Nixon up for Irish Cup but Dundela yet to make decision
DUNDELA manager Colin Nixon says he would relish a shot at Glentoran in this season’s Irish Cup but Wilgar Park chiefs are yet to decide whether to play in the tournament.
The Irish FA have stated that clubs from outside the Danske Bank Premiership who are taking part in the Irish Cup will be able to recommence full training from March 31.
Championship and Premier Intermediate clubs, who have not trained since December, will be given elite status while they are in the competition and the first round will take place on April 27, with the final on May 21.
Championship clubs Queen’s University, Newry City, Institute, H&W Welders and Ards have withdrawn from the competition, disappointed that they weren’t given elite status to play league games.
The Irish FA say all clubs taking part in the competition will receive Covid-19 testing, while participating clubs will be permitted to play friendly matches against other participant clubs subject to the testing programme.
Glentoran legend Nixon, who played in eight Irish Cup finals and bagged six winner’s medals, is due to take his Duns side to The Oval in their Round of 32 tie.
Nixon, the Glens’ record appearance holder with 794 games for the east Belfast giants, says Dundela chiefs are divided on the issue of playing in the Irish Cup.
“There’s different views at the club and I’m expecting further discussion at a committee meeting on Monday,” said Nixon.
“We have to weigh up the cost aspect of it and the preparation.
“It’s a match I would love to be involved in but the club must decide if it’s viable.
“Given the lack of game time we’ve had, if we did beat Glentoran it would be Roy of the Rovers stuff.
“My view is that we didn’t need to be in this situation and it seems unfair.
“When there’s no fairness, it takes some of the magic out of the competition.
“Every club will take due diligence and make a decision but it should never have come to this.”
News of the competition and return to training dates follows the easing of some Covid-19 lockdown restrictions that were announced by the Stormont Assembly on Tuesday.
“The competition has been designated as ‘elite’ and, as such, participating clubs will be afforded elite status for the period of time they remain in the competition,” the IFA said.
“Clubs will be permitted to commence full training under elite protocols from March 31 which will include testing for players and coaching staff.”
The IFA have also advised that first-round matches may be played on an alternative date, not later than Saturday, May 1, with the written agreement of both clubs and the written approval of the Challenge Cup Committee.