Irish Cup Final 2022

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

On behalf of the Irish Football Association may I welcome the players, officials and supporters of Ballymena United and Crusaders to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.

to Irish Cup final victories on two occasions. There is also the prospect of European football at stake so both men will be even more highly motivated than usual today. I should like to thank the Irish Challenge Cup Committee and Irish FA staff, led by Andrew Johnston, for their hard work throughout the season which brings us to this special occasion today. My thanks also goes to our sponsors – Samuel Gelston’s Irish Whiskey – for their kind patronage of the Irish Cup. It is fitting that the Samuel Gelston name, which has a great deal of history going back to the 1830s, should be associated with this competition which dates from the 1880-81 season. The two clubs’ chairmen, John Taggart (Ballymena United) and Ronnie Millar (Crusaders), have both made me most welcome at their grounds this season and I wish both well today. Most importantly I hope that the game is a great spectacle played in the best possible spirit by players cheered on by great supporters. I hope you all enjoy today’s game.

Of course, the Irish Cup Final is a game which attracts interest beyond the support of the two participants and I therefore also welcome the neutrals who have come along to enjoy the spectacle which is the premier cup competition match in Northern Ireland football. It has been a long road since the first Preliminary Round One game was played between Ballynure OB and Seagoe on 7 August. Along the way I have had the pleasure of attending some of the games, including ties at Carrick Rangers, Cliftonville and Ballymena United. For me the excitement of the competition builds dramatically in Round One when intermediate clubs have the chance to pit themselves against more senior opposition. None of the non Northern Ireland Football League clubs made it to Round Two this year but Ards Rangers, Islandmagee, Windmill Stars and Oxford Sunnyside will have enjoyed the experience nonetheless. It will have left themwith memories which will become a part of their club folklore. Ballymena United last added their name to the Irish Cup in 1989 when they defeated Larne, while Crusaders will be looking to emulate a more recent success, the 2019 final when they defeated Ballinamallard United 3-0. Jordan Owens, Philip Lowry and Ross Clarke scored the goals that day. Neither manager is any stranger to cup final success, of course. As a manager David Jeffrey has led teams to an Irish Cup triumph on seven occasions, with Stephen Baxter leading the Crues

Conrad Kirkwood Irish FA President

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