Newry City boss Darren Mullen insists the pressure is all on Ballymena United in tonight’s Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup semi-final at Mourneview Park.
The game has been marred by controversy since March 5 after Glentoran were found guilty of fielding an ineligible player, Joe Crowe, in the quarter-final (1-0) home win over Newry. It duly led to the Glens dismissal.
Mullen’s men had to wait until the Glens appeal was thrown out by the IFA before it was axed at arbitration level.
Read more: Glentoran lose arbitration case over Irish Cup expulsion
It’s the start of a big four days for City. Not only have they the chance to reach the Irish Cup final against Crusaders next month, but they will be presented with the Lough 21 Championship trophy following their final game of the campaign against Dergview on Saturday.
“We can go into this tie with no pressure on us,” said Mullen. “Our priority was always going to be the League title. Even though Annagh United can still finish level on points with us, we have a goal swing of plus-13.
“It means we can now focus on this cup game. It’s a great opportunity for us to reach an Irish Cup final, albeit we will be big underdogs and rightly so because Ballymena United are a good side.
“We know all about Ballymena from our time in the Premiership, we always had tough games against them. We’ve had them watched and we have viewed footage of some of their games.
“I know David (Jeffrey) was down at one of our games and he has had ‘eyes’ at some of our other matches, so they also have done their homework. We have prepared the best we can and, hopefully, we can do ourselves justice.
“The lads have done really well and we have proved already this season against Premiership clubs that we are good enough to be at that level.
“Anything can happen in football, especially in a one-off game. We’ll go into it in the frame of mind that we have a chance to win it.”
Mullen believes Newry have the players that can hurt Jeffrey’s (inset) side.
He added: “They will relish the prospect of appearing in an Irish Cup semi-final.
“Some of our younger boys have flourished this season, Jamie Teelan, John McGovern, Lorcan Forde and Brian Healy.
“When you play at that age, sometimes it can be overwhelming. But they are playing with no fear whatsoever.
“We, as a club, have confidence in their ability – we have allowed them to flourish.
“I really hope they can do themselves justice. That last thing we want is to reach this stage and not perform and look at it as a missed opportunity.”
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