| Setanta Cup opens on a sour note as
rival supporters clash  By
DAVID THORPE
The second Setanta Cup competition between clubs north and south of the
border got underway this week on something of a sour note.
The supporters bus carrying Derry City players and fans back from their
1-1 draw with Linfield in Belfast was stoned by rival supporters.
The match itself was a lively affair. Linfield took the lead early on
through their highly-rated striker Peter Thomson, before the trickery
of Derry’s Pat McCourt earned his side a penalty which was calmly
converted by Sean Farren. Both sides had chances to claim the points but
the first clash between the teams for 34 years ended all square.
Linfield won this competition last year and were pre-tournament favourites
to claim this year’s renewal but on this performance they might
struggle to make an impact against the top Eircom clubs who are treating
the competition more seriously this year.
Shelbourne’s impressive pre-season run continued as they dismissed
the challenge of Glentoran. Bobby Ryan opened the scoring after half-an-hour
with a 30-yard shot which left Elliot in the home goal flat-footed.
A brace from Glen Crowe, including a spectacular effort from 40 yards,
sealed the points for Shelbourne in a match they dominated from start
to finish.
In the second-half the competitive debut of Irish U-21 cap Liam Kearney,
who was impressive, and Sean Dillon, whose physical presence added another
dimension to the Shels attack when he replaced Glen Crowe late on, showed
the Tolka men’s strength in depth.
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