Irish Cup - Semi-Final | Ballymena V Coleraine

Words: Nigel Tilson

J I M E R V I N T H E S K I P P

Ballymena’s veteran captain, Jim Ervin, admits he would love to reach another Irish Cup final – and to win the trophy with the Sky Blues.

In his days at Linfield the 35-year-old won the cup four times, as well as six league titles, however he missed out on a fifth winner’s medal in 2014 when Ballymena were beaten by Glenavon in the decider. He said: “I’d love to reach the final again. At my age you just never know the next time you might get to play in such a showpiece game. “The last time I was involved in an Irish Cup final (in 2014) it was a disappointment for everyone. We lost 2-1 and I went off injured after 22 minutes with a cruciate injury, so to try and put that right would be good.” The Ballymena captain promised he and his team- mates will be up for the cup. David Jeffrey’s side faced Crumlin Star in the sixth round of this year’s Sadler’s Peaky Blinder Irish Cup. The Amateur League Premier Division outfit proved to be tricky opposition at the Showgrounds, but Ballymena eventually prevailed thanks to two second half goals. The Braidmen carved out several chances in the opening 45 minutes, however Star bossed things just after the break. On 66 minutes the home side broke the deadlock when substitute Declan Carville met a Ross Lavery corner and headed the ball home off the underside of the bar. Star piled on the pressure in the closing stages before Ballymena extended their lead in added time, Carville teeing up Cathair Friel for a close range finish. It was another tight affair in the sixth round, this time against fellow Danske Bank Premiership side Warrenpoint Town. A brawl marred the closing stages of the game at Milltown. The melee erupted after Andy McGrory netted the winner late on. THE STORY SO FAR

He said: “We will be as best prepared as possible for the semi-final game. Circumstances aren’t great going into such a big game but saying that it’s the same for all four teams so we get on with it. “The boss, Bryan and the rest of the coaching staff will have us in the best possible condition we can be in - and we will go and give it everything we have.” Ervin knows it will be a tough task to get past the Bannsiders. “They have quality players all over the pitch,” he said. “They play a particular way under Oran and he seems to get the best out of every player, so we expect a very difficult game. Like most of the derby games it will be frantic but also entertaining no doubt.” Warrenpoint’s Brandon Doyle opened the scoring just after half-time before Kyle Owens equalised with a header before McGrory sealed a 2-1 victory for the Sky Blues. David Jeffrey got the better of good friend Harry McConkey when they crossed swords in the last eight at Ferney Park in Fermanagh. The Sky Blues edged out Championship side Ballinamallard United, who were Irish Cup runners- up last season, by two goals to nil in muddy conditions. The visitors opened the scoring on 16 minutes when Adam Lecky found Friel down the right and his cross was swept into the net by Josh Kelly. Ballinamallard had a couple of chances before the visitors sealed the win in the 74th minute. Lecky was brought down in the box and Tony Kane stepped up to smash the resulting penalty into the top corner.

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