Orangefield - Love Street Champions

Hurricane Ulidia 

Orangefield Stormtroopers

Last week we had Storm Ciara and this week we were promised Storm Dennis. As it turned out Dennis was much less of a menace than Ciara but he didn't help conditions as Love Street rivals took the pitch at Ulidia, ancient home of football. The first venue for international rugby in Ulster, Sunday's game was supposed to be of the Association variety and when the ball was kept on the ground, both teams were neat exponents of the code. When booted up into the air, Dennis took control and it was anybody's guess where the ball would end up. For thirty minutes, both teams probed and created chances and despite the conditions, some attractive football was played. Noel Wilson and Mark Lynn looked bright Orange (Noel is working on his tan for his upcoming nuptials) while Pauls McCoy and Madden were Green with envy. A half time stalemate looked inevitable until hesitation in the steadfast Ulidia defence allowed Doc (hereinafter referred to as "Nimble Doc" due to his appreciation of the diet loaf) to steal in and drive the ball home for a goal that was probably slightly against the run of play.

Half Time
Ulidia 0 - 1 Orangefield

Ref Orla posed with Team Captains at half time

After the game resumed, Orangefield were able to make sweeping changes to their team and introduced the product of their youth policy which did not take long to register on the scoresheet. Desperate Dan was deadly as he ducked through the deflated defenders to deliver the double for his team. Diving to his right, Neil in the Ulidia goal was unlucky not to get his fingers to the ball.

A raft of changes to the Ulidia team followed as the game continued to ebb and flow. Stuart King (Banbridge manager and former Linfield player) outran the Ulidia full back and delivered a pinpoint cross for the new Orangefield number 9 to cushion home on the volley, wrongfooting the Ulidia keeper. Hendy celebrated like never before as he had never scored before (at least not since the playground, and that wasn't such a long time ago) not realising that this was his lucky day - he would win a fish supper in the ballot later.

The game was not over and Ulidia gave the scoreline some respectability when debutant, Liam O'Connor netted from the penalty spot. It was only a consolation as the Ref blew for full time shortly afterwards and The Love Street Cup will spend at least a year in the Orangefield trophy cabinet.

Full Time
Ulidia 1 - 3 Orangefield

In the three meetings of the sides to date, it's 2 - 0 to Orangefield with one match having been drawn. Some recruitment is required if Ulidia are to regain the coveted trophy next year. It is not an impossible task, but one that will require some reality checks in the Ulidia ranks if we want to remain competitive.

Post match saw both teams, spectators and friends repair to the players lounge in the big house where the real fun kicked off.

Orangefield flaunt the Love Street Cup

Ron Manager considers what might have been

Hendy shows off his boy of the match award and phones his agent

A great turn out and contribution to the ballot meant that we were able to raise over £800 on the day. The Orangefield lads donated the tidy sum of £230 and Michael Lavery of the Big House split the food bill with Ulidia. This has taken the fund raising total to in excess of £4000 which is a magnificent effort by everyone. I know that some were not able to be there on Sunday and still wish to contribute to the fund so please do by following the link https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ulidiafootball

Remember that we are raising funds for the Belfast Marie Curie Hospice where our captain was cared for before his final whistle. A final push to see how high we can drive this total up in the next week or so. If you are having difficulty with the link please let me know and we can get this remedied before the page is closed.

Finally, a heartfelt thank you to Willie's family who turned out on Sunday to support his old team mates in what was unfriendly weather. We missed him on the pitch but cannot imagine the vacuum that has been left in their lives. We will continue as a team, in honour of his memory and we will win The Love Street Cup when we play for it again in 2021.

Love Street/McIntaggart Cup

Jolinho executes the St Pauli Double

The undisputed international, all embracing, non-racist, anti-sectarian ethos that we so proudly nurture at Ulidia was much in evidence when we were recently visited by two young Europeans. The fact that they were lost and looking for the former Kincora Boy's Home did not matter to Jolinho who gladly imparted the sterling advice of a man older than their combined years. He taught them how to perform his unique stepover and this time, in the shower. Kai and Jan were eager students and were happy to have included Ulidia in their whistle stop tour of the North and all the madness on offer. Jan will never forget the knife to his throat in Derry while Kai is proud to be remembered as a "Big Fuckin' German" all over Belfast. Hande Hoch meine Jungs!!

24 players on the pitch last week, but the intervention of Storm Ciara and more annoyingly, Belfast City Council meant that there were none on the pitch this Monday. Selection for the upcoming Love Street Charity Cup has therefore been unfairly compromised because the selection committee have very short memories. I would like to remind them how well Cruncher O'Keefe performed in the last competitive game with Cromac Albion when he was hailed for the chances that he missed rather than the one he converted.

Energy giving wotsits! - Cruncher swears by them

It is also worth reminding said committee that Cruncher is not available for this "Crunch" match due to other commitments. He will be with us in spirit though - Jameson's, I believe, as he has donated ballot prizes for the post match raffle. Thank you for that philanthropic gesture.

The opposition for the game on Sunday will be Orangefield Crocks which demonstrates the "Hands across the Divide" bollocks which has been fostered by our unique club. We have played Orangefield before and many of their players are neighbours of ours, even turning out in the green and white stripes when required.

Michael, Jim and Craig of Orangefield after a recent game for Ulidia

How fitting it is that they will provide the opposition in this replaying of The Love Street Charity Cup, last lifted by our Captain Willie McIntaggart in 2016.

Weiry and Willie in April 2016

It is anticipated that Weiry, for whom we played to raise funds 4 years ago will be making an appearance at Ulidia on Sunday, but don't expect him to buy you a drink. Not because he's a tight Scottish bastard, but because he has contributed handsomely to the fund raising page which has been set up to raise money for the Belfast Marie Curie Hospice who cared for Willie in December.

For those of you playing or coming to the game, please note that players are to convene at Ulidia at 12.15 for a 1 o'clock kick off. Post match nibbles in the Big House (next door) where music will be provided by The McIntaggart Ensemble and football will be on the telly. We hope to make this an annual event but much depends on your support so please do what you can do attend at some point on Sunday. If you are unable to make it (and you will need a bullet proof excuse) please go to
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ulidiafootball and give what you can. Just do it.