Ballymoney Utd face 'horrendous' schedule
Thursday, 21 August 2008
THE new Irish League season is still in its infancy but its birth has been complicated by all manner of complications.
First, there was the referees' strike, then there was the mass postponement of games last weekend because of the unseasonably monsoon like weather conditions.
Now, it seems as if Ballymoney United are facing another difficulty as they attempt to fit an incredible eight games into 25 days - including playijng Portaadown THREE times in a week and a half.
All that, and it's not even September.
For 'Toon' boss Joe McCall, it's a frightening schedule and one which will test his squad to its very limits.
“We've a helluva schedule coming up in the next few weeks, absolutely horrendous," admitted Joe this week.
“Even at this early stage in the league our squad is going to be tested to its very limits. We have around 21 or 22 players and I've already told them that I'll need them all. Everybody's going to get some game time.
“It's tough but the other side of the coin is that as managers and players you want to be playing games and competing against the best there is.
“We face Portadown three times in a week and a half which will go a long way to letting us see where we are at. The Ports are not only a Premiership side, they're a top four Premiership side, so we know it'll be tough but we'll give it our best shot."
Ballymoney Utd begin their marathon schedule at home to Newignton YC this Saturday in the Steel and Sons Cup, an appetising tie against a renowned cup side.
“They did well in the Irish Cup a few years back and they've a good record in cup competitions," continued Joe. "But we've started well, winning our first two games so we want to keep that going if we can."
Limavady away in the IFA Championship follows on Tuesday before the first of three meetings with Ronnie McFall's side on the Friday evening in the CIS Insurance Cup.
The following Tuesday it's Portadown again in the second leg of their CIS Insurance Cup clash and four days later it is, hopes McCall, another game in the Steel and Sons Cup.
Three days after that it's the first of the two league meetings with cross-town rivals Glebe Rangers, the following Saturday it's a league game against Banbridge and to cap it all follows a third meeting with Portadown, this time in the league.
