It was supposed to be Seaview…. again but at least this time the winner stays on journey provided a North Belfast derby as entertainment.
Always passionate, sometimes spicy and one of the biggest derbies in the local game. However, sometimes life and diaries don't always take the lure of a derby into account, and a pivot was required for the designated path.
So, rather than returning to Seaview, I opted for the closest available game on quarter-final day: Ards v Loughgall.
Walking into the ground there was a buzz, an expectation. Home fans knew this was possible. Loughgall sat at the bottom of the Premiership, confidence was low, wins were few and far between and Ards, while a little inconsistent in their league form, had played well on their cup journey.
Everyone was up for this one. Everyone except the Loughgall team. After a few short minutes, you could tell no Loughgall player wanted the ball, there was no creativity, no spark. Ards, on the other hand, were resilient their centre backs were clearing every half chance Loughgall took; if they missed a first ball, they certainly didn’t miss the second.
The previous night, Clandeboye Park had seen another upset. Sold out, under the lights, Bangor put Glentoran to the sword. Perhaps something was in the North Down air that weekend.
This was it. This was the upset that I’d craved since round one.
An early penalty and a second half counter attacking goal did the damage but Ards relentless pressing and work ethic was the real key to victory. The cheers that greeted the final whistle were rapturous, fans were ecstatic and the team celebrated a well deserved win.
While I’m not an Ards fan, I am a regular Championship attendee and this result did fill me with a s ense of pride. From a league perspective it was everything that was great about our league, a determined, resilient, passionate performance with fans doing their bit to ge t their team over the line and on this ocassion it reaped awards.
One more game before the final. Two Championship sides remain in the mix.
Could one make it to the National Stadium?
Could both?
Is a North Down derby final a real possibility?
Ards will face Cliftonville. Bangor are up against Dungannon Swifts. Both games are at neutral venues and me well once again….Seaview awaits!
