Ballymena United v Crusaders

Words Greg Braniff (Crusaders Programme Editor)

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Lewis Barr Defender

Rory McKeown Defender

Robbie Weir Midfielder

Philip Lowry Midfielder

Another promising youngster who has been part of the successful Crusaders Reserves side over the past few years. The pacey central defender has been around the first team squad for a couple of seasons now, making 15 appearances.

Joined the club last summer following a spell playing in New Zealand having previously played in Scotland for Kilmarnock, Raith Rovers and Greenock Morton. The former Northern Ireland U21 international scored on his debut in the Charity Shield win over Linfield back in August and has been a mainstay of the Crues defence recently.

Robbie joined the club in January 2021 having previously spent 15 years playing in England with clubs including Tranmere Rovers, Burton Albion and Chesterfield. Robbie started his career with Larne and as a teenager played in the 2005 cup final for The Invermen against Portadown.

Lowry joined the club in the summer of 2016 having previously played for Portadown, Linfield, Derry City and Institute. He has enjoyed a phenomenal season, scoring 20 goals from midfield including one against Dergview in the fifth round and a brace against Bangor in the sixth round. He has made over 250 appearances for the club and has a knack of scoring big goals in the big games, including one in the 2019 final success.

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Ben Kennedy Midfielder

Brandon Doyle Midfielder

Declan Caddell Midfielder

Jordan Forsythe Midfielder

Joined the Crues in the summer of 2020 after a spell playing in England with Stevenage. The former Northern Ireland U21 international was one of the stand-out performers in the Irish League last season with his goals and assists. Unfortunately his season has been ruined by a knee injury sustained at the end of August and, despite a cameo appearance in the sixth round, he will miss today’s game as he continues his recovery.

Pacey winger who rejoined the club in 2021 after a spell with Linfield. In his first spell at Seaview he scored on his debut as a teenager in a County Antrim Shield win over Glentoran at The Oval in 2016. Unfortunately Brandon has missed the entire 2022-23 season due to a serious injury sustained in pre-season.

Came out of retirement to help manager Stephen Baxter during November’s injury crisis and scored a stunning winner in the semi-final win over Dungannon Swifts. Declan has made more than 500 appearances for the club and has won every major honour available. If selected today he will be playing in his sixth Irish Cup Final for Crusaders.

Attacking midfielder who has a knack of scoring spectacular and important goals for Crusaders, Jordan joined the club in 2015 from Bangor and this season reached 300 appearances and also netted his 50th goal for the club. Like his midfield counterpart Phillip Lowry, Jordan has enjoyed an excellent goalscoring season from midfield and scored the only goal in the quarter final win over Glentoran at Seaview.

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