08/09/2008
Glentoran Winners In First Sunday Fixture
Belfast team Glentoran have beaten Bangor in the first Irish League football fixture to be played on a Sunday.
The east Belfast side beat visitors Bangor 1-0, at the Oval. The game had been postponed from Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch.
Previously, matches have not been played on a Sunday, due to a rule that had been in existence for 60 years. Last year the ban was lifted which gave individual clubs the freedom to choose if they wished to play on Sundays, if both sides agree.
A small Free Presbyterian demonstration, of around 20 or 30 people, was held outside the ground during the match.
Speaking to UTV, IFA Chief Executive Howard Wells, said: "The whole decision around Sunday football was always on the basis that individual clubs would have freedom of choice about whether or not to play on a Sunday.
"In this instance, because of the fixture jam already building up, the clubs made a decision to go ahead and play."
He added: "I understand that it has gone off very positively."
(JM/KMcA)
The east Belfast side beat visitors Bangor 1-0, at the Oval. The game had been postponed from Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch.
Previously, matches have not been played on a Sunday, due to a rule that had been in existence for 60 years. Last year the ban was lifted which gave individual clubs the freedom to choose if they wished to play on Sundays, if both sides agree.
A small Free Presbyterian demonstration, of around 20 or 30 people, was held outside the ground during the match.
Speaking to UTV, IFA Chief Executive Howard Wells, said: "The whole decision around Sunday football was always on the basis that individual clubs would have freedom of choice about whether or not to play on a Sunday.
"In this instance, because of the fixture jam already building up, the clubs made a decision to go ahead and play."
He added: "I understand that it has gone off very positively."
(JM/KMcA)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.