February was all about football, taking in four Linfield matches, two of which were against Larne.
The other two were against Glentoran and Portadown.
2022 IN PICTURES – FEBRUARY
Tag Archives: Irish Cup
2022 IN PICTURES – JANUARY
2022 began with a trip to Dungannon on New Year’s Day to see Linfield win 6-1 at Stangmore Park.
On the Bank Holiday Monday that followed, I could have had a lie-in, but I decided to head up Cavehill instead.
I then visited a new football stadium for the first time, very exciting, going to see Harland and Wolff Welders take on Annagh United at Blanchflower Park, which had opened a few months earlier, this was my first chance to visit this ground.
The rest of the month, was Linfield matches, against Larne, Ballymena United, Glenavon, Cliftonville and Coleraine.
Harland and Wolff Welders v Annagh United
Harland and Wolff Welders v Annagh United Photo Album
PHOTO DIARY OF A FOOTBALL SEASON : FEBRUARY
February’s football watching began at Inver Park to see Linfield crash out of the Irish Cup. The less said about that, the better.
Four days later, and it was to Windsor Park, to see Linfield have a much better result against Larne.
Although that was followed up three days later with a defeat at The Oval.
My last football match of the month was to see Linfield scrape a win at home to Portadown.
PHOTO DIARY OF A FOOTBALL SEASON : JANUARY
January 2022 began with a trip to a very wet Stangmore Park to see Linfield put six past Dungannon Swifts.
I then treated myself the following week with a trip to a match as a neutral, and to a ground I had never visited before.
Blanchflower Park was the destination, my first opportunity to check it out since it opened, to see Harland and Wolff Welders take on Annagh United in the Irish Cup.
Three days after that, it was off to Seaview for the County Antrim Shield Final between Linfield and Larne.
It was back to Windsor Park on the next two Saturdays for Linfield’s home matches against Ballymena United and Glenavon.
The month finished with two away trips for Linfield, to Cliftonville and Coleraine.
Harland and Wolff Welders v Annagh United
Harland and Wolff Welders v Annagh United Photo Album
LARNE 2-0 LINFIELD 4.2.2022
It hasn’t been upgraded to a panic yet, but it is a concern, as Linfield exited the Irish Cup just six days after being knocked off the top of the Irish League table, as the winless run now stands at three matches at the worst possible time of year.
This wasn’t quite the response to Coleraine that people had in mind. Now Linfield are looking to respond to not responding when they needed to respond.
For the first ten minutes of this match, it was largely uneventful. However, that was to soon change when a shot from Andy Scott was punched by Chris Johns and fell straight to Lee Bonis to fire home and put Larne 1-0 up.
As soon as the ball was punched out, there was only going to be one outcome.
It was a bad one from Johns, the shot was catchable, or at worst, just tip it over the bar.
In a game of this importance, where the first goal would be key, it was such a bad goal to concede.
There was almost an instant response from Linfield, when Kirk Millar intercepted a pass and his cross intended for Christy Manzinga, fell perfectly for Ahmed Salam but his shot hit the post and went out for a goal kick.
He really should have scored. Even at this early stage, it was starting to look like it was one of those nights.
The night wasn’t getting much better for Linfield, you were thinking now you’d be happy to take a 0-1 at half-time
Linfield were all over the place, especially at the back. Chris Johns parried another effort just like the goal but got away with it.
Trying to play it out from the back, but the problem was, it was going back to Larne with no movement of inspiration in midfield.
Chris Johns was having too much of the ball at his feet as a result.
There’s nothing wrong with passing the ball back to the keeper when it’s the right thing to do, but far too often, the ball was going back to him because it was the easy thing to do.
As the half neared it’s end, Niall Quinn looked like he was going to equalise until his header was tipped over by Conor Devlin.
It was a strange paradox. As bad as Linfield were in the first-half, they still had two excellent goalscoring opportunities that could have brought an equaliser.
The start to the second-half wasn’t particularly inspiring. The much hoped for response didn’t materialise. It only took ten minutes before David Healy had seen enough, making a triple change bringing on Ethan Devine, Chris McKee and Jake Hastie.
It was Ethan Devine who was having the biggest impact, getting into positions and trying to make things happen. It looked like he was going to set up an equaliser when he headed on a set piece to Jimmy Callacher who headed wide when he should have scored.
When Jimmy Callacher can’t score from a header, you know it’s not your night.
As frustrating as he is, it wasn’t Christy Manzinga’s night either.
No matter how bad he plays, you keep him on because he might just get that goal.
It wasn’t going to happen, allowing himself to get into personal battles with Larne players instead of concentrating on putting the ball in the net.
Nobody was surprised when he got replaced for Kieron Evans as Linfield searched for an equaliser to at least get extra-time.
With ten minutes to go, that became an uphill task when a misplaced backpass from Jamie Mulgrew fell perfectly for Lee Bonis to round Chris Johns and make it 2-0.
Even with ten minutes to go, everybody knew deep down that it was game over.
As bad as Linfield were, they gifted Larne two goals.
It was a strange paradox where Linfield didn’t really pose much of an attacking threat but still had three great chances to score.
They just need to start doing the basics right at both ends, and quick.
After the game, Michel Parker was added to the squad, which suggests there may be fears over the fitness of Chris Shields and/or Cameron Palmer.
The squad now looks a bit bloated and lopsided, there’s a 2008-2009 vibe to it.
Up next, Larne again. The truth this, this game won’t make much of a difference to that game. I’d be saying that even if Linfield won.
And that is something they need to start doing again, and quick.
Elsewhere, Northern Ireland Block Bookings have reopened. I’m going to try and get moved to the Railway Stand. I’m bored of The Kop. Just bored by boring bores. You know the sort. They’re not a “Geg” and they’re not “Great craic”, they are just bores. Time to move to the more serene surroundings of the Railway Stand I think.
Northern Ireland are part of a bid for Euro 2028. We’re going to be a spare wheel. The guy on the night out who doesn’t get told of the change of plan and turns up at the wrong bar.
Not sure I can be bothered about how we should have built a 300,000 capacity stadium at The Maze.
I may be tempted to a game or two in England though.
This result means I will now have three free Saturdays to fill. I may go away somewhere. Brighton v Man United on the weekend of the Final sounds tempting.
HARLAND AND WOLFF WELDERS 1-2 ANNAGH UNITED 8.1.2022
Regular readers will know I love visiting football grounds, especially ones i’ve never been to. Over the past two years, I haven’t had a chance to because of you know what limiting my travel opportunities.
So, when the opportunity to visit a newly built football ground, and all I had to do was travel across Belfast, came up, it was too good to be true.
It was an opportunity I thought i’d never have. Ok, maybe that’s a bit dramatic.
You see, every time I had a free Saturday since it opened in October due to Linfield’s match being moved for live broadcast, Harland and Wolff Welders were always playing away from home. So frustrating.
Of course, Linfield were playing at the same time, but with a match against Oxford Sunnyside expected to be a non event (It was, eventually, after a lot of toiling), I could be forgiven for making the most of Harland and Wolff Welders getting a home draw in the 5th Round of the Irish Cup.
I was planning to get the train over but just as I was leaving the house my dad was passing and offered me a lift. Would have been rude not to take it up. He didn’t actually go into the game, but gave the new ground his approval from the outside.
It had a lot of bicycle parking spaces, which gets a thumbs up from me.
There are also a lot of car parking spaces available for fans attending, which is handy as there isn’t a lot of on street parking.
If you are so inclined, there is a bar at the back of the main stand behind the goal. There is another bar for Sponsors and Directors known as the Fred Magee Lounge, but the signage may need an update as, as of last week, he is now known as Fred Magee MBE.
One big stand for sitting if you wish, two smaller ones and one terraced stand as well as plenty of standing area along the side of the pitch, it’s a decent ground for Irish League football. The spatiousness (is that even a word?) will come in handy if Linfield ever make a competitive visit there.
Highlight of the day was walking past Glenn Ferguson, who was watching the game.
In the build-up to their opening game at Blanchflower Park, the club released a video showing off the facilities.
The visitors were Annagh United, best known for beating a Glentoran side featuring Nacho Novo in the League Cup in 2016, a result which saw the end of Alan Kernaghan’s reign at The Oval.
It’s not cup shocks against Glentoran that Annagh want, it’s League matches against them, which could be a possibility next season, with Annagh currently 3rd, six points behind leaders Newry City with a game in hand, and Harland and Wolff Welders a further six points behind in 6th.
No chance of a giantkilling here, mainly due to both teams being in the same division and relatively close to each other.
Naturally, there would be some relatively familiar names in both teams. Michael McLellan, briefly of Linfield in 2016, Darren Murray, of various clubs, Scott Davidson, who scored in the 2011 League Cup Final for Distillery and Ben McAuley, formerly of Ballymena United lining up for Welders. Annagh had Niall Henderson, an Irish Cup winner with Glentoran in 2015 lining up for them.
The first-half was mostly even, defences on top.
Of what chances there were, Welders keeper had to stretch to tip a shot over while Darren Murray headed just wide from a cross.
It was hard to see where a goal was coming from, then out of nowhere, Ruari McDonald flicked home a cross to put Annagh 1-0 up.
And then, almost another goal, as Darren Murray headed off the post immediately, agonisingly close to an equaliser.
1-0 down at half-time, Welders came out intent on equalising and had to wait until just before the hour when Michael McLellan got in behind Annagh’s defence, turning inside his man to create a shooting opportunity for himself and then firing the ball home to make it 1-1.
A game that had been even so far was now turning in Harland and Wolff’s favour, as they put pressure on Annagh’s goal. The best effort was a goalbound shot being cleared off the line.
Crosses were particularly problematic for Annagh, often evading the keeper and defender but unfortunately for The Welders, their attackers were never able to get a clear header to score, often going agonisingly wide.
With the weather getting a bit chilly, I was hoping for this game to be settled inside 90 minutes. Can’t say I was looking forward to extra-time.
Just as when I went to see Dunfermline Athletic take on Dundee in the Scottish League Cup in 2015, I was spared that by the game being settled in injury time.
The plot twist, was that the goal came against the run of play to Annagh, when a cross fell perfectly for Niall Henderson to set himself up to smash home from close range and win the game.
Even though there was still some time left for an equaliser, you just felt it wouldn’t come, and so it proved as Annagh made it through to the next round.
Their prize, an away tie against Dungannon Swifts.
Linfield meanwhile, were eventually winning 4-0 against Oxford Sunnyside, with a debut goal for Ethan Devine, just signed from Knockbreda.
I don’t know much about him, but i’d be hoping for a more experienced striker to be signed alongside him for the run-in. Still, good to see him and Andrew Clarke getting on the scoresheet.
One more defender to bolster numbers would be needed now that Trai Hume has moved to Sunderland.
A great move for him, though Sunderland signing Northern Ireland players leaves me conflicted as I am enjoying them languishing in the lower leagues.
He brings the ex Linfield contingent on Wearside to two alongside Carl Winchester. It would have been three if Conor McLaughlin hadn’t left in the Summer.
Linfield’s prize is a trip to Larne, meaning they will face Larne twice and Glentoran in the space of seven days. Bring it on.
It is being rumoured of a UK and Ireland bid for Euro 2028. I don’t know why England doesn’t just bid on it’s own. Still, at least it will fill up some pages on slow news day with reports of a 700,000 capacity stadium to be built in Belfast in order to host Slovenia v North Macedonia.
So, overall, it was great to be groundhopping again, it is a perfect ground for Irish League football, something for everybody depending on how you like to watch football. I would be very excited if Linfield were to play a competitive game here at some point in the future.
Definitely on my pre-season wishlist, though obviously not taking over my top two of Bray and Stranraer away.
2021 IN PICTURES – MAY
May took a while to get going. Three weeks it was until the first photo adventure.
That was three weeks into the month for a football match. An actual football match, my first of the year.
It wasn’t just any football match, it was the Irish Cup Final, where Linfield beat Larne 2-1.
The following day, I then headed to Cregagh Glen and Lisnabreeny Hill.
On the Bank Holiday Monday at the end of the month, I headed to Belvoir Park Forest that morning for a photo adventure, and to make the most of the sunshine.
Cregagh Glen/Lisnabreeny Hill Photo Album
Belvoir Park Forest Photo Album
PHOTO DIARY OF A FOOTBALL SEASON – NOVEMBER/DECEMBER/MAY
With Linfield having two away games on the first two weekends of November 2020, it wasn’t until the middle of the month that I finally got to see a game, Linfield’s 2-0 win over Glenavon.
A few days later, I was at Windsor Park again, to see Linfield take on Glentoran.
That would be my last match for a few weeks, as football fans would be punished due to the rest of society being unable to behave themselves with games now to be played Behind Closed Doors.
It would be the Saturday before Christmas before I see another game, Linfield’s match against Dungannon Swifts at Windsor Park.
This would be my last match for a while with an unplanned Winter Break in the Irish League as part of Lockdown, before games resumed in January in empty stadiums.
January, no football for me.
February, no football for me.
The same again, in March and April, and May.
Well, most of May, I was able to get to the Irish Cup Final towards the end of the month.
As Linfield’s final two games were away from home, that was me for the season as they are home fans only.
Let’s hope 2021-2022 is a lot better.
LARNE 1-2 LINFIELD 21.5.2021
Haven’t been to a match since Christmas, and then I turn up at the Irish Cup Final, I’m such a part-time supporter.
If only that was the case. Sadly, nobody has been in a football ground since December due to football fans being punished because the rest of society can’t behave themselves.
I’m surprised that my ticket application was accepted as I’m a bit of a jinx for Linfield in the Irish Cup in recent years, the last time I saw them win a game was the 2017 Final.
I don’t usually bother with home games against lower league sides, meaning I missed the games against Dergview and Newry in 2018, before turning up for the Quarter-Final defeat to Cliftonville.
The following year, I didn’t bother with the home game against Ballyclare, before turning up in time for defeat to Crusaders.
Away games against lower league teams excite me, but my jinxiness continued as Linfield lost to Queen’s University four days into 2020.
And the rest of the year didn’t get much better.
Thankfully, my application was successful, taking advantage of the later opening hours at Windsor Park on Wednesday to pay for it and pick up my testing list. You’ve probably worked out that my pre-match test on Wednesday was negative, or else it was BBC Two for me.
The tickets had to be printed off, which was a pain in the arse. Thankfully, I was able to make use of a nearby Internet Cafe to get that problem resolved.
Just getting a Final on Friday was a success, as Crusaders protest against their Semi-Final defeat was rejected.
If they did get a replay and won, they would have ground out a draw and won on penalties after Jonathan Tuffey saved every penalty while stood on the six yard line.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been hearing a lot about how things are “Going back to normal”. This might come as a shock to those in the Media, but there quite a lot of people who don’t give a flying fuck about Pubs or Primark. Things aren’t “Going back to normal” until everybody’s life is “Going back to normal”.
One of this signs of normality is the pre-match ritual, making sure I’ve remembered everything such as money, ticket and scarf, before a pre-match meal in Applegreen if the game is outside Greater Belfast, just as this one was.
I’ve never realised how much I’ve missed Applegreen.
Masks, tests and a reduced crowd, this was going to be a Cup Final that would be different to others.
For the second successive season, it was on a Friday night (Let’s not make that a tradition when full normality returns) and, for the first time since 1975, outside Belfast, due to Windsor Park’s pitch being relaid for the European Super Cup Final.
In 1975, it was at Ballymena Showgrounds. It was a bit surprising it wasn’t there again. That and Mourneview Park were the only two options if they needed an all seater ground that could accommodate two different sets of fans and Social Distancing.
Disappointingly, there were no physical programmes available on the night, although I was able to order one online afterwards. Not a chance I would have been doing that if Linfield lost.
Linfield fans were housed in the Glenfield Road Stand. Or, in simpler terms, the Away Stand.
Normally, I sit at the far end when Linfield attack the home fans, and then move to stand behind the goal in the second-half. Allocated seating meant that wouldn’t be possible, my seat was around the halfway line, not too bad and it turned out to be very convenient later in the evening.
Having not been to Mourneview Park since November 2019, the first thing you notice when approaching the ground is the amount of new houses that have been built or are being built. Some houses at the end where away fans stand offer a decent view. I wouldn’t be surprised if the new owners were offering a corporate package to supporters.
Going into Tuesday’s Semi-Final against Ballymena United, Linfield had lost on three of their last four visits to Mourneview Park. Despite that, they were able to make themselves feel at home when using it to host European games in 2009 and 2014 when Windsor Park was unavailable.
It was expected that Linfield’s line-up would be unchanged barring injury. That would be the case, unfortunately for Stephen Fallon, as an injury would force him out. His place was taken by Matthew Clarke with Niall Quinn moving into midfield.
There was a bit of pre-match drama as Andrew Waterworth had to withdraw due to his wife going into labour, safely delivering a girl that night.
I actually didn’t realise he was unavailable until midway through the second-half when I had a quick check during a break in play to see what Linfield’s substitute options were.
The game got off to a false start, with Shayne Lavery already closing down a Larne player for possession before Larne kicked off. That would be the only false start for Linfield.
If Lavery’s eagerness was a suggestion that Linfield were up for this, there would be no doubt 38 seconds into the game when Matthew Clarke thundered into a 40/60 tackle to win the ball.
It was a mission statement, a statement of intent. That intention being, to win the Irish Cup.
Linfield had the first opportunity of the game when Shayne Lavery got the ball on the byline. It looked like winning a corner would be his only option, but a late run from Cameron Palmer created an opportunity for him, only to be denied by Conor Mitchell closing him down and making himself big.
Unfortunately, the rebound which hit Palmer didn’t go goalwards, but it didn’t go out, Larne had to clear the ball away, the resulting play seeing a free-kick to Linfield in a wide position.
That free-kick was cleared at the expense of a corner as Linfield continued to put Larne under pressure, unable to get out of their own half.
The resulting corner fell perfectly for an unmarked Shayne Lavery, who miskicked his effort into the back of the net, and gave me a sense of jealousy at the supporters at that end who were able to join in the celebrations with the players just four minutes in.
It wasn’t the first time Linfield had scored early in an Irish Cup Final, scoring inside one minute in 2010 and inside three minutes in 2007.
Larne fans would also remember they netted early in 2005 ………. and went on to lose 5-1.
More recent memories that would have given Larne fans hope would have been coming from behind to win after conceding an early goal to Linfield in January 2020, November 2020 and December 2020.
There wasn’t much indication that would be the case, as Linfield continued to dominate the game.
Eventually, Larne would have their moments, offering a shot from Ronan Hale that was easily saved, another Hale shot that was blocked by Conor Pepper.
When Linfield were looking lively, it was usually when Joel Cooper was on the ball. And when he wasn’t on the ball, he was usually winning it back with an incredible amount of tackles, and not a single foul.
Even more impressive when you consider that he isn’t that tall, so doesn’t have the advantage of long legs that he can use.
Just after the half hour, he put Linfield 2-0 up when a cross from Conor Pepper evaded Shayne Lavery but fell perfectly for Joel Cooper for fire home.
There was a delayed reaction from the Linfield support as it initially looked like Conor Mitchell had tipped it around for a corner.
Those that were near it realised it was in when they saw Cooper celebrating, prompting those at the far end to start celebrating.
A commanding lead for Linfield at half-time, the only disappointment was that it was only 2-0.
Larne responded at half-time by taking off Martin Donnelly for David McDaid.
Usually, when the scoreline is 2-0, you expect the team that is trailing to be on top at the start of the second-half as they have the greater need to score. If you walked into Mourneview Park at half-time, you would have thought that it was Linfield who were 2-0 down and looking to get an early goal.
The second-half began the same way as the first-half, with Larne camped in their own half.
Shayne Lavery had a header saved while Cameron Palmer had a shot go just wide. He punched the ground in frustration as he knew that if it went to 3-0, there would be no way back for Larne.
Eventually, Larne would offer a second-half response, a flurry of shots that were easily dealt with by Chris Johns.
Linfield remained on top, the most likely to secure a third goal.
Josh Robinson was forced into a last gasp interception to stop a through ball to Shayne Lavery while Joel Cooper had a shot saved as the ball wouldn’t bounce in the direction of Cameron Palmer who was rushing in to try and get on the end of a rebound.
A header from Jimmy Callacher almost brought a third goal, which would have added him to a surprisingly large list of players who have scored for two different clubs in an Irish Cup Final this century (Kevin Braniff, Kyle Neill, Andrew Waterworth, Philip Lowry and Mark Dickson have also done it, while Glenn Ferguson completed that achievement this century)
There would be a third goal in the game, coming to Larne in injury time as Jeff Hughes had space to fire home to make it 2-1.
Now the last 90 seconds were going to feel like 90 years.
There would be no worries, as Linfield were able to keep Larne in their own half, as far away from Linfield’s goal as possible.
The final whistle blew a few seconds early, but there was no controversy, as Linfield had an attacking free-kick deep in Larne’s defensive third. It was more an act of mercy.
My seat turned out to be very convenient as it provided a great view of the trophy presentation.
However, attention soon turned to the visit to Coleraine in the League, where Linfield need to avoid defeat to win the League.
As previously mentioned, this was the first football match I have attended since December 2020, so I have a lot to catch up on.
A few departures in the January Transfer Window for a start. The kindest thing you can saw about Ethan Boyle is that it didn’t really work out.
I was a bit surprised that Bastien Hery and Daniel Kearns were allowed to leave in January. I did expect them to leave this Summer, but they might have been kept for the run-in. Thankfully, we haven’t been short of numbers without them.
Hery was frustrating because he promised so much.
There will be departures this Summer as well, with Mark Stafford, Mark Haughey and Andrew Waterworth already confirmed due to being unable to commit to full-time football.
Joel Cooper will be returning to Oxford United while it is expected that Shayne Lavery will leave.
And then there’s Kyle McClean being out injured long-term.
That’s a lot of key players and experience that will need to be replaced, and quick, with European football starting in July.
The quick turnaround shows how badly organised this season is. Starting a 38 game season in October was absolute lunacy, and our clubs will be up against it in Europe next season due to the quick turnaround.
Once the club season is over, thoughts will turn to the European Championship.
Regular readers will know I planned on taking in a Last 16 game in Dublin, basing myself in Bray.
Sadly, that plan bit the dust due to Dublin losing their hosting rights, but I still have my booking in Bray, i’ll leave it to mid June to decide if to cancel or not.
Personally, I can’t see why the European Championship can’t be played in the Summer of 2022, especially when the World Cup is being played that Winter.
Sadly, it looks like Northern Ireland will be missing out after making a poor start in a difficult group, prompting the usual cries of how we need one football team like in Rugby, even though such a team wouldn’t come close to qualifying in either Northern Ireland or Republic of Ireland’s group.
All of Northern Ireland’s games have been behind closed doors. I actually would have loved to have gone to the friendly against USA as it would have been different, and a new team to tick off.
Not sure I could have put up with some middle aged man shouting “Donald Trump!!!” for 90 minutes and thinking he’s hilarious.
Northern Ireland’s tour of The Baltics in September would be tempting, although the dates don’t suit, so it doesn’t matter if fans are allowed to travel. Hopefully, Lithuania again in Euro 2024 Qualifying.
My next football match, hopefully, will be the European Super Cup Final at Windsor Park on 11th August. I hope, not sure how I would blag a ticket.
There has been a suggestion that Belfast might miss out due to Istanbul being compensated for missing out on the European Cup Final.
Now, i’m all for Istanbul being compensated, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of Belfast. Surely they should be first in line for the next available European Cup Final. Although, if Belfast’s Super Cup is deferred by a year, there will be an increased chance of getting a ticket, assuming we’ll be able to accommodate a bigger crowd.
A ground that i’m hoping to see in 2021-2022 is Harland and Wolff Welders new ground. I usually make it one of my cycle routes and work is going well.
Paul Smyth won’t be a QPR player in 2021-2022 as they’ve free transferred him. Idiots. He won’t be a Linfield player either. I’m not allowing myself to dream of that one, he’ll be choosing from clubs in League One.
Easyjet introducing a Belfast to Inverness flight has got me dreaming of football trips again. Catch a bit of football while Highland Hiking.
It’s great to be back in a football stadium again. Unfortunately, that will be it for me and Linfield this season due to the last two games being away.
Sad to think of the great celebrations missed out on. Waterworth’s goal at Portadown, Stewart at Coleraine, Callacher at Crusaders, Lavery and Cooper at Crusaders, Waterworth at Larne. All the goals where Linfield fans would have been, and all vital goals.
We’re almost over the finishing line, let’s not do anything stupid and get over the line.
That applies to Linfield’s title challenge and the battle against Covid.
2020 IN PICTURES – JANUARY
I went out for a walk on New Year’s Day and found a tenner. That was as good as it got in 2020.
If a see a £50 note lying on the ground on the first day of 2021, i’m just walking on and leaving it.
2020 began with a trip to the Football on the first day of the month. Not too far thankfully, just a short trip to Windsor Park to see Linfield beat Institute.
My second football match of the year, Linfield’s trip to Queen’s University, was not as enjoyable. The less said about, the better, even though it was my first visit to The Dub for a match.
I had to wait nine days for my next football match, as Linfield won at Cliftonville, before a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Dungannon Swifts.
It wasn’t all football, as the middle of the month saw my first concert of the year – Badly Drawn Boy at Black Box.
The first of many concerts in 2020, with Paul Weller and Lightning Seeds already booked for late March. Um ….
That was then followed by a trip to Manchester, primarily to see United take on Burnley. While I was there, I managed to sneak in a trip to Salford City v Accrington Stanley (a first visit to Moor Lane), as well as Street Art in Manchester and Salford Quays.
The month ended with two more football matches, Linfield’s 8-1 win over Glenavon, which was followed by a 3-1 defeat at Larne, my first visit to Inver Park since 2005.
Queen’s University v Linfield
Badly Drawn Boy live at Black Box
Badly Drawn Boy live at Black Box Photo Album
Manchester Street Art Photo Album
Salford City v Accrington Stanley
Salford City v Accrington Stanley Photo Album
Salford Quays Street Art Photo Album
Manchester United v Burnley Photo Album
Analogue Boy In A Digital World 