A NORTHERN WELCOME
by Cian O'Gamhna

With all the talk lately of a need for some sort of North/South cup
competition people are always coming up with the cons against such an idea
i.e. security.Personally I feel that such a competion would be a great
assett clubs North and South,it could be a good way to try a bridge the gap
inthe communities and it could give us here in the south a better picture of
real life up there and not the medias over blownperspective of events.I must
admit I have very little experience with lifein the North but those I do have
will stay with me a fond memorys,such as our recent trip to see Glentoran in
the Oval in the shadow of the Harland & Wolfe shipyards.I write this to inform
other pats fans of my experiences in the Oval as not many fans went up for
the match.As we drove into belfast we decided to park the car in theairport
instead of near the ground and got a taxi to the oval as the taxi drove
threw the streets near the ground we started to think this was a bad idea
as there was U.V.F paintings on the walls,flags hanging from lamposts etc.
But once inside the ground our attitude totally changed as we found out we
could have park the car in the local area without trouble,the club had even
made up a programme for the rushed together fixture,the people seemed friendly
they noded at you hello instead of the frosty reception we expected.I now felt
safe to show my colours and we made our way into the supporters bar were
we were greeted with handshakes and people teling us that it ws great to have
us up.Then we chated with the Glens supporters until kick off when we made
our way to our seats,there wasnt many there only about 400-500.Then in our
seats we had a great chat to a very friendly man who happened to be wearing
a Glasgow Rangers shirt made no difference to us,we just had a good natter
about football North and South.Then in the bar after the game we were invited
into see the board room which is a credit to the Glens full of trophys sadly
the Irish Cup was at some fundraiser event,but any way we meet the manager
Roy Coyle and the chairman John Parkinson,we were offered free drinks and were
shown there full collection of silverware (some amount by the way in a lovely display
case).So we left the Oval with found menories not of the match but of the reception we
got as one person said to use friendship is cheaper than seccurity and he was
damm right if only more thought like that.