Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland – nothing spectacular, as usual. Distillery Lisburn finished last after very weak season in which they won only 1 match. But there were was no relegation, so it did not matter how bad Distillery was. The usual battle on the top between Linfield and Glentoran, the favourites hardly concerned with the rest of league.

Linfield lost the race against their city rivals, alhough they excelled defensively – only 15 goals in their net, but they lost 3 matches and consequently, the title. 35 points, however, left the next team in the table 7 points behind.

 

The title stayed in Belfast once again – Glentoran won it, after a splendid campaign: they finished without losing any match – 15 wins and 7 ties. This earned them 37 points, 2 more than Linfield’s record and meant 17th title altogether.

The Cup final opposed Ballymena United to Glenavon Lurgan. Ballymena prevailed 1-0.

Happy winners, Ballymena United. They never won the championship, but it was their 4th Cup and first after 1857-58. Long wait, but they won in particularly strong season – Ballymena was also third in the championship. Well done.