Glentoran play down security fears

Glentoran chairman Stafford Reynolds has allayed Shelbourne fears ahead of their trip to Belfast tomorrow by insisting there are no security concerns.

When the draw for the first qualifying round of the Champions League was recently held, many eyes focused on Liverpool’s clash against Welsh minnows TNS.

But UEFA also paired the champions of Northern Ireland against their counterparts from the south, with the first leg at Glentoran’s Oval tomorrow.

With the match played during the marching season in the north, which peaks with the Twelfth of July celebrations today and when sectarian tensions are high, there were worries over safety.

The Dublin team have been given special dispensation by UEFA to remain in the south for tonight as regulations generally require a club to travel into the opposing city 24 hours before kick off.

It means Pat Fenlon’s side will stay in Newry, with Reynolds generously travelling down for the pre-match meal, even though it is his club who should be hosting.

Reynolds, though, concedes: “I can understand their trepidation.

“Sometimes people have a vision of Belfast and there are concerns. It would be the same for us if we were travelling to a country in central Europe that has problems. We would be concerned.

“But I would like to reassure them that everything should be fine, and the particular issues are nothing to do with us, they are political.

“We want these matches to build relationships and an understanding throughout domestic football in Ireland, and to help develop the game in both the north and south.”

The recent Setanta Cup, the first cross-border competition for a number of years – with Shelbourne losing to Linfield in the final – was staged without significant problems.

“That showed people can travel through Ireland without any major incidents and I don’t see any reason why there should be any trouble on this occasion,” added Reynolds.

“As for security, there will be nothing more than usual, and no need for anything extra as there will be good segregation between Glentoran and Shelbourne supporters.

“I have every reason to believe this will be a friendly game – although with both teams wanting to win for very obvious reasons.”

Shelbourne manager Fenlon is of the same mind as he said: “I don’t have a problem going up there, and I don’t think any of the players do either.”

More important to Fenlon is that his side avenge their surprise 2-0 defeat to Linfield at the end of May, and on home soil at Tolka Park.

The Shels players will certainly have the advantage of being fitter as they are in the middle of their eircom League season, albeit struggling to hang on to their title as they trail leaders Cork City by six points and having played a game less.

“Getting turned over by Linfield came as a bit of a shock,” said Fenlon.

“We never expected to lose that game, so this is a chance for us to get our own back on a team from the north.”

Fenon has doubts over key defender Colin Hawkins (calf) and midfielder Richie Baker (foot), although fellow midfielder Jim Crawford returns after a three-week lay-off with a groin problem.

Glentoran boss Roy Coyle has a number of worries, despite the fact his team are still effectively in pre-season as defenders Mark Glendinning and Pat McGibbon are on holiday, while midfielder Gavin Melaugh has a knee injury and defender Peter McCann a hip problem.