Crusaders captain Billy Joe Burns believes Stephen Baxter’s men deserve to be in an Irish Cup final after being on the end of a “few dodgy calls” in high profile games last season.
A controversial penalty shootout defeat saw the Shore Road club bow out to Larne at the semi-final stage of last year’s blue riband competition.
And another shootout error, when a spot-kick was ruled out despite clearly bouncing over the line, also cost them a place in last season’s European playoff final.
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Painful memories but now all in the distant past after the Crues booked their place in next month’s Irish Cup showpiece with Friday night’s 2-1 semi-final win over Cliftonville.
Burns, who forced home the winner just before the break, said: “In the last couple of years there have been a few dodgy calls and the penalties last year.. I think we deserve this.
“This will be my fifth final and there were a couple of years when we didn’t get any luck in the semi-finals.
“It’s just great to be in a final again. I’m getting to the stage in my career when I can’t take these for granted. Every final you get to, you have to enjoy because it could easily be your last.”
The joy etched on Baxter’s face on the final whistle was a far cry from the anger and frustration following last season’s shootout defeat to Larne at Mourneview Park.
In one of the most surreal moments in the 141-year history of the Irish Cup, Crues keeper Jonny Tuffey was red carded after being adjudged to have left his line to save three spot-kicks.
The former Northern Ireland keeper was replaced in goal by Burns and Larne went on to win the shootout to progress to the final which they lost 2-1 to Linfield at the same venue.
Asked if last season’s semi-final experience helped motivate the Crues at Windsor Park, Burns said: “You can’t look back but I do think we were due a wee bit of good fortune.
“It was maybe a wee bit of justice for the team and Jonny Tuffey personally. He’s been magnificent for us all season and gotten better and better as the season has gone on."
Joe Gormley had fired Cliftonville into an early lead before Ross Clarke equalised and the Crues won it with a scrappy goal in first half stoppage time.
Ben Kennedy’s corner was flicked on by Clarke and the ball ended up in the net off a combination of Reds defender Luke Turner and the lurking Burns.
“It was definitely my goal,” smiled Burns, who lifted the Irish Cup with the Crues in 2019 and former club Linfield in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
“We were in a tussle and the ball hit me on the back of the heel and went in. Some of the boys were saying it was an own goal but I’m saying it was my goal.”
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