Millar’s joy as cup draw sets up latest chapter of fierce rivalry
IT was January 1987 and the Irish Young Footballer of the Year was on the move. Little did he know that 33 years on, he’d still be in the thick of the bitter rivalry his transfer helped to create.
A teenage Paul Millar had, just six months before, won the Irish Cup for Glentoran with a late goal to edge a much-fancied Coleraine 2-1 in the decider.
In fact, he had scored in every game of the cup run, seven in six matches. The Glens had high hopes for a local east Belfast prospect.
Yet here he was, just a few months later, off down the M1 to join Portadown.
He was, of course, linking up with a certain Ronnie McFall, who had just taken charge of the Co Armagh club after being ousted by the Glens two years previous.
Insult was added to Glentoran’s injury in the summer of 1987 when another local lad, Philip Major, followed, joined by former international Tommy Connell, the late Davey Mills and Brian Strain.
A year later, McFall would swoop for star man Alfie Stewart, who had just helped Glentoran to a league and cup double.
“Big Ronnie’s to blame,” laughs Glentoran assistant Millar (above), who will be in The Oval dugout when the rivalry is renewed as Portadown arrive for an eagerly-anticipated Irish Cup fifth round clash on January 4. “For supporters, it will be good. We’re going alright at the minute, Portadown are going alright and the Irish Cup is special.”
The rivalry has remained ferocious since Millar’s move, with Irish Cup ties in particular stoking the fires at regular intervals. There was the 1990 final, when Glentoran upset the league champions 3-0. Then the 2003 semi-final saw ugly brawls between supporters mar Glentoran’s 6-1 win.
And, of course, the famous 2015 final, in which the Glens’ winner followed seconds after a highly-controversial decision not to award a foul when Portadown’s Michael Gault was brought down by Willie Garrett when through on goal.
“It’s a big game, it’s a big rivalry,” smiles Portadown boss Matthew Tipton (right).
“One that sticks in the mind from my years playing for Portadown was a game at Shamrock. We were 1-0 down after 74 minutes and I managed to grab two goals to win it late on.
“It’s completely different now though. We’re two different clubs at two different stages and it’s now about the players who are currently playing. Can they go and get something for us?”
The Ports are currently six points clear at the top of the Championship and, while his loyalties are back in his native east Belfast, even Millar wouldn’t mind a little Portadown success if it meant a return to regular instalments of the rivalry.
“It’s good to see Portadown on a bit of a revival,” he said.
“They’re top of the Championship and should be in the Premiership so this should be a tasty game.”
He’s hoping the match will mark the start of a victorious run as the Glens chase a 23rd Irish Cup success, and what would be the club’s first since 2015.
“For the players that have been here a long time like Elliott Morris, Marcus Kane and Curtis Allen, it hasn’t been plain sailing,” said Millar.
“It’s been doom and gloom. It’s the same for the supporters and they still turn out in high numbers to support the club. I think they deserve to get something back.” The break is over and the 33-year-old rivalry is back.
If only Millar had known what he was starting back in January 1987.
Earlier this month when asked about a potential match between North and South in Belfast, outgoing FAI president Donal Conway said: “There not being any huge security concerns, we would take our allocation and, in that instance, we would try to enhance our allocation. We’d have very good strong relationships with the IFA.”
That may be the case, with both associations involved in a ‘home nations’ bid along with England, Scotland and Wales for the 2030 World Cup finals — as well as jointly bidding for the Under-21 European Championships in 2023 — but such a request will be given short shrift by the powers that be at the IFA.
On the Republic’s last two visits to Belfast in 1993 and 1994, there were restrictions on away fans. The IFA would not see it that way this time if the match comes to pass, believing they would be abiding by UEFA regulations.
While preparations for a possible final will continue behind the scenes, the IFA have been clear in public that the match they are focusing on right now is the play-off semi-final, which will be a real test for Northern Ireland having lost home and away to Bosnia and Herzegovina in last year’s Nations League.
The Bosnians will formally announce the venue for the March 26 encounter prior to Christmas, with thousands of Northern Ireland followers expected to travel.
The IFA have also been careful with regard to manager O’Neill’s situation, stressing the Stoke City boss will be in charge for the play-offs.
If successful in reaching the Euro 2020 finals, the players want O’Neill to be at the helm then as well.