Tennent’s Irish Cup
LURGAN CELTIC boss Collie Malone has expressed his dismay with the football authorities as the club prepares to face Irish Cup semi-finalists Linfield on Saturday without a recognised goalkeeper.
Malone described Celtic's treatment as "beyond belief" and "bizarre" ahead of the biggest day in the club's history. Celtic were refused permission to rearrange a mid-week league game with Larne in a bid to free-up suspended goalkeeper Conor McCorry, who was red-carded in last weekend’s Championship One defeat to Annagh United.
Celtic’s reserve team ‘keeper is nursing a broken wrist and the only other registered goalie at the club is a 16-year-old who has played just one match at adult level. In accordance with Fifa’s rules, special dispensation no longer exists for the signing of goalkeepers outside transfer windows.
Lurgan Celtic officials also appear to have abandoned trying to sign an out-of-contract goalkeeper as they would be ruled ineligible for the Irish Cup. Celtic may be forced to play leading goalscorer Raymond Fitzpatrick in goal on Saturday which would, Malone insisted, make a mockery of this season’s Tennent’s Irish Cup.
Every attempt made by Celtic to play Larne, who were amenable to the request, failed: “Everybody is up in arms,” said Malone, “because other clubs have been able to move fixtures. For some reason, the authorities aren’t allowing the rearranged game with Larne to go ahead.
“We were given reasons, but those reasons have been since blown out of the water: One was a 48-hour 'rule' - where you’re not allowed to play two games in 48 hours. And yet we played two games in 48 hours two seasons ago. We played on the Saturday and on the Monday and that was a directive of the IFA. So it was alright then.
“We went back to Larne and they said they were happy to play us on Wednesday - outside of this 48-hour rule - but that wasn’t enough because we were told the integrity of the game was then at stake."
Malone angrily rejected the assumption promotion hopefuls Lurgan Celtic would have fielded a weakened team against Larne, particularly with their Irish Cup semi-final against Linfield in mind.
“It’s okay for Linfield to use their squad - but I’m not allowed to use my squad in the same way,” blasted Malone.
“There’s no point in signing a bunch of players if I can’t play them. We’re sitting third in the league; the Larne fixture would have been more important to us. We would have to go to Inver Park and try and get the points.
“I can understand being hauled over the coals for fielding a weakened team. But you must give the club the opportunity to see what kind of team they field. They have already had us hung, drawn and quartered because they’re thinking the worst - that I’m going to put out a Mickey Mouse team.
"Where are they coming from? Is it because we’re Celtic? I think it’s totally unfair. They should just let the lad [Conor McCorry] play because he mightn't get another chance in his career to play in an Irish Cup semi-final."
The NIFL was contacted on Wednesday night, but they were unavailable for comment.
