MATCH 2078 - Wednesday 12 August 2026

SEASON 2026/27

FRIENDLY

Venue:  CROKE PARK

MANCHESTER UNITED  1  LEEDS UNITED  1

Scorers: Zirkzee;  Aaronson

Attendance: 82,300

I travelled to Dublin purely to see a football match at the iconic Croke Park which traditionally is exclusive to GAA games of hurling and Gaelic football.

The chance to see it with Manchester United was too good an opportunity not to and it didn't disappoint.

Not much to look at outside ground but inside its presence is breathe taking.  It's a monster of a stadium, holding 82,000 which was full for this pre-season friendly between two of England's top clubs.

The 82,000 crowd mainly made up of Irish Man U fans but on every leg of my journey from Glasgow Airport on Wednesday morning to Dublin Airport on Thursday morning all I encountered were groups of Leeds fans heading to and from Ireland's capital.

The Leeds/Man Utd rivalry is one of the most fierce in football but there was absolutely no trouble as the game was played in a wonderfully friendly atmosphere.

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• My 10th match in Ireland in Dublin,(7) Cork, Dundalk, Derry
• My 87th time seeing Man United
• My 6th time seeing Leeds United

My pictures from Croke Park:

Leeds legend, Eddie Gray

My first view

MATCH 1880 - Thursday 21 July 2022

Season 2022/23

Qualifying Round 1st Leg

Venue: FIR PARK 

MOTHERWELL  0  SLIGO ROVERS  1

Scorer:  Keena

Att: 7,227

European football comes to Fir Park with little Sligo Rovers from the north-west of Ireland the opposition.  Motherwell struggle to get going in their first competitive match of the new season.  While Sligo are well into their league programme.  Rovers star striker scores a well taken goal in the first half to cause an upset and take a lead into the second leg.

Some personal stats:

• My 50th match at Fir Park
• 4th time attending a Motherwell match in Europe
• 2nd time seeing Sligo Rovers

MATCH 1748 - Sunday 20 May 2018

SEASON  2017/18

SCOTT BROWN TESTIMONIAL

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC  2  IRELAND  2

Scorers: Griffiths, Roberts;  Browne, O'Dowda

Scott Brown signed from Hibs in the summer of 2007 is given this testimonial match to celebrate his great Celtic career.

Henrik Larsson makes a very welcome return

MATCH 1703 - Wednesday 19 July 2017

 SEASON  2017/18

Qualifying Rounds 2nd Leg

CELTIC  4  LINFIELD  0

Scorers: Sinclair(2), Rogic, Armstrong

Celtic faced a new foe in Linfield from the dark side of Ireland.  Leading 2-0 from the first leg Celtic increase the aggregate score to 6-0 to progress to the next qualifying round of European football premier competition.

MATCH 1516 - Tuesday, 23rd July 2013

SEASON: 2013/14
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFYING ROUND 2nd LEG
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    2    CLIFTONVILLE    0

Scorers: Ambrose, Samaras

 

Start of a new season and straight into Champions League action.  Although having secured a first leg lead of 3-0 the 2nd leg was a formality.  Two headed goals - one in each half - ensured a convincing aggregate score of 5-0.

The noisy visitors from Belfast enjoyed their first trip to Celtic Park outsinging the home fans all night.