First Shot!

Yes the big kick-off arrived and the colourful Cliftonville fans appeared with their red and white flags (although one of them appears to have washed out and looks to be green, white and orange), of course Jimmy Boyce (the former I.F.A. president says there's no such thing, just how long can Boycie keep burying his head in the sand I wonder). The paltry 200 hundred fans Cliftonville brought to the game did little to swell the coffers at the Showgrounds, although they did keep us amused by singing songs about the Irish famine, something to do with a grain failure I believe. But I digress, elsewhere there were few shocks, although the 'fat controller' had a close shave down at the bannside. Former United keeper Alan Blaney, allegedly made a major gaffe, my heart bleeds for both him and Linfield, but of course 'lucky Linfield' got a break when the home side had a man sent off for what can be best described as a mistimed challenge, but then they get penalties and sendings off etc, far, far more than their share. Reigning champions Glentoran got off to a flier with a 4-0 trouncing of the Whites, but I wouldn't read too much into that as one of their (the whites),major signings was Aaron Callaghan and we know all about him at Warden street, added to that Jim Brown is their manager, so there's not a lot going for them. So all in all nothing too strange or startling, but there's a long way to go and as the old saying goes, there's many a slip, between the cup and the lips, so roll on next Saturday!