Irish Cup Final 2022

B E N K E N N E D Y

Ben Kennedy is determined to make it a hat-trick of family members to win an Irish Cup winner’s medal this afternoon.

The classy Crusaders star is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his dad Brian and uncle John, who both got their hands on the famous trophy in the 1990s. Brian was part of the Glenavon side that defeated Linfield on the biggest day of the Irish League calendar at the Oval in 1992, while John scored the winner for Glentoran against Glenavon six years later. “I ampart of a big footballing family and they have great memories of Irish Cup finals,” said Kennedy. “It’s my first cup final since I was 15 or 16. Some of my family have won the Irish Cup, so it would be really special for me to win it. “It’s 30 years ago this year since my dad won it playing for Glenavon andmy uncle John then won it and scored the only goal of the game for Glentoran. “There’s always a lot of banter with the family askingme if I’ve ever won the Irish Cup but it’s getting boring now - I’mgoing to have to get a winner’s medal so I can throw it back at them.” He revealed several family members will be in the stands this afternoon to cheer himon. “They are all going to be here for the final. I can’t say anything tomy uncle Peter. Even though he didn’t win the Irish Cup, he did play in the Premier League withWatford, and I only played further down the leagues earlier inmy career. “My dad gives me stick all the time but I don’t think he can find his medal, so if I win it I think I’ll have to rub it in his face!” Since joining the Crues fromStevenage in 2020, Kennedy has become a firm fans’ favourite at Seaview. His eye-catching performances, particularly this season, have catapulted him to being one of the stars of the NIFL Premiership.

But it wasn’t plain sailing when he first arrived at the Shore Road club and he has revealedmanager Stephen Baxter and his team-mates have played a huge role in him falling in love with football again. And, perhaps ominously for the rest of the league, he believes there is muchmore to come fromhim in the future but he wants to end this campaign on a high by claiming Irish Cup glory. He revealed: “The boys and the manager have played a big part inme rediscoveringmy love for football again and I’mhappy to have been able to contribute the way I have this season. “I’ve enjoyed it and I’mdoing what I know I can do, but I know I have it inme to go to another level and that is something I’mdetermined to do. “We’ve improved on last season as a team, so let’s hope we can end the season with some silverware. “Declan Caddell is retiring after the game and it would be a good send-off for him if we were able to win the trophy and hopefully we’ll be able to do that.” Kennedy further revealed he loves taking part in big games. “These are the types of games I thrive off. I love big occasions, big atmospheres and big games and hopefully - if selected - I can turn up and help the boys. I’d love to score a goal or two on cup final day. I'd love to score and bring out my guitar celebration again,” he said.

Words Mark McIntosh, The Sun

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