Ballymena United v Crusaders

THE VETERAN

Livewire Crusaders winger Paul Heatley insists the result is much more important than the performance when you reach the Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup Final.

And he need look no further back than 12 months ago when Crusaders forced extra time with a last gasp equaliser before breaking Ballymena United hearts with a late, late winner in extra time thanks to super sub Johnny McMurray’s strike. A year on, this season’s showpiece match will see the same two clubs going head-to-head in an attempt to land the biggest cup prize in the country. "When it comes to cup finals, it doesn't really matter about the performance, it's all about the result,” said Heatley, who is aiming to make it a hat-trick of Irish Cup successes during a trophy laden career. The 35-year-old further pointed out: “Massive credit to the two teams for getting to the final. To get to one cup final is fantastic but to go and repeat that this season when you know you're going to be a target in the competition is even more impressive. "It's been really good for both teams and it sets up a really interesting final. Past performances and everything like that goes out the window. It's 90 minutes of football and we know what we have to do to get the right result.” Heatley has no doubt Ballymena United’s players will be focused going in to the encounter at the National Football Stadium. But he added: “We will give it everything we have and make sure we are confident and well prepared. "It's probably down to the individual. It helps having been there before. On a personal note, the nerves might be more calm this time. Other players who maybe haven't been in the game as

long might feel the nerves. The beauty of this experience is that it's come so quickly after last year.” He also believes playing in such a big game can be a good learning curve regardless of the result. The Crues attacking midfielder said: "It will help players in getting used to the big occasions as the squad continues to grow and age. “The manager will have us well drilled. At the end of the day it's a cup final that we've deserved to get to and we'll embrace it.” If the Crues can make it back-to-back Irish Cup Final wins, they will avoid the drama of the end of season European play-offs, qualifying automatically for next season’s Europa Conference League. Heatley added: ”Every player who plays in the Irish League, especially in the top six, knows about Europe. It's something that every player wants to play in. "A few of us have been very blessed to achieve this and the gaffer has been to most countries in Europe by now. It's a great experience. It's an opportunity and a platform to challenge yourself individually and as a group to see how developed you've become and how far you can push yourself on a European stage. "It's so important for any club to achieve and it's no different for us. The gaffer sets the standards for everybody across the board and Europe is certainly on the list. We will do everything we can to make sure we achieve that for next season.” Words Mark McIntosh, The Sun

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