Ballymena United v Crusaders

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S WELCOME

As I sat down to write these programme notes, it occurred to me that in many ways I could have simply taken a copy of last year’s piece for the programme, made a quick update to reflect the added year since 2022 and submitted largely the same words to the editor with the hope he would not notice. But I didn’t!

We are back here at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park again for the Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup Final and it seems nothing has changed since last year (except for the fact that we are staging the final on a Sunday for the first time due to the coronation of King Charles III yesterday). Ballymena United and Crusaders have again emerged triumphant from among the 126 teams who entered the Irish Cup at the start of the season to contest the final for a second year in succession. Given the myriad of permutations affecting the draw over multiple rounds, teams being in and out of form and other factors, the odds of last year’s finalists battling through to be the final two contestants again this year must be significant. Cup finals are all about high emotion and a look back at last year’s final helps us to understand this. The Sky Blues led from the ninth minute and must have been dreaming of the final whistle and lifting the trophy when Crusaders carved out an added time equaliser to stop the party. And not just any equaliser. Crusaders goalkeeper Jonny Tuffey, who had experienced Irish Cup heartache when he was red-carded in the penalty shootout of the previous year’s semi-final, headed forward for a last minute corner and managed to set up Josh Robinson for the goal which brought extra time.

Even then the drama wasn’t over. When most of us were settling in for a penalty shootout, Johnny McMurray had other ideas as he scored the winner for the Crues in added time within extra time! If you’re a Ballymena player, coach or supporter you will probably still be wondering how you didn’t take the trophy back up the road last year. Conversely if you’re from the Crues you probably still can’t believe you pulled it off against all the odds. The BBC captured the final whistle embrace between Stephen Baxter and David Jeffrey and that footage says it all without a word: friendship, rivalry, respect and, of course, emotion. What will it be this time? Braidmen revenge or Hatchetmen maintaining their recent great form in the Irish Cup? No-one knows yet how it will pan out and that, of course, is the beauty, mystery and everlasting fascination with the Irish Cup. Whoever you follow, enjoy the match today!

Patrick Nelson Chief Executive Irish Football Association

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