A comical goal, question marks over Fuad Sule’s presence while suspended and an opening day defeat – the Glentoran soap opera is back.
Glens boss Declan Devine cut a frustrated figure as Crusaders kicked off the Premiership season with a 1-0 victory at the BetMcLean Oval.
Kieran Offord, the on loan signing from St Mirren, took advantage of some crazy defending on 22 minutes to slot in the winner.
It was a sweet victory for Declan Caddell, in charge of the Shore Road side for the first time after Stephen Baxter’s official duties in Europe.
But there were more Glentoran groans as a killer touch in the final third proved elusive.
Then there’s the questions around Sule.
The 27-year-old was sent off in the European playoff semi-final against Coleraine after picking up two bookings.
A suspension requires a ban on entering the tunnel area, field of play and immediate vicinity of field of play. Contact is not allowed with players.
The former Larne man was seen in the tunnel area and was on the pitch with other players before kick off.
If any player does not play in a match but still breaches the terms of his suspension, his club is likely to be hit with a fine. Both the NI Football League and Crusaders are aware of the issue.
Declan Caddell celebrates his first victory as Crusaders manager
It didn’t take long for the first Irish League blunder to surface if it transpires Glentoran made an error.
Given the wind of change that has shook the Oval this summer it was no surprise to see four debutants in the home side.
Goalkeeper Daniel Gyollai, Frankie Hvid, Dylan Connolly and Wassim Aouachria were on from the start with Sule banned.
Caddell also had four fresh faces in former Glens ace Jordan Stewart, Jacob Blaney, Offord and Lewis Franklin.
With Glens owner Ali Pour looking on as the upbeat pre match music blasted into the stadium, the fans rose to their feet with the traditional opening day optimism.
Or should that be cautious optimism given the Glens’ familiarly with broken dreams.
Before the game there was a minute’s silence in tribute to former Glentoran player and manager Tommy Cassidy and referee Peter McGrath, a poignant reminder of football’s importance no matter how much we adore it.
For the Glens off field issues can be as challenging as on field ones.
The Crues fans couldn’t access the Railway Stand due to health and safety concerns.
Even in the early evening sunshine and at the dawn of a new season, parts of this famous ground are a depressing sight, a monument to political failure.
Glentoran’s Dylan Connolly with Crusaders Jarlath O’Rourke
Both these teams have been in rebuilding mode with Caddell taking charge of his first Premiership contest.
It was the hosts who started brighter with Niall McGinn’s drive flashing wide and David Fisher’s effort struck with power but straight at keeper Jonny Tuffey.
But on 22 minutes the visitors went in front aided by some comical and calamitous defending.
Offord intercepted Gyollia’s attempted clearance and Harry Murphy failed to clear the loose ball allowing the striker to stroke the ball into the empty net.
The stunned Glens attempted to hit back but Philip Lowry knocked Aouachria’s header off the line.
Devine sent Charlie Lindsay on for Murphy at the break, urging his boys to attack the men in black.
Lindsay did just that, aiming a powerful effort over the crossbar after a sparkling attack.
But it remained an evenly contested affair with Franklin screwing his shot wide for the Crues.
The Glens were occasionally sloppy and when Franklin nicked the ball off Hvid they should have been punished but Gollyai made the save.
Cameron Palmer and Jordan Jenkins were introduced and the Glens found a spark without causing the Crues too much stress.
Jenkins looked lively but it was Offord, on his Irish League debut, who struck the decisive blow.
Glentoran: Gyollai, Hvid, McClean, Connolly (Boyd 88), Donnelly (Palmer 63), Aouachria (Jenkins 63), McGinn, Murphy (Lindsay 45), Fisher, Kelly, Singleton. Subs not used: Mills, Farley, Douglas.
Crusaders: Tuffey, Weir, Lowry, Stewart (Nixon 73), Blaney (Jewitt-Whyte 91), Forsythe, O’Rourke, Offord, Larmour, Franklin (Owens 78), Barr. Subs not used: Mashal, Vance, Donnelly, James.
Referee: Ian McNabb (Newtownabbey)
Man of match: Kieran Offord
Match rating: 7/10.
BelTel Sport: Can anyone stop Irish League champions Larne from winning the Gibson Cup for a third season in a row?
A bizarre first half goal from Kieran Offord has settled the opening game of the Premiership season as Declan Caddell makes a winning start to life as Crusaders boss. It was a poor game, and a particularly disappointing performance from Declan Devine’s Glentoran.
Charlie Lindsay put a clever ball into the box, only for Lewis Barr to block an attempted overhead kick. Jordan Jenkins tucked home the loose ball, but the whistle had already gone.
Glentoran are living dangerously here.