Glasgow diary 2014: Paradise found (again)

We took our last Subway trip of the day back to St. Enoch’s station and took a 66 bus from the city to Parkhead. Celtic’s stadium felt far more welcoming to us than Ibrox had. I’m not sure which factor contributed to this more: a psychological predisposition caused by years of preconditioning/fandom or the hundreds of Irish tricolours dotted around the stadium (with hundreds more draping the stands inside).

Glasgow diary 2014: Firhill - the stadium you won't see unless you're looking for it.

Following Jon’s instructions, we made our way back to the Ibrox subway station and headed for St. George’s Cross in Glasgow’s West End. A twenty minute slog along Maryhill Road awaited us. 

Glasgow diary 2014: Ibrox - football stadium or office block?

The most ironic thing about us visiting Ibrox is that the stadium, in its current guise, was modelled on Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion (not something I knew before writing this piece, I admit). 

Glasgow diary 2014: Introduction.

Last weekend, myself and Anto Gallagher continued our tradition of taking in one random game abroad a year by visiting Glasgow to see Celtic face Inverness in the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL). Our early flight meant a 4a.m. start, but this put us in Glasgow city centre at eight, giving us ample time to decide what we should do with our solitary full day in Scotland’s largest city.

For loi19.com: Martin Murray's Shelbourne set to appeal Enda McGuill Cup expulsion

Shelbourne boss Martin Murray has confirmed that the FAI u19 Disciplinary Committee this week ruled to fine the Reds and remove them from the Enda McGuill Cup – re-instating Drogheda United in the process – following an administrative error on the day of the semi-final clash between the two sides at the Chanel Centre in Coolock.

For loi19.com: Enda McGuill Cup semi-final preview: Local lad, Drogheda United

Drogheda United’s Jordan Harmon is very much a local lad. Having begun his playing career with Drogheda Boys when he was eight years old, he stayed with them until just after his 17th birthday, when he joined Drogheda United in January 2013.

For loi19.com: Enda McGuill Cup semi-final preview: Birthday boy, Shelbourne

Birthday boy Jake Donnelly turns 19 on the same day as his side’s Enda McGuill u19 cup semi-final against Drogheda United at Parnell's in Coolock this weekend – and he isn’t at all picky when it comes to potential presents.

For loi19.com: Paul Doolin interview

Having steered the Republic of Ireland Under-19's to the Elite Phase of the 2013/14 UEFA European Under-19 Championships, manager Paul Doolin took time out of preparation for his fourth Elite Phase to speak to loi19.com  about his side’s chances of reaching the finals in Hungary next summer; the teams standing in his side’s way of progression; the importance of making home advantage count; and the tricky question of squad selection.

For loi19.com: Reaction to Enda McGuill Cup semi-final

Following today’s draw for the semi-finals of the Enda McGuill Cup, loi19.com caught up with the attendees to gauge their reaction.

For loi19.com: Emergency Sam on call for Pat's

St. Patrick’s Athletic midfielder Sam Verdon can count himself amongst an exclusive club which includes Republic of Ireland internationals past and present, Niall Quinn and John O’Shea.

For loi19.com: Ryan Robinson - September 2013 Player of the Month

Shelbourne’s Ryan Robinson has been selected as the Airtricity League of Ireland Under-19 Player of the Month for September.

For loi19.com: FAI delegation heads to Greece for UEFA Study Group Seminar

The League of Ireland u19s will be represented at a UEFA Study Group seminar in Greece this week as Shelbourne’s Marin Murray and Derry City’s John Quigg form part of an 11-strong FAI delegation.

For loi19.com: Left-back Desmond has the striker's touch for Shels

He hadn’t scored in over three years but he now has two goals in six games – and left-back Lee Desmond is aiming to keep the front foot forward as Shelbourne look to maintain their impressive form in their bid to become only the second side to win the League of Ireland u19 Elite Division title.

For loi19.com: Conor Pepper two-part interview

Conor Pepper is currently in his second season at Scottish Premier Football League (SPFL) outfit Inverness Caledonian Thistle. The former St. Patrick’s Athletic midfielder was home for the international break last weekend, so we met him in Malahide – joined by his sister Naoise – to talk about his career so far.

For loi19.com: Goalkeeper Michael Lynch with his jumpers for posts

“If you’re good enough, you’re old enough” is an adage so clichéd that it has almost fallen out of use in footballing circles – the point is now translated through actions rather than words as clubs across the League of Ireland turn to youth on the pitch to help keep books balanced off it. And goalkeeper Michael Lynch is another protege hoping to make the jump sooner rather than later.