Irish Cup - Final | Ballymena V Glentoran

Words: Nigel Tilson

R O B B I E M c D A I D

M A R K S M A N

Talismanic striker Robbie McDaid has been on fire during Glentoran’s Irish Cup campaign this season.

other good chances, but when a game goes to penalties everything goes out the window and it can go either way, and thankfully it went our way,” he said. Alongside that buzz the striker insists he is focused on today’s showpiece game at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park. “It’s great to be into the final of the Irish Cup,

He netted a hat-trick against Queen’s University in the sixth round as well as a penalty in the quarter-finals against Crusaders and another goal during regulation time in Monday’s semi- final against Cliftonville. And he also netted in the nerve-jangling penalty shoot-out against the Reds. Naturally, he would love to get on the

scoresheet again today, but he’s taking nothing for granted against Ballymena United and is not entirely comfortable that in some quarters the Glens are being seen as clear favourites to win the trophy. He said: “Ballymena are a solid team throughout and work really well as a unit. They’ve got a superb manager in David Jeffrey who over the years has been massively

especially for the players and the fans after a tough few months away from sport, but with such a quick turnaround between games there’s no time to relax and our full attention has been on the task in hand,” he revealed. And he added: “I have no doubt our lads will be ready and raring to go. We have worked hard and prepared in all the right ways, leaving no stone unturned.”

When he is in the dressing room prior to today’s match he will be encouraging his team-mates to seize the moment. He revealed: “I’ll be telling the boys to enjoy the day, however the only way you can really enjoy it is by winning the game and the trophy. “Players can go through their entire careers without winning a trophy so when you’ve got the chance to win one then you have to take it.”

successful with both Linfield and Ballymena. “They have also got plenty of attacking threats, so I believe it will be an exciting game for the neutrals.” The striker admits he’s still buzzing following the semi-final win over Cliftonville earlier this week. “I think it was a brilliant game involving two great teams and I really enjoyed it. We probably had the better chances in the game, hitting the post three times and having a couple of

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