Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FIFA’S NEW DOC ANDY MASSEY SORRY TO BE LEAVING LIVERPOOL TOUGH TESTS AWAIT LAST 4
THERE was no avoiding a Belfast derby in the semi-finals of the Intermediate Cup – the question was which two of the three teams from the city were going to be paired together at last night’s draw at the National Stadium, Windsor Park.
As it was, Belfast Celtic and Newington were the first two drawn out of the bowl by representatives of the trophy sponsors (inset) Caroline Mccomb, Mccomb’s Coach Travel, and Ronnie Haughey, Match On Tuesday, leaving St James Swifts to face Dollingstown.
Both Belfast Celtic and Newington came through testing ties at the weekend, Celtic winning a nine-goal thriller at Moyola, while an extra-time goal by MOM Anthony Mcgonnell saw off Immaculata.
Meanwhile, Dollingstown and St James Swifts eased past Newbuildings United and Dromara Village with respective 3-0 and 4-0 victories.
Dates and venues for the last four ties have yet to be confirmed.
FOOTBALL has moved swiftly to minimise the impact of coronavirus on the game here.
The Irish FA and NIFL last night announced the formation of a response group to co-ordinate its handling of the outbreak.
And the Mid-ulster Football League has stood down a number of clubs who were directly impacted by Covid-19 at the weekend.
After a player from Hanover’s second team produced a presumptive positive result, the Portadown club’s games were called off for the upcoming fortnight.
That was the same for Coagh United, who the player was up against on Saturday, as well as Crewe United who had played Hanover’s first team.
And last night, the Northern Ireland Football League announced it was taking action to spearhead its own response to the crisis which has resulted in 12 positive tests in Northern Ireland since last week.
A spokesman said: “The Irish FA, in collaboration with NIFL, has set up a response group in light of the coronavirus outbreak. Through the response group we aim to offer a joint approach to ensure consistent and co-ordinated messaging to clubs, players, match officials, supporters, staff and other key stakeholders potentially affected by the escalation of the outbreak.
“Together with the Irish FA we will co-ordinate the game’s response to the challenges posed by the coronavirus outbreak in a responsible and planned manner.
“We will obviously update clubs and fans on any developments.”
Meanwhile, Mid-ulster club Tandragee Rovers last night issued a statement that a player from their senior team had tested positive for Covid-19.
The player concerned had been in contact with a person who had tested positive over the weekend and took steps to self-isolate while awaiting the outcome of tests.
The club have been in contact with the Public Health Authority and Mid-ulster League officials and have taken all precautionary measures which include cancelling all training and postponing fixtures for two weeks.