Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland. Ranked 28th. Dramatic battle for the title between two teams – the rest well bellow and out of it – ending with historic victory. 3 points for a win. Still the top league was closed one – or rather semiclosed: no relegation and no direct promotion, but a club could join it if elected: two clubs were elected at the end of the season – Ballyclare Comrades and Omagh Town – to play in the next season, thus the league was enlarged from 14 to 16 teams. But that for 1990-91 season.
Not a bad season for Ballymena United – 5th with 43 points. Standing from left: Alex McKee (Manager), Davy Smyth, John Heron, Joe McErlean, Paul Hardy, John Garrett, Stephen Young, Willie Cully (Physio), Joss Arbuthnott (Physio), Billy McCready (Physio). Front row: Paul Gribben, John McKee, Ian Hamilton, Michael Smyth, Dessie Loughery, Kevin O’Neill, Lindsay Curry.
Weak and disappointing Linfield – 4th with 44 points.
Glentoran clinched 3rd place, prevailing on record over Linfield – both teams finished with 44 points – but that was the only satisfaction: like their rivals, Glentoran was not a title contender.
Glenavon and Portadown fought to the end for the first place – both teams were much stronger than the rest of the league, but equality cannot exist, so 1 point separated winners and losers.
Glenavon was unfortunate: 2nd with 52 points. They outscored the competition by 10 goals, but still lost.
In the grand scheme, it was fine that Glenavon lost – they won trophies in the past. Portadown did not. Fine form fueled by ambition clinched the title: 16 wins, 7 ties, 3 losses, 42-17, and 55 points. One point more than Glenavon and for the first time Portadown won the Northern Ireland championship. Historic moment and great joy. A season to remember for ever.
It was not just winning the championship – Portadown reached the Cup final too and had a great chance not only to win a trophy, but a double. But it was not to be… they faced Glentoran, determined to save the season and Portadown lost 0-3.
Thus, Glentoran took revenge for the weak championship and ended with a trophy in their hands. Their 15th Cup – a good, solid number.