So then, we hit the winter low of no-Bohs. Yep, the League season ended in suitable ramshackle style down at Ridden-Rock-Solidville (aka Cork) on November 9th – where a frankly magnificent own-goal gave the Big Club a 1-0 victory and with it the best of the European trips next summer.
Aye – the Intertoto Cup. “But surely…” I hear you proclaim, “The Intertoto Cup is but the worst of the European competitions on offer for domestic club football”. That may be correct in some quarters – but the utter superbness of the Intertoto can be found in one small detail.
The games take place on Saturday afternoons in June. A weekend fixture in the middle of summer is superb when you have to travel abroad. No need to grovel to the boss for a whole week off – the Friday and Monday on annual leave works out as a much better prospect that taking out double the amount for a trip.
I was in Gent in Belgium for our last foray into European competition – granted I did book off the Wednesday before until the Monday – but that was due to us all heading to Amsterdam for a couple of days before the short hop across the border into Belgium. It was literally two trips in one.
The other great thing about the European trip to somewhere like Belgium – the idiot quotient you normally get at League games is cut drastically – the people you normally get on the away trips into the continent are the proper fans who love nothing better than a few pints (or in our trip to Gent – much much more than a few) and going to support the club.
These trips are one of the highlights about following this great club – and by God, we missed out on Europe last season – we sorely wanted to make it back in.
And we have.
We now await the UEFA draw to be made sometime the other side of Christmas. The good thing about the Intertoto draw as opposed to the “Champions” League and the UEFA Giant Vase is that they do the draw in two stages. Sometime between Christmas and February UEFA publish the draw. But instead of the clubs taking part (as it’s based on League positions and most Leagues involved are still playing at this time) they publish which country will play which country (e.g. Ireland’s representatives will take on Belgium’s representatives). This gives us a rough idea where we will be going – so the plans can be formulated and cheap travel and accomodation booked up.
Then in April UEFA simply complete the formalities by slotting the relevant clubs into the already drawn ties. Simplicity in it’s best form.
Finally on Bohs – I had the absolute pleasure of a run out on the hallowed Dalymount turf on the 18th as I was asked to referee the First Team as they took on the Event and Security Staff. A 13-2 victory for the First Team was secured and a good afternoon was had by all. Hopefully I’ll have some photos of the game winging their way to me via email soon enough…
Away from the Land of eircom – the refereeing in England is progressing nicely. Getting some really good games on the West Midlands and Worcester Leagues – for the first time in a few years I’m actually really enjoying it again.
I’ve also been accepted to attend the USA Cup in Minnesota in July, as well as the usual Norway jaunt (which will be my 10th one). I’ve heard good things about the USA Cup – and the chance to chalk another nation off the list is not something to be passed up.
Finally – I’ve been doing some thinking as to what I want to be doing in 12 months time (prompted by a couple of work colleagues leaving the company to pursue different paths) – let’s just say I’ve got the travel bug again (but not in the conventional way). I’m taking advice and discussing the whole plan in depth with people who have already done what I’m thinking of doing, so I’ll be more than well prepared this time. First hurdle is, pass my driving test…
All I can say about the above is – watch this space…
Next update to follow soonish hopefully,
Goin’ Loco In The Intertoto
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