Friday 16th February 2024 ko 20:00

IFA Championship

PORTADOWN 2 (Mayse 69p 90)

BALLYCLARE COMRADES 2 (Roohi 41 Hassin 52)

Att c1,000

Entry £8

Teamsheet FREE

The plane landed at Belfast City Airport and I allowed myself a wry smile at the oddity that is residents of Great Britain flying to Northern Ireland. We’re hardwired to expect a plane flight to result in us landing in a different country, so having no passport control, and paying for the hire car in Sterling was convenient, if a little unusual!

As someone in their early 50’s trips to Northern Ireland are still something of a novelty to me; I’m very aware that I’m miles behind in groundhopping terms from where I am on the mainland. The Troubles are of course the reason for this. Back in the early 90’s I wouldn’t have dreamt of visiting here, Portadown as an example added up to the annual riot along the Garvaghy Road during Marching Season. We passed along the flyover crossing the road on our way to Shamrock Park, I did glance as we passed; thank heaven things are gradually being worked through. The people on both sides deserve nothing less.

I need to be completely candid as to why we’d picked Portadown. We had options, both Derry City and Coleraine were at home, but the fact we headed here was down to Portadown Communications Director Jonny Dunlop. He saw our plans on Twitter and invited us for guided tour of the ground. In the nicest possible way that made our minds up for us, and not for one moment did we regret our choice. Unfortunately Jonny wasn’t able to make the game, so our thanks too to Dave Wiggins who showed us round- it was a very informative tour.

It seems to be that that in any league system there’s usually a few clubs that ought to be in the top flight but for one reason or another aren’t. Portadown are a classic example of that, they’ve a long history of IFA Premiership football including European football against the likes of Porto, Red Star Belgrade and CSKA Sofia. Sadly they were relegated last season, which must hurt for a club with 4 Irish Leagues, 3 Irish Cups, and 24 Mid Ulster Cups. They’re well placed for promotion this season, and have made it to another Irish Cup Final with the distinct disadvantage to it being against Linfield, at Windsor Park. With my Oxford United hat on, Scottish striker Gary Twigg played for us in 2007 during our National League days but saw far more success at Portadown later in his career.

Shamrock Park reflects the club’s status and ambitions. Currently there are only two all-seater stands in use, giving a capacity of 2,770. Opposite the main stand is the old grandstand now disused, with plans afoot to demolish it. The idea is to build a 1046 seater stand and convert the pitch to 3G. The open end to the north would see a domed structure enclose the current training facility there.

The game proved to be well worth the effort in getting there. I’d expected a straightforward Portadown win, but Dave had warned us against that notion. He was right, although it was very much a case of Ballyclare converting the kind of chances that their hosts were missing. What changed everything was the penalty expertly dispatched by Ryan Mayse, and the loss of Ballyclare goalkeeper Gerard Walker to injury. He was replaced by the youthful Robbie Mather, and as the visiting defence sat back to defend him it gave Portadown enough space to feed Mayse, who fired home for an oh-so late equaliser.

I’ve spent enough time watching games as a neutral to greatly enjoy it when I do get behind a team. It was lovely to be able to catch up with Dave after the game, and it was of no little relief that I’d managed to visit a friendly club without completely jinxing them!

Dedicated to Jonny and Dave- two wonderful ambassadors for their club.