Blues hope new deal for Cooper will help stave off interest from English suitors

AS competitive football returns to Northern Ireland after 135 days, Irish FA president David Martin says his thoughts are with everyone in the country who has been affected by Covid-19.

The last Danske Bank Premiership games were back on Saturday, March 7 and the global pandemic ensured the game had to go into cold storage while the country went into a long lockdown to save lives.

Even though the virus is still spreading, restrictions are gradually being lifted and this evening’s games represent an important step forward for football, its players and supporters.

But the fans will have to wait to watch some live action while strict health protocols are observed.

Tonight’s semi-finals of the fonacab Irish Junior Cup will be staged at two separate behindclosed-doors venues in county Armagh.

Holders Enniskillen Rangers from the Fermanagh and Western League will face Bessbrook United of the Carnbane League at the home of Annagh United on Portadown’s Tandragee Road at 7.45pm.

And another F&W team, NFC Kesh, will contest the other semi-final against west Belfast side Willowbank of the Northern Amateur Football League at Armagh City’s Holm Park at the same time.

Fans are also excluded from the Irish FA Harry Cavan Youth Cup final, which sees Cliftonville Strollers tackle Institute U18s at Mill Meadow — the Castledawson home of Moyola Park — on Wednesday.

In Friday’s Intermediate Cup semi-finals, Dollingstown will face St James’ Swifts at Tandragee Road, while Belfast Celtic will meet Newington at Seaview (both 7.45pm).

The senior game is back with a bang next Monday when the two Irish Cup semi-finals, Ballymena United v Coleraine and Glentoran v Cliftonville, go ahead at Windsor Park.

No spectators will be in attendance, though the Irish FA are hopeful a few fans can attend the final at Windsor on Friday, July 31.

IFA chief Martin has hailed football’s return as a big step forward, while acknowledging the suffering and loss Northern Ireland has endured.

“The season ends on July 31 and it has been the Association’s focus to have all their Cup semi-finals and finals played before that date,” he said.

“The football landscape has been decimated, like other sports, but by extending the season we have the opportunity to play the competitions.

“I’d like to say thank you to all the clubs involved for their patience and returning to training and working within the guidelines included in the IFA’S return to play protocols.

“Thanks in particular to the Covid-19 response group within the IFA for the work they are doing as well as the health professionals in the Government departments we have worked with to get football up and running again.

“The Association has been working closely with Government and my personal thanks along with the gratitude of the Association must go to the health experts who have helped us with this step by step approach back to normality.

“This is the first small step but a significant one. It will give us a lift but we must remember that hundreds of lives have been lost in Northern Ireland and that is uppermost in our minds.”

If there is approval from the NI executive, only “very small numbers” will be allowed into Windsor for the Irish Cup Final at the end of next week. “The Association has been working with the Department of Communities and health service officials regarding the safe return of supporters to grounds,” added Martin (left).

“There will be no supporters at any of the junior semi-final or finals, with small numbers admitted in line with our protocols.

“It‘s hoped some fans can attend the Irish Cup final on July 31 but that will depend on talks between the Irish FA’S Covid-19 response group and health authorities.

“We can’t put a figure on it but I would anticipate no more than very small numbers.

“The real story of the last four months has been the number of fatalities and that is always in our mind as we plot a way out of this pandemic.”

For Under-18 and other youth games, a parent or guardian transporting a child to a game is deemed to be assisting with the fixture and is therefore permitted to attend.

• FORMER Derry City and Crusaders favourite Barry Molloy has been appointed manager of Rolls-royce Leisure FC, an amateur men’s team playing in Division One of the Midlands Regional Alliance Premier Division in England. During his decade at the Brandywell, Molloy won seven domestic cups — two FAI Cups and five League of Ireland Cups.

LINFIELD have offered winger Joel Cooper a new contract amid interest in the 24-year-old from cross-channel clubs.

League One sides Oxford United and Shrewsbury Town have been linked with summer moves for the former Glenavon ace, while the Blues’ Premiership rivals Larne are watching developments.

But boss David Healy is determined to hold onto the man who has helped his side storm to back to back titles.

Cooper, who has one year left on his contract, has netted 11 goals and delivered 13 assists in 33 appearances this term and has been one of the best players in the Premiership.

Former Northern Ireland boss Michael O’neill called Cooper and Paul Smyth into his Euro 2016 training camp to offer both experience.

Linfield ace Smyth later left or QPR and is now a senior international while Cooper, who didn’t seal a big move, is still hoping to realise that dream.

Oxford in particular are admirers of Irish League talent, swooping for Gavin Whyte and Mark Sykes in recent seasons.

If Cooper (right) does leave Windsor Park, Linfield may step up their interest in Glenavon winger Josh Daniels.

The Lurgan Blues, who have signed winger Peter Campbell from Loughgall, know Daniels is a wanted man with Linfield, Glentoran, Coleraine and his former team Derry City, as well as English Football League clubs, pondering a move.

Glenavon chairman Adrian Teer says the 24-year-old still has ambitions of making it in the full-time game.

“There is media speculation but it’s sometimes unfounded,” he said.

“There has been no approach from any club to speak to Josh Daniels. His contract is up at the end of next season.

“He remains a Glenavon player and we’ve had no enquiries about him.

“The ball’s in Josh’s court, given his contract situation and that’s football.

“He will be with us next season unless there are developments. Josh is a talented lad and a player with ambitions of playing full-time football.”

Ards, meanwhile, are hoping Linfield will let their talented teenager Jake Corbett join them in a loan deal.

Corbett played for Ards boss John Bailie’s Co Down side at the Supercupni tournament.