Setanta Cup - Getting to know Linfield
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Setanta Cup – Getting to Know Linfield
Brief History
Linfield Football club was founded in March 1886 by workers of the Linfield Spinning Mill and was originally known as the Linfield Athletic Club. They were one of the founding clubs of the Irish League and won their first championship in the 1890/91 season. They have since went on to win a record 51 championships and have played at Windsor Park since 1904.
Honours
League Championships 51, Irish Cups 42, League Cups 9
The Season so far
By their own extremely high standards this has been somewhat of a disappointing season for the Blues as they sit third in the league, fourteen points behind leaders Cliftonville, and knocked out of the Irish Cup by Crusaders. A slow start in the league has picked up of late and has seen them unbeaten in their last fifteen league outings but looks to have come too late to retain their crown.
Setanta Cup History
Linfield won the inaugural Setanta Cup in 2005 defeating Shelbourne 2-0 in Tolka Park in the final. The next year they were semi-finalists before being beaten in the final on penalties by Drogheda United in Windsor Park. In 2008 they exited at the group stage before being semi-finalists again in 2009. In 2011 they were knocked out in the first round and were beaten by Derry City in last year’s quarter finals.
Manager
David Jeffreys. Many in the North will point to the deal that Linfield have with the IFA over Windsor Park as giving them an unfair financial advantage but Jeffreys’ ability to continually motivate his side to pick up six domestic doubles in the last seven years is testament to the man’s great managerial skills. Simply put one of the best managers this island has produced.
One to Watch
Matthew Tipton. The former Dundalk striker took some time to settle at Linfield but has recently discovered the form that seen him score 25 goals for Portadown last season.
Special Mention: Niall Quinn. Young defender with great set piece delivery.
