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Failed Statelet Premier League & Other Divisions 2021/22


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5 hours ago, LongTimeLurker said:

Portadown potentially relegated again? Changed days from two or three decades ago. Guess it pays to always get your paperwork in on time.

Lose the play off and they're gone.

Thought they would have benefited from their free go last season and kicked on, but they've struggled all season.

"On 30 April 2008, Portadown, who had been a senior football club in Northern Ireland since 1924, were demoted to the Championship as a result of the club's final application form for the new IFA Premiership (due to replace the Irish Premier League for 2008–09) having been received 29 minutes late and thus not considered. The club unsuccessfully appealed its exclusion.[2] Due to the drop from Northern Ireland's top domestic football league, the IFA Premiership, Portadown took on intermediate status, due to the IFA Championship, which was Northern Ireland's second tier of football, being an intermediate league at the time. McFall described the time as "the toughest point of his managerial career" but kept several star players and in their first season in the Championship. The club won promotion straight back into senior football, defeating their closest rivals Donegal Celtic 2–0 in the last (and decisive) match of the season. Also, after beating Newry City 1–0 at Mourneview Park on 28 February 2009, Portadown became the first intermediate club to win the Irish League Cup with Scotsman Gary McCutcheon scoring the winning goal."

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On 28/04/2022 at 08:35, Jacksgranda said:

What's the chances of Annagh United winning, in your opinion?

Well I did say Annagh had a leaky defence🤪, they’ve shipped 12 (TWELVE) away at Loughgall this afternoon!!😳 Not sure yet what sort of side they put out with the Play Off looming, but it’s hardly a confidence boost eh!!?

Edited by Clockwork
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23 minutes ago, Clockwork said:

Well I did say Annagh had a leaky defence🤪, they’ve shipped 12 (TWELVE) away at Loughgall this afternoon!!😳 Not sure yet what sort of side they put out with the Play Off looming, but it’s hardly a confidence boost eh!!?

:lol:

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Linfield 2 up with 2 late first half goals at Windsor, so that's that game over. Linfield probably deserve to be in front, but not by 2.

Will probably watch the second half at the Oval.

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Linfield 2 Coleraine 0, Glentoran 1 Cliftonville 2. Congratulations to Linfield on lifting the title - again - and well done to the Reds on pushing them all the way to the last match.

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Linfield 2 Coleraine 0, Glentoran 1 Cliftonville 2. Congratulations to Linfield on lifting the title - again - and well done to the Reds on pushing them all the way to the last match.
 
Yep, congratulations to David Healy and his Linfield side on clinching their 4th title on the spin.
The Blues have certainly endured one or two bumps along the way this term, but have dug in and secured the points when it really counted. Commiserations to Paddy McLaughlin and his Cliftonville team, who ran them so close. Still a fantastic season (LC Winners & League Runners Up). McLaughlin has reaffirmed what a good Manager he is in getting the most out of every player in his squad. A mention for Glentoran too, who have played some terrific stuff this season to end up empty handed.
Everything all tied up in the Championship too this afternoon. Newry City, yet to be crowned Champions, on a remote mathematical possibility only, enjoyed a comfortable 5-1 at home to Dergview, perhaps no surprise to see them clinch top spot and automatic promotion after leading proceedings for so long.
What did come as a shock however, was the scoreline at Lakeview Park, Loughgall. Second spot Annagh United the visitors. After taking the decision to field pretty much their second string (pending their play-off for promotion with Portadown; they were roundly hammered 12-1![emoji15]
We’ll see if that was a smart move by Ciaran McGurgan over the two legs next week I guess?
Their opponents certainly won’t have taken any confidence from their own performance today either, going down 5-0 at home to Carrick Rangers.
At the foot of the table, the tension was palpable as Queens Uni looked as though they were about to stage a miraculous recovery and hold onto their Championship place. After being hopelessly adrift for much of the season Queens found themselves needing a win on the last day and hoping that Knockbreda would lose at Institute.
With 15 minutes to go Queens were leading Ards 2-1 whilst Breda were trailing 1-0 over at the Brandywell. In a series of last gasp twists and turns, Ards fought back to equalise and then go in front whilst Breda drew level then immediately fell behind again.
It finished 3-2 to Ards & 2-1 to Institute. QUB relegated, Knockbreda live to fight another day.
Bar the playoff games to come, another thoroughly enjoyable league season draws to a close.
 
Edited by Clockwork
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Did you hear Healy’s post match comments with Nicola McCarthy[mention=22050]Jacksgranda[/mention] ? You wouldn’t think his side had just won the league eh? Thought it was and odd moment to deliver such a spiked and uncomfortable interview after offering the obligatory thank yous to his staff.
All Mangers are going to take some flak over the course of the season whether it’s from the fans, pundits or writers, but someone has clearly upset him this year. Just seemed a little out of character.


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10 minutes ago, Clockwork said:

Did you hear Healy’s post match comments with Nicola McCarthy[mention=22050]Jacksgranda[/mention] ? You wouldn’t think his side had just won the league eh? Thought it was and odd moment to deliver such a spiked and uncomfortable interview after offering the obligatory thank yous to his staff.
All Mangers are going to take some flak over the course of the season whether it’s from the fans, pundits or writers, but someone has closely upset him this year. Just seemed a little out of character.
 

No, I didn't, as you say Healy usually conducts himself well in public and comes across well, someone has maybe got under his skin and he's rapping their knuckles without naming names?

Thanks for your Championship input, very interesting reading every week!

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No, I didn't, as you say Healy usually conducts himself well in public and comes across well, someone has maybe got under his skin and he's rapping their knuckles without naming names?
Thanks for your Championship input, very interesting reading every week!

Likewise@Jacksgranda really enjoyed following your Premiership and Cup updates too. The Championship match reports/reviews have perhaps been a little thinner in recent weeks but it’s only due to being away with work[emoji53]. Think the NIFL is in pretty good shape atm, it’s entertaining stuff week in week out and has been a fascinating 3-way race in the top tier this season.
Will look forward to getting out and about a bit more next season hopefully. I love being able to get down to Taylors Avenue, but it’s also great to visit other grounds and take in games as a neutral in both divisions and the Intermediates too.
Cheers
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The dust has settled and it's all over, Linfield champions and Cliftonville runners-up, too many draws for the Reds in the last few games, when Linfield, too, were dropping points.

Linfield 2 Coleraine 0. Linfield deserved it, although Coleraine matched them for the opening 44 minutes. Unfortunately they didn't match them for the next 3, and that was that, the Bannsiders never looked like getting back into it.

Glentoran 1 Cliftonville 2. Cliftonville deserved their win, but the Glens gave them a bit of a scare for the last 10 minutes after pulling one back, although the final score didn't really matter if Linfield won.

Larne win at Seaview, 2-1, two sides who just didn't quite cut the mustard this season, but the Crues have the Irish Cup Final to look forward too.

Dungannon Swifts lose at home to Ballymena. Dungannon probably happy that they stayed up, but they need to push on a bit next season. Warrenpoint end with a win at Mourneview, sums up Glenavon's miserable season. And Carrick run riot at Shamrock Park, winning 5-0. All that worry for nothing @Clockwork !

Report on top two games - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61251670

Other games - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61287533

First Linfield P 38 Pts 83, second Cliftonville P 38 Pts 82, third Glentoran P 38 Pts 71, fourth Crusaders P 38 Pts 68, fifth Larne P 38 Pts 62, and sixth Coleraine P 38 Pts 51. The latter two along with Glentoran will be disappointed with their seasons.

Bottom half: Seventh Glenavon P 38 Pts 54, eighth Ballymena United P 38 Pts 53, ninth Dungannon Swifts P 38 Pts 35, tenth Carrick Rangers P 38 Pts 34, Play off place Portadown P 38 Pts 25 and relegated Warrenpoint Town P 38 Pts 21

Ballymena have the Irish Cup Final to play, otherwise it would again have been a bit of a disappointing season for David Jeffrey's men, Dungannon and Carrick will have been pleased to avoid the drop/play off. POrtadown will be extremely disappointed to face a potential return to the Championship. But they're not down yet!

 

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The dust has settled and it's all over, Linfield champions and Cliftonville runners-up, too many draws for the Reds in the last few games, when Linfield, too, were dropping points.
Linfield 2 Coleraine 0. Linfield deserved it, although Coleraine matched them for the opening 44 minutes. Unfortunately they didn't match them for the next 3, and that was that, the Bannsiders never looked like getting back into it.
Glentoran 1 Cliftonville 2. Cliftonville deserved their win, but the Glens gave them a bit of a scare for the last 10 minutes after pulling one back, although the final score didn't really matter if Linfield won.
Larne win at Seaview, 2-1, two sides who just didn't quite cut the mustard this season, but the Crues have the Irish Cup Final to look forward too.
Dungannon Swifts lose at home to Ballymena. Dungannon probably happy that they stayed up, but they need to push on a bit next season. Warrenpoint end with a win at Mourneview, sums up Glenavon's miserable season. And Carrick run riot at Shamrock Park, winning 5-0. All that worry for nothing [mention=76245]Clockwork[/mention] !
Report on top two games - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61251670
Other games - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61287533
First Linfield P 38 Pts 83, second Cliftonville P 38 Pts 82, third Glentoran P 38 Pts 71, fourth Crusaders P 38 Pts 68, fifth Larne P 38 Pts 62, and sixth Coleraine P 38 Pts 51. The latter two along with Glentoran will be disappointed with their seasons.
Bottom half: Seventh Glenavon P 38 Pts 54, eighth Ballymena United P 38 Pts 53, ninth Dungannon Swifts P 38 Pts 35, tenth Carrick Rangers P 38 Pts 34, Play off place Portadown P 38 Pts 25 and relegated Warrenpoint Town P 38 Pts 21
Ballymena have the Irish Cup Final to play, otherwise it would again have been a bit of a disappointing season for David Jeffrey's men, Dungannon and Carrick will have been pleased to avoid the drop/play off. POrtadown will be extremely disappointed to face a potential return to the Championship. But they're not down yet!
 

Delighted that Carrick have stayed out of Play Off trouble with a comfortable points difference in the end. Looks like Stuart King will continue into the second year of his contract and fair play to him, he’s managed to steer a course of safe passage. I don’t think a majority of fans have been onside though with his tactics and ‘set up’ for long spells this season. A promising run through Sept into early Oct quickly faded, with a succession of poor performances and some desperate defending. The fact we haven’t been quite as bad as Portadown and Warrenpoint this season doesn’t offer much solace. King has his work cut out over the Summer.

Meanwhile, David Healy on securing a 4th title on the bounce at Linfield describes the atmosphere around the place (at Windsor Park) as ‘toxic and horrendous’. Management never an easy ride even when you’re winning trophies eh!![emoji15]

Linfield: David Healy coy on future as Blues boss after latest title triumph https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61251673
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Portadown came from behind to beat Annagh United 3-2 in the play off first leg last night at the BMG Arena. Billy Stedman hitting the all important winner on 73 minutes to take a slender lead into the home leg at Shamrock Park on Friday.

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56 minutes ago, Clockwork said:

Portadown came from behind to beat Annagh United 3-2 in the play off first leg last night at the BMG Arena. Billy Stedman hitting the all important winner on 73 minutes to take a slender lead into the home leg at Shamrock Park on Friday.
 

Aye, heard the report on Radio Ulster, Portadown must be favourites, although 3-2 is not insurmountable.

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A wee piece about Newry City
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61320494

Honestly think they have a better chance of staying up this time after their last attempt 2018/19 in managing just one term in the top flight. Renewed contracts for experienced heads like Danny Hughes & Mark Kelly will help the young talent at their disposal in James Teelan, Odhran Casey & Caolin Connell amongst others.
Just a shame that they won’t get the chance to enjoy ‘The Mourne Ultimatum’ Derby (love it, whoever came up with that🤣) next season with a Warrenpoint heading in the opposite direction into the Championship.
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Portadown stay up with a late 1-0 win at Shamrock Park. Adam Salley on 88 mins, shortly after a disallowed goal for the visitors which would have levelled the tie for Annagh United.
Finished 4-2 on aggregate to The Ports who live to fight another day in the top flight. 

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Will miss the Cup Final this afternoon, (going to the Sheffield United Vs Fulham game), can’t see past a Crus’ win but would be delighted to see DJ’s Ballymena win it and look forward to the highlights later. 😎👌

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44 minutes ago, Clockwork said:

Will miss the Cup Final this afternoon, (going to the Sheffield United Vs Fulham game), can’t see past a Crus’ win but would be delighted to see DJ’s Ballymena win it and look forward to the highlights later. 😎👌

I hope you're not delighted!

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