Irish Cup Final 2022

D A V I D J E F F R E Y

M A N A G E R

David Jeffrey has promised not to do any Usain Bolt impersonations if Ballymena United manage to beat Crusaders to the line in today’s Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup final.

“There’s no doubt about it, we will be underdogs, and that’s not playing mind games or anything like that. You only have to look at the facts,” he said. He pointed out Crusaders have a lot of excellent players, including the likes of Adam Lecky, Jude Winchester and Jonathan McMurray who are all ex-Ballymena United players. Jeffrey continued: “They have been on a fantastic run of form in recent months and they’ll probably be frustrated that they weren’t in there challenging for the league. “But their performances have been highly impressive and, as it is for us, it will be a big motivation to them to secure European qualification by winning the Irish Cup.” While the Irish Cup proved elusive to Jeffrey as a player, he lifted the trophy seven times as Linfield boss - in 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012. He also led Ballymena to the 2020 showpiece, only to lose 2-1 to Glentoran after extra time. The game was played in front of only 500 spectators due to Covid-19 constraints. “The Irish Cup, ironically, was never really kind to me as a player,” said Jeffrey. “I think I only played in two finals for Linfield and the infamous trilogy of finals for Ards against Bangor. “I never enjoyed any success as a player, but was very fortunate and blessed to lift the trophy seven times during my time as manager of Linfield. “It is always a privilege to be in an Irish Cup final and given that I will be 60 in October, God willing, I don’t know howmany more opportunities I will get. It would be magical if we managed to bring the Irish Cup back to Ballymena. It would be immense, absolutely immense.”

The Sky Blues boss tweaked a hamstring while darting up the touchline during a 2-0 win over the Shore Road men in the Danske Bank Premiership in November. And the 59-year-old doesn’t plan a similar celebration if his players manage to deliver the Braid club’s first Irish Cup in 33 years at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park. “I took off like an ageing Usain Bolt after our second goal and I can assure you that I won’t be attempting that ever again,” smiled Jeffrey. “I felt a ping after 10 yards and thankfully it wasn’t a torn hamstring, but if you had seen the state of me trying to walk back to the dugout, well, it was embarrassing. “I can promise you that if any celebrations have to be called upon, they will be becoming of a gentleman who, God willing, will be 60 on his next birthday.” While Jeffrey embraced talk of potential celebrations with a throaty chuckle, he also knows United are heading into today’s showpiece as firm underdogs. Crusaders finished fourth in the NIFL Premiership, ended the season with a keen sense of momentum and are odds-on favourites with the bookies.

Words Darren Fullerton, Daily Mirror

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