Ballymena United v Crusaders

THE CAPTAIN

Ballymena United captain Josh Kelly insists history and the scars of last-gasp heartache will have no bearing on today’s Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup final with Crusaders.

Kelly, who will lead the Braidmen out at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, has endured his fair share of showpiece sorrow in sky blue since joining the Showgrounds club from Ards in 2019. The 24-year-old was a late substitute as Ballymena fell to a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Cliftonville - who scored two injury time goals - in the 2020 County Antrim Shield final. And he also started the 2020 and 2022 Irish Cup finals which were lost in extra time to Glentoran and the Crues, last year’s defeat to today’s opponents the most heartbreaking of all. United, who last lifted the cup in 1989, were seconds away from glory only for late goals from Josh Robinson and Johnny McMurray in normal and extra time to turn the tie on its head. “It’s fair to say that cup final appearances haven’t been too kind to me so far in a Ballymena shirt,” said Kelly. “There have been a few heartbreaks along the way and last year’s defeat to Crusaders was similar to the Shield final defeat to Cliftonville. “We actually turned up performance-wise in all three of my previous finals. Unfortunately things didn’t go for us, but hopefully that will change this year.” While the stinging memory of last year’s defeat to Crusaders lingers, Kelly insists it hasn’t been the driving force behind this year’s cup run. “Last year was soul destroying but there has been a big emphasis in our changing room not to look back at what happened last year,” he said.

“It’s the same two clubs going head-to-head again and the media will want to focus on last year’s final and talk of revenge, but we’re not thinking that way. “All that talk has been quashed by David (Jeffrey) and the players. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter who the opposition are, it’s about us. Our only aim is to try to lift the cup for Ballymena.” While Crusaders are favourites to win the trophy for a second successive year, United have taken a lot of belief from their 2-0 semi-final win over newly-crowned league champions Larne. “We are definitely underdogs, but the fact we’ve had a good run in the cup and beat Larne in the semis, we should take confidence from that,” said Kelly, who is relishing the prospect of wearing the captain’s armband on the biggest day of the local football calendar. “It has been a massive honour to captain Ballymena this season, but to do it in an Irish Cup final will be extra special for me and my family,” he said. “It’ll be a very proud moment for me but while the final is always a really special occasion I think it’s important that we put all of that to one side. “I’ve tried to ignore all the outside noise. It’s about concentrating on 90 or 120 minutes of football and trying to get a big result across the line.” Words Darren Fullerton

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