IFA Programme 2016

SAN MARINO AGAINST NORTHERN IRELAND San Marino have played twice against Northern Ireland, with both matches in the WC 2010 qualifiers. At Windsor Park in October 2008 manager Nigel Worthington’s charges won 4-0 with goals from David Healy (31 mins), Grant McCann (43), Kyle Lafferty (56) and Steven Davis (75) in front of an attendance of 12,957. It was Northern Ireland’s first win in the qualifying campaign following two away defeats against Slovenia (2-0) and Slovakia (2-1) and a scoreless draw with the Czech Republic at Windsor Park. San Marino, ranked 200th in the world, held out until the 30th minute when David Healy netted his 35th international goal after good play by George McCartney and Grant McCann. On 43 minutes Healy turned provider as McCann shot home from 18 yards, and on 56 minutes Kyle Lafferty added a third from close range after the San Marino keeper Federico Valentini failed to hold a David Healy drive. San Marino were reduced to 10 men after defender Mauro Marani was sent off for raising his hands to Michael O’Connor, and Steven Davis converted a cross from Kyle Lafferty on 75 minutes. The return match in February 2009 went ahead after a pitch inspection following a torrential downpour. In front of 1,942 rain-drenched spectators the visitors opened the scoring on six minutes when Gareth McAuley powered home a delightful half-volley from Grant McCann’s left- footed corner. The visitors dominated but had to wait until the 33rd minute for their second when Grant McCann curled the ball home into the top corner of the net. A McCann free-kick hit the bar just after the hour and on 63 minutes Chris Brunt completed the scoring when he curled a left foot drive from a free-kick past a hapless keeper into the net. As in the first game San Marino were reduced to 10 men after the volatile Manuel Marani was shown the red card on 69 minutes.

Juvenes/Dogana and also San Marino Calcio, who play in the Italian league system in Serie D. There has been a league championship in San Marino since 1985-86. The championship in its present form began in 1996. There are 15 clubs (all amateur), divided into two sections of seven and eight clubs, and the champions are decided by a series of play-off matches involving the top three in each section. Winners last season were Tre Penne (Three Feathers) under coach Marco Protti. The national cup, known as the Coppa Titano, after the largest mountain in the country, was won last season by La Fiorita who defeated Pennarossa in the final 2-0. Scorer of the first goal was veteran striker Andy Selva. As well as the 15 league clubs, San Marino Calcio, founded in 1960 by the San Marino Football Federation, play in Serie D, the fourth level of Italian league football. In this season's Champions League first qualifying round Tre Penne were defeated 2-1 away and 3-0 at home by Welsh side The New Saints. In the first qualifying round of the Europa League cup winners La Fiorita were defeated 5-0 at home by Debrecen (Hungary) and 2-0 away. Third placed league team Folgore lost 3-0 away and 3-1 at home to AEK Larnaca (Cyprus).

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