AS Belfast dines in spring sunshine, how appropriate that Cliftonville and Glentoran dream of balmy summer days on the continent.
Passports at the ready, it’s last orders at the bar as two of Belfast’s heavyweights compete for the final European spot when they contest the Europa Conference League Play-Off final at the Oval this evening.
Hosts Glentoran must have barely believed their luck on Wednesday night.
Glenavon, unbeaten in 10 games and unbeaten against Rodney McAree’s side all season, offered little resistance as the Glens ran amok, winning 5-0.
Proven stars like Conor McMenamin and the Donnelly brothers – Jay and Rory – got in on the action with a goal apiece.
Gary Hamilton’s Lurgan Blues were brutally dissected, highlighting the gulf in class between the top six and the best of the rest.
The Glens will be looking ahead to this evening’s fixture with a renewed sense of confidence but with a wariness of being bitten by a Reds outfit that has hurt them many times in the past.
The north Belfast side have beaten Glentoran three times in previous play-off finals.
Boss McAree will also be acutely aware of last year’s final when the east Belfast side threw away a 2-0 lead against Larne, losing to the Invermen 4-2 after extra-time.
If that wasn’t bad enough to give the ex-Dungannon Swifts manager nightmares, the fact that the scorer of all four goals that night for Larne – Ronan Hale – will be facing his side in a Cliftonville shirt, will.
For the Reds, they overcame Coleraine on Wednesday night.
After a strong opening 20 minutes which saw them lead 2-0 courtesy of goals from Ryan Curran and Ronan Doherty, Coleraine pulled one back through Matthew Shevlin and the panic stations of the last few weeks almost set in again for Declan O’Hara’s charges.
Cliftonville will not fear travelling to the Oval to play opponents they have defeated in three of their four previous encounters this season, including a 1-0 victory in the east of the city back in November.
Whereas Glentoran have been peaking at just the right time during April and May, Cliftonville have stuttered and struggled for form.
It would appear that the Reds need to score first to build their confidence up if they are to dine at the European table next season.
If they are to be victorious, they will have to do it without influential attacker Rory Hale – Ronan’s brother – who is serving the second of a two-game ban.
Both sides are acutely aware of the financial benefits of Europe.
For Cliftonville, moving closer to a full-time model next year brings with it benefits but also greater resources required for wages and new players.
For Glentoran, they have invested heavily through owner Ali Pour and if they want more big names like Niall McGinn – who arrived in January – they will have to raise some much needed capital themselves.
Form would suggest that the Glens have the upper hand going into this evening’s fixture, but history may also play its part and Cliftonville have the upper hand in that regard. Fans look to be in for a treat.
In a note to fans, kick-off time has been brought forward one hour from 5.30pm to 4.30pm with the agreement of both clubs.
