't get any abuse. It's also in NI, so no quarantine rules apply. I'd like if it's to his old club Shamrock Rovers who are only up the road from me. I support St.Patrick's here (also in Dublin) but unlikely that Stoke will play them
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Post by mickstupp on Jul 24, 2020 0:26:50 GMT
Does the Isle of Man trophy still exist? Not Sure, it was a great few days over there for the footy. FC Isle of Man FC have recently been accepted into the North West Counties League (along with AFC Bury) and will be playing in the North West Counties Div 1 South, they are funding all the away trips for the teams and any officials to the Isle of Man, they will be playing my local team, may see if I can get a weekend away there We were regulars in that tournament in the mid to late eighties
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2020 0:36:31 GMT
I think we can rule Linfield out
A friendly v Glentoran or Coleraine, MON's first club perhaps
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Post by Northy on Jul 24, 2020 13:22:21 GMT
Not Sure, it was a great few days over there for the footy. FC Isle of Man FC have recently been accepted into the North West Counties League (along with AFC Bury) and will be playing in the North West Counties Div 1 South, they are funding all the away trips for the teams and any officials to the Isle of Man, they will be playing my local team, may see if I can get a weekend away there We were regulars in that tournament in the mid to late eighties Yes, I went over there. I was chatting to Alan Ball in the IOM clubhouse (he was Pompey manager at the time) he was the special guest watching our match and gave the MOTM to Chris Hemmings.
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Post by Scouse on Jul 24, 2020 14:42:03 GMT
I think we can rule Linfield out A friendly v Glentoran or Coleraine, MON's first club perhaps We played Linfield twice in the 80s during the troubles .. went the 2nd one ..two of us went. ..few more the first one I believe Also seen them play in Limerick under Macari
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Post by markby on Jul 24, 2020 14:46:53 GMT
I think we can rule Linfield outA friendly v Glentoran or Coleraine, MON's first club perhaps Why's that then?
Windsor Park is owned by the iFA (Michael's old employer), it's by far the largest and most modern in Ni, so easily best suited to cope with Covid restrictions. Also it's in Belfast, so handily placed for airports and hotels.
And Linfield are one of three or four F-T (or near F-T) clubs over there, it possibly being less convenient for P-T players to fit in an extra game in their own pre-season.
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Post by Northy on Jul 24, 2020 14:54:38 GMT
I think we can rule Linfield outA friendly v Glentoran or Coleraine, MON's first club perhaps Why's that then? Windsor Park is owned by the iFA (Michael's old employer), it's by far the largest and most modern in Ni, so easily best suited to cope with Covid restrictions. Also it's in Belfast, so handily placed for airports and hotels.
And Linfield are one of three or four F-T (or near F-T) clubs over there, it possibly being less convenient for P-T players to fit in an extra game in their own pre-season.
Probably thinking their fans are a bit notorious, but fans won't be allowed in. I know a few Glentoran fans and have a beer with them when I'm working over there, the sensible ish ones Linfield and Glentoran don't get on, both from the protestant community Beats the PMT buses up to the BET365 from SToke town centre, from about 11.45
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2020 15:50:14 GMT
I think we can rule Linfield outA friendly v Glentoran or Coleraine, MON's first club perhaps Why's that then?
Windsor Park is owned by the iFA (Michael's old employer), it's by far the largest and most modern in Ni, so easily best suited to cope with Covid restrictions. Also it's in Belfast, so handily placed for airports and hotels.
And Linfield are one of three or four F-T (or near F-T) clubs over there, it possibly being less convenient for P-T players to fit in an extra game in their own pre-season.
I think as someone one who grew up there are quite naive to suggest that. Let's not open that can of worms again.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2020 15:53:09 GMT
Why's that then? Windsor Park is owned by the iFA (Michael's old employer), it's by far the largest and most modern in Ni, so easily best suited to cope with Covid restrictions. Also it's in Belfast, so handily placed for airports and hotels.
And Linfield are one of three or four F-T (or near F-T) clubs over there, it possibly being less convenient for P-T players to fit in an extra game in their own pre-season.
Probably thinking their fans are a bit notorious, but fans won't be allowed in. I know a few Glentoran fans and have a beer with them when I'm working over there, the sensible ish ones Linfield and Glentoran don't get on, both from the protestant community Beats the PMT buses up to the BET365 from SToke town centre, from about 11.45 Is utter hatred between an element like you wouldn't believe and have witnessed scenes like above first hand. I know fans not present but was a good section who opposed MON as NI manager because of his religion. Just not worth considering
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Post by zerps on Jul 24, 2020 15:54:54 GMT
Never realised that's where Shamrock Rovers played. I did quite a bit of work in and around Dublin, including Tallaght, some years back. Stoke went on a pre-season tour of Ireland in about 1977, saw us v Finn Harps in a place called Ballybofey, the second game was v Thurles. Absolute top place ROI is. Strange combination Finn Harps play in Donegal, one of the nicest parts of Ireland for me. Thurles in Tipp a very odd choice I went to a wedding in Tipperary. It gives Royston Vasey a run for it’s money 😂
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2020 15:56:14 GMT
Strange combination Finn Harps play in Donegal, one of the nicest parts of Ireland for me. Thurles in Tipp a very odd choice I went to a wedding in Tipperary. It gives Royston Vasey a run for it’s money 😂 You obviously went to the more refined part 😁
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Post by thestatusquo on Jul 24, 2020 16:03:04 GMT
Strange combination Finn Harps play in Donegal, one of the nicest parts of Ireland for me. Thurles in Tipp a very odd choice I went to a wedding in Tipperary. It gives Royston Vasey a run for it’s money 😂 Was it a long way to go ?
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Post by zerps on Jul 24, 2020 16:15:32 GMT
I went to a wedding in Tipperary. It gives Royston Vasey a run for it’s money 😂 Was it a long way to go ? Yeah we went by lilo
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Post by franklin66 on Jul 24, 2020 16:43:54 GMT
I'll miss this preseason trip it's a shame but heyho roll on 21-22 and I'm in.
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Post by cotswoldstokie on Jul 24, 2020 18:37:04 GMT
Used to watch Drogheda and Dundalk a lot. If you think our ground is cold, Oriel Park in Dundalk makes it feel like Florida. For old go and see Glentoran - best old ground still in existence IMHO
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2020 18:43:13 GMT
Used to watch Drogheda and Dundalk a lot. If you think our ground is cold, Oriel Park in Dundalk makes it feel like Florida. For old go and see Glentoran - best old ground still in existence IMHO Yep a great ground. Saw them play Brann in a European tie, well I got there at half time.
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Post by Northy on Jul 25, 2020 8:49:27 GMT
Used to watch Drogheda and Dundalk a lot. If you think our ground is cold, Oriel Park in Dundalk makes it feel like Florida. For old go and see Glentoran - best old ground still in existence IMHO Been a couple of times, had an office on Hollywood road and used to stay at the Park Avenue hotel at the top opposite the DUP office, the walk through the terraced house streets to get there was interesting. One of the guys on site was an orangeman who lived near there and was doorman at one of the local 'clubs'
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Post by marylandstoke on Jul 25, 2020 11:24:01 GMT
Surely we should be going to the USA in preseason, seeing that Mr Trump has got the virus under control! DC United please! Party at my place before and after the game.
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