Crusaders F.C. 2011/12 A Season to Remember

What an end to last season it was for Crusaders. To put it in as few words as possible, Crusaders FC won the Setanta Sports Cup - only the 2nd Irish League side to do so and what a day it was, as I mentioned when we were looking forward to the two cup finals, winning one really did turn out to be the icing on the cake. It was probably the biggest achievement (outside of winning the domestic league) in the clubs history and combined with the Irn Bru League Cup win from earlier in the season, one of the most successful seasons for silverware the club has known. I think it put everyone in such a happy place especially considering the disappointment of the Crues losing the Irish Cup final in such a disappointingly foundering manner just 7 days before. The contrast of our experience between those two Saturdays in May was quite extreme.

The Irish Cup final was one to forget, a day where the usual depressing experience of watching a football match at Windsor Park was reflected by our own team's abject performance and we were deservedly beaten 4-1.

I'm not even going to get into the issues and arrangements inside the ground that helped make it even more of a poor occasion but suffice to say, Linfield and the IFA have plenty to improve if they really want to provide a space and environment where people from all sections of society will want to attend football matches.

The positive from that day apart from the goal after half time was the huddle in front of the Crues fans that Stephen Baxter and the team formed. It looked from where we were sitting to be a motivational speech of sorts. I'm guessing the words that were said were somewhere along the lines of 'take this all in, how this feels, how it hurts and remember it when you're walking out at the Oval next week, give your all to make sure you don't have to feel that way again!'. After waving our black and red flags and clapping the players off as they picked up their medals, we headed back to Seaview to drown our sorrows.

The week flew by and we were soon waking up and getting dressed up once again in club colours to head to the Oval (Glentoran's ground) for the Setanta Sports Cup Final.

Compared to how I'd woken up with apprehension and apathy the week before, this time it felt exciting, even though we were probably playing tougher opposition, it felt like we had a chance, it felt like the bigger occasion, the anticipation a cup final should have.

We walked from the Newtownards road across to the Oval - a neutral venue for both sides - in the sunshine, our heads and black and red chequered flags held high and billowing in the breeze. Again we were underdogs for the game, our opponents for the day, Derry City who play in the League of Ireland, the team who had knocked Linfield out at the quarter final stage of the same competition.

After getting some food and taking in a bit of the atmosphere we headed up into the stand. I always forget how small the leg room can be on some of those wooden seats in the main stand at the Oval and with my long legs we had to move seats. A stand which was made in an age when people were smaller aside, there was a more relaxed atmosphere at the Oval than at Windsor the week before. Both sides had fans behind the goals, both had a covered stand, both really seemed to be enjoying the day.

As it got closer to kick off the tension and atmosphere built, there were plenty of club colours around the ground, both sets of fans were in good voice and it was all set for a great game. It was the build up to the game similar to that we experienced at the Ballymena Showgrounds with the CIS League Cup final earlier in the year, the buzz that just never materialised for me when we were stuck up on the Windsor meatpacking shelf the week before.

The teams came out and lined up and once the formalities were out of the way the game began.

Though the game was goalless for 80 minutes there were plenty of chances. Just a few minutes in, Derry keeper Gerard Doherty was able to keep out Timmy Adamson as he raced through. Not long after, Chris Morrow was denied by the post from a free kick.

There were more opportunities for both sides before half time but we felt more than a little unlucky not to have gone in at half time ahead and the thought that it wasn't going to be our day did cross my mind.

The 2nd half is when it really got going. In the same way the Crues had gone close early in the first, now it was Derry's turn as a header from a free-kick crashed off the bar and out. Not to be bettered, Chris Morrow was again soon to go agonisingly close, his volley somehow kept out by the Derry keeper at close range. Then with just a third of the game to play, Timmy Adamson almost broke the deadlock but his header from a corner became the 3rd time the woodwork was wobbled.

For the next 20 minutes there were chances at both ends before our fears came true as Derry went 1-0 with only 10 minutes left to play. It was, of all people, former Irish League player Rory Patterson with the goal, a good finish after a great set up deep inside the box, but you know what, as bad as it felt to go behind so close to the end, we could feel and see from the players reactions that we were not out of it yet.

The Crues restarted and continued to keep up the pressure. It paid off, with just 4 minutes to play, Captain fantastic - Colin Coates, got on the end of a Brentford bound Stuart Dallas' cross from a free kick and as it went in we were up on our feet cheering like crazy.

There was still time for more drama before the 90 minutes were up. We hadn't even settled down from the goal when David Rainey almost won it in normal time but unfortunately for us his shot went agonisingly wide.

Then the excitement turned to disbelief as a slide tackle out along the far touchline saw Crues defender Stephen McBride sent off after receiving a 2nd yellow card.

The 2012 Setanta Sports Cup final was going to extra time but the odds had swung in Derry's favour with their numerical advantage.

Over the last couple of seasons we've seen our team reduced to 10 men maybe a bit more regularly than we'd hope but if there was one thing we knew they could do well was to still be effective on the offensive whilst being a player short, we knew they'd give their all, the question was, with it being extra time in the final game of a very long season, how much more was there to give?

The answer was they had plenty left to give. Derry had plenty of possession but it was the Crues who almost scored through Declan Cadell as the Derry defence could only watch as he raced through but put his shot wide.

Then came a huge goal. Colin Coates again connecting with a Stuart Dallas delivery, this time from a comer. As that goal went in I felt a mixture of elation, disbelief and pride. With so much going wrong in the game the week before and the team not putting away the chances we'd had in this game, it seemed to be so much like one of those days but that goal blew those thoughts away. Against the odds we had the advantage for the first time.

Could the 10 men hang on? Well sadly no. It was a staunch effort mind you, each and every player did their utmost to keep Derry at bay and it wasn't through our defensive wall being breached that Derry scored, it was from a slightly harsh penalty call for a handball in the box. Up stepped that guy Rory Patterson again to take the spot kick and he made no mistake. So close but yet the pendulum had swung agonisingly away again. Thankfully that was the only Derry goal in extra time, Sean O'Neill denying McEleney's long shot and taking the game to the dreaded lottery of a penalty shoot-out.

The blind hope was still there but it was tempered by experience, technically it could still be my team's day but past events have led me to despair the existence of a  penalty shoot-out in football. It's not that I don't enjoy watching them (if it's not my team) but I can't remember seeing a team I support (the Crues, Leeds or England) win one. I only remember them losing. Like Pavlov's dogs, I've been conditioned over time - but instead of salivating when the bell rings in anticipation of food, when the whistle sounds to end extra time, I resign myself to seeing my team losing. I doubt I'm alone.

So what happened next was the most magnificent penalty shoot-out I'd ever seen. Coates blasted his penalty home, Morrow bounced his off the keeper, Gargan had his saved but Morrison had missed his penalty for Derry the kick before so at 2-2 after 3 penalties each it was already going to be a case of one mistake. The next Derry player scored then up stepped Matthew Snoddy, even at the young age of 18 had all the composure of a seasoned professional and tucked it away, as cool as you like, sending the keeper the wrong way. It was now sudden death, Derry scored their 5h and then it was down to Stuart Dallas, his last competitive kick of the ball before a move to full time football in England, miss and we would have lost. He made no mistake.

The 6th spot kick for Derry was taken by McCaffrey, his shot, to our delight, was well saved by the stretching Sean O'Neill who got enough on the shot to snuff out it's path towards the goal. With that penalty saved it all came down to the unmistakeable figure of Gareth McKeown. The affectionate shouts of 'G, G, G, G, G, G, G, G' rang out from everyone in the stand as he made his way to the penalty box. He took his few steps back, the whistle blew, there was a moment of silence from the Crues fans and boo's from the Derry City supporters as everyone focused on the one kick that could decide it.

The ball was kicked, the keeper guessed the right way but the ball beat his dive, the back of the net rippled. Crusaders had not only demonstrated it was possible to win a penalty shoot out, the team had only gone and won the Setanta Cup!

Here is a video someone called Matthew Moore took from the Derry City end as the penalty was taken.

Crusaders F.C were the 2012 Setanta Sports Cup Winners - All Ireland Champions.

We were elated, exstatic, arms in the air, cheering and in awe. Gareth McKeown ran towards the stand in celebration as did the rest of the team and all the players and club officials down at pitch level.

We stayed in the stand well after the awarding of the cup which was a great moment (video taken by the same guy as above).

The players were all celebrating like mad and we marvelled at the trophy being paraded around the pitch. All the familiar faces we see in the stands each week through rain and shine were overwhelmed with happiness, there were even a few tears of joy sneaking through along side the manic grins and black and red chequered flags being waved - this time in celebration!

The players were all joined by their kids on the pitch and it was the start of the great party to come.

I can't remember it dying down so much as the celebrating just moved on, down the stairs, down the road, on the bus (where even fans of other clubs were asking the score and congratulating us) and back to Seaview. I was hyper and I don't think I managed to stop chattering manically until my mouth was being used to drink a celebratory pint of Guinness or 6 back at Crusaders Social Club.

Everyone, as usual, win or lose was back at the club and it was a brilliant night. The players came back a little later on after heading out for a celebratory meal and arrived in style on top of an open top bus waving the trophy in the air. The police had to close off the road for a while as the street filled and the fans sang.

We stayed down at the club til very late, after a short speech about the success of the day and the season (not forgetting that this was a cup double, the club having won the Irn Bru League Cup back in January) from our manager Stephen Baxter...

...there was plenty of dancing to the usual songs like the Killers - 'Are we human, or are we Dancer Crusaders'. it was a great day, a great game, a great atmosphere, a great night and even more importantly a great season.

Though the Crues hadn't done as well as we'd have hoped in the league, personally I think the Cup runs more than made up for it. It was an amazing achievement for a semi-pro side like ours to not only to play so many games (starting the season in the Europa Cup Qualifying back in June 2011 and playing in 4 more cup competitions) but to get to 3 cup finals in the process and grasp so much success from them. Meatloaf once said, '2 out of 3 ain't bad', I'd like to let him know, 2 out of 3 is brilliant! Here is a photo of the league cup again for good measure :)

This seasons European games against Rosenborg BK have since been and gone, the Crues came out of the home tie with a 0-3 deficit but defended brilliantly in the 2nd leg only losing 1-0 to a long distance goal that no keeper was stopping.

Which brings us nicely into the bread and butter of the new season when who knows what will happen, especially with the new sigings like Paul Heatley and Gary McCutcheon! Now I've seen the Crues win a penalty shoot-out, it's almost like the fear of daring to dream is gone - though I'll keep my feet firmly on the ground, it's a better place to launch from!

Bring on 2012/13!

Crusaders FC, the season so far.

Exciting times for the wee Crues from the Shore Road. There are 4 months of the Irish League football season still left to be played and though things haven't gone perfectly so far, I'm bracing myself for a gripping ride following the season to it's conclusion in May and cheering on the Hatchetmen all the way. Here is my take on Crusaders F.C's season so far and a quick round up of what might still be to come.

Football can be cruel: Some results haven't been entirely kind and one particularly bad performance saw Crusaders end up on the wrong end of an 8-1 hammering to Linfield.

Football can also be kind: The Crues then beat Linfield 2-1 at home, scoring our goals with only ten men on the pitch and as you'll read below, that never say die attitude means the team still have a lot of opportunities awaiting them.

Currently the Crues sit 2nd in the 12 team league, 2nd higest scorers but also having the 2nd highest goals against record. The side's league form has blown hot, cold, then hot again, but despite the ups and downs, Crusaders still have quite the record in having scored in every one of the 35 games they have played in all competitions. Win, lose or draw it's been one crazy season so far but, like any roller-coaster ride, full of excitement.

To add to that excitement, it has to be said that the Crues have also sadly received the most red cards in the league. Having watched plenty of these games, I would say from observation that this particular stat has been compounded by what I would consider a fair bit of inconstant refereeing and this has tended to wind up both managers, players and fans alike. Not much you can do about that though, every team is in a similar boat. Earlier in the season it seemed like we were having a man sent off every game but thankfully that has since subsided.

On a more positive note, the for and against stats tend to reaffirm that the Crues are a team creating lots of chances and playing a lot of football rather than being a team keeping things tight and playing cautiously like a lot of the teams. This is certainly something anyone having seen Crusaders this season is likely to have appreciated, the attacking side of the style of play adds a lot of entertainment. I'm not to try to make any unjust excuses however with a small squad - injuries and suspensions have played a big part in the team conceding so many goals. Suffice to say, between all the talking points and all the goals there has hardly been a dull moment, great games to watch if you're a neutral.

Watching the Crues this season has at times been quite a pleasure. Norngirl hasn't much liked the cold of this winter but to create all those goals it's no shocker to say the Crues have some great attacking players in the team. The manager Stephen Baxter has continued to improve the side even from the highs of the Irish Cup Final in 2009.

It may still be early days but in my opinion the signing of the season so far has been Stuart Dallas.

Dallas was signed from Coagh United during the summer on the back of impressing in an Irish Cup game at Seaview last season. In my view he has been nothing short of a sensation (just enough for most of us to forgive him for supporting Liverpool ;) ).

I don't mean to give the guy a big ego but going by what we've seen it would be a travesty if he doesn't get signed by a club from across the water before long (hopefully to Leeds ;) ;) nudge nudge Simon Grayson). Whoever does snap him up will have a gem on their hands, if no one does, their loss will be Crusaders gain.

A lot of armchair football supporters might disagree but I believe Irish League players on their day can do anything a multimillionaire player in England can do, I mean look at the goal Matty Burrows scored for Glentoran against Portadown that got him nominated for FIFA goal of the Year.

The problem in terms of standard, as with footballers everywhere, is being able to repeatedly demonstrate the highest level of their skills on a very consistent basis. With some players you can just tell they have that ability in them. So far this season, Dallas has shown a lot of that consistency and typically his awareness and ability have been higher than his opposition who have often struggled to contain him. His control, movement and versatility is something you don't often see and you can just tell he has that something extra.

Elsewhere in the team, Colin Coates has been solid and though the defence has conceded a lot, he has again been a rock when playing. He's a leader who has been able to influence games in the sides favour both in defence and up front.

Chris Morrow also deserves a big mention for his performances; having been out for a long time with a broken leg, he's now back to his post injury form this season. Arguably one of the best midfielders in the league, he has a trickery and finesse about his play that can easily open up a defence. Morrow has also been impressing elsewhere recently after being drafted into the role of goalie on two occasions, most notably 60 minutes in net in a 2-3 away victory over Newry City.

Another player who has shone more and more as the season has progressed is Aidan Watson. I'd say he hasn't had the plaudits in the press that his performances have deserved largely due to his position as a combative midfielder but ask any Crues fan and they'll let you know how much he's given to the side. Watson was signed by the Crues from Ballymena United at the start of the season and due to a bad leg break to Ryan McCann, Aidan gained a regular place in the side and has gone from strength to strength, the guy has quite a leap on him and doesn't let much past him or give much away.

I could sing the praises of so many of the side this season, with so many goals, there have been many highlights, some great goals and lots of dramatic twists both for and against.

What is certain, is that is that with four months left, the Crues still have so much to play for.

Though the league title is likely to be out of reach due to a dominant Linfield side whose depth of squad should see them through to the end, there is still the chance of a top 3 finish which would see the Crues make the qualifying rounds of European competition next season.

At the start of the season, my hope was just a top 6 finish and thankfully we're already all but mathematically there with 6 games to go before the split and to be honest that's me happy as it maintains the great progress the club has made in recent years.

Other than the bread and butter of the Irish League, Crusaders are also still in 2 cup competitions. Having reached the semi finals of the County Antrim Shield back in October - losing out to Glentoran 2-1, the team then missed out on a place in the CIS Cup Final on penalties against Lisburn Distillery in a one legged tie where we were the away side. With that in mind the team will be eager to go further in the 2 competitions remaining, especially the Irish Cup. This Saturday just gone saw the Crues reach the quarter finals with a hard fought 2-1 home win against a plucky Nortel side. 

In the draw Crusaders were drawn away against either Ballinamallard United or Lisburn Distillery. With Distillery likely to come out on top, it looks likely to be a re-match at Grosvenor with the Crues having a score to settle from that CIS Semi Final penalty shoot-out defeat.

The other cup competition is the Setanta Sports Cup. It will be the first time the Crues have been in this competition and we will be playing against opposition from the Eircom League of Ireland in a two legged Quater final tie in March. Whoever the Crues play, we're likely to be underdogs and it will be tricky but the good news is we'll be at home for the 2nd leg.

With so much still to play for I really can't wait for the games to roll around. There are some huge games coming up, games that are likely to make or break the heights the team can reach this season.

The first of those games is our next home game which is at 7.45 on Monday 21st February at Seaview, a game that is also going to be live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD1 if anyone wants a taster - though obviously being there in person holds many times the experience. 

Off the pitch there are also likely to be several developments with the clubs infrastructure in the months to come, as reported in the Crusaders FC match day program on Saturday, ..."contracts for the two new stands, turnstile areas, toilets and perimeter fence will commence on Tuesday 22nd February".

Good times, bring it on.

9th May 2009, Irish Cup Final.

As a football supporter, reaching any cup final is a big event in itself, winning the semi-final is a taste of what might be as you’re celebrating reaching the high stakes game that awaits. So after Crusaders strode through the semi-final of the Irish Cup last month, hopes were high. The Irish Cup is the F.A cup for the Irish League. So on the 9th May as Crusaders took to the field at Windsor Park in Belfast to take on non-other than our local North Belfast rivals Cliftonville the stakes were huge! As well as the bragging rights and going down in history, the chance was there to bring home a trophy neither side had managed to get their hands on in decades (for the Crues since 1968!) .

It was either going to end in a fairytale or as just yet another day to add to those that fall under the long list of ‘great to be there but to try and forget to keep sane and not let the disappointment tip you over the edge because it doesn’t quite feel like just a game’. Personally, I’ve followed football in an almost religious fashion since I was old enough to understand what it was. As most of you who follow English football might be aware, supporting Leeds United over the last 17-20 years (although starting well - and the odd good league finish) has brought more lows than highs, especially in recent times. So when it comes to cup finals and expectations, my dafault stance is to expect the side I support to lose. I’ve seen both the Crues and Leeds lose cup finals but never win one. For some reason though the 9th May was a bit of an exception as I had more hope than usual. After all, Crusaders FC had surpassed all expectations this season in finishing 3rd in the league thanks namely to the brilliant management of the team by Stephen Baxter.

For anyone who doesn’t follow Irish League football or those who aren’t too aware of Crusaders F.C. in 2005, after a 56 season spell in the top flight, the club were relegated to the Intermediate league for the first ever time in the clubs history. Stephen Baxter took over the helm just prior to the club’s relegation but was unable to stop the inevitable. The club, although thankfully not in the figures involved at Leeds, was never the less in serious financial trouble. The future didn’t look bright or at all possible that just 3 seasons later the same manager would be leading a side out to challenge for a trophy that even successful managers with much larger budgets in comparison to other clubs in the league hadn’t managed to acquire. For a longer history of the club here is a more substantial read.

The morning of the big day arrived and the press were all seemingly jumping on the Cliftonville bandwagon - even though we had finished higher in the league they were being tipped as slight favourites. The rain was quite heavy that morning and as Windsor isn’t usually the best ground to hold its drink we were holding out for news of whether the game would still be on. It was and nervously we waited for the time to come to set off, we got dressed up in all our match day colours and got our flags and tickets together.

Soaked as we made it to the bus, it seemed like it was going to be a long day. Thankfully it wasn’t long before we were in South Belfast and walking into the ground under the now bright sunshine. Behind the South Stand where the programmes and sweets and burgers were being sold, it was a sea of Red and Black, kids, adults and OAP's alike, everyone was in high spirits.

We found some seats in the stand near the folks who start the anthems going from the stand and got our flags some early wave time. The atmosphere was carnival like and it built until the kick off when it reached its crescendo for the time being.

The game was tight, both team as is understandable in a Cup final and local Derby didn’t want to give anything away. A few good chances fell to the Crues, one very good chance was blazed over the bar from the centre of the box from Jordan Owens and the thought that it just wasn’t going to be your day (again!) were encroaching on my conscious.

During half time and a very long queue for anything (namely the toilets) the atmosphere – at least from my point of view - turned nervous. The anticipation is the killer and luckily the queuing for a wee distracted me for almost the whole of half time until the game resumed.

The 2nd half got off to a flier. After a couple of minutes the ball broke down the left wing to Mark Dickson who was brought down about half way from the touchline to the penalty area. The resulting free kick taken by Martin Donnelly was played into the area and the brilliant Colin Coates got up to head the ball back to Dickson. His volley from just to the left of the penalty spot sent the ball flying into the net leaving the keeper and defenders no chance. I went absolutely crazy as did a couple of thousand people around me. 1-0 Crusaders. Here is a video from the BBC of Mark Dickson's goal, well worth a watch, a great finish.

Just after the goal we had another chance and it was looking good but Cliftonville soon started to keep us in our own half and had the better opportunities in the remainder of the game. Coates called upon once to clear the ball of the line, Chris Keenan to pull off a couple of fine saves. Gary Smyth at one point had to make a last ditched interception that ended up coming off the top of our own crossbar. So it boiled down to the last 10 minutes and it was backs to the wall defending. Luckily the whole team were not going to let it slip through their legs without giving their all. Still the nerves were at fever pitch and anytime the ball went near our penalty area the tension rose. The songs were fewer and the biggest cheers from our section of the crowd became those for clearances to safety or goal kicks.

Injury time slipped away and we were almost there! The dying moments saw the ball once again cleared and a chance for a final goal but the ball ran too long for David Rainey and out for a goal kick. It didn’t matter though, the goal kick was hurriedly taken but time was well and truly up and the ball flew through the air and whistle blew. We also flew into the air as did our black and red chequered flags and the sound of the happiest fans in the whole of Northern Ireland if not the world that day. The rest is a blur but it involved straining my voice box and jumping around a lot, more cheers as the team lifted the trophy and the celebrations afterward. The house became decorated in Crues colours and I still have a smile on my face to this day! After so many lows, tasting a high I suspect feels all that much better!

An amazing achievement – a real fairytale and a day I doubt any Crusaders’ fan present that day will ever forget. I never thought seeing a team I support passionately win something would feel so good. It really surpassed my expectations and I just hope I can experience something similar again in the future both with Crusaders and with Leeds. The icing on the cake is that although Crusaders were going to be in the early Europa League 1st qualifying round for finishing 3rd, we’re now in the next qualifying round so might draw a bit more of a more high profile team and a nicer away day.

Win, lose or draw, roll on next season!

The big game is close to home.

On Saturday 4th April, the big game of the weekend in N.I for hundreds of people (including me) wasn’t some overhyped football match between Fulham and Liverpool. It was the Irish Cup Semi Final between two of the most improved teams of the top flight of the Irish League. Institute vs. Crusaders kicked off at 3pm at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

How I found myself enjoying the spectacle that is Irish League Football heavily involves Norn Girl who has graced Seaview with her presence since she was a toddler. As she adopted the unenviable position of supporting Leeds, I became a supporter or Crusaders F.C. My first game at Seaview was a cup match (I believe in 2003) which we drew 1-1, I wasn’t up to speed with the local cup competitions at the time but looking back I believe it was in the County Antrim Shield. Having only ever been spoilt with top flight English football at Elland Road, I do remember I spent the majority of the game comparing in a not so positive light the differences between the qualities of the game in front of us compared to what I had grown up watching. In retrospect, I completely missed the point.

The point being there is a huge difference in what as a fan you receive back from supporting a club where every fan matters and where you’re not just a faceless number.

Thankfully my first miss understanding didn’t deter me. The positive I took from what would have been not even a full first team playing at Seaview that day was the connection the fans had with the action on the pitch. It reminded me so much of the time I was supporting Leeds in a pre-season friendly away at York City. The game there also ended 1-1. It was also by no means a classic but the one thing I do remember so clearly was that same connection with the players and staff. When the ball came over the fence before the game and at half time we all played volleyball and throughout the time on the terrace we were singing and cheering. The players, many of whom weren’t in the first team responded to the fans and it made cheering them on through the game like cheering on your relatives, you could mock them in good spirit or cheer them on until you lost your voice and they appreciated it and it positively impacted their performance.

At the time Bradford born Harpal Singh was a player on the rise through the ranks at Elland Road at the time and he earned many a fan that day. Sadly he never made an impact on what was a very successful 1st team at the time; he’s now playing for Dundalk in the Eircom FAI League of Ireland.

So after a night of anticipation waiting for this Saturday to arrive we got dressed up in our shirts, scarves and hats and picked up our flags. Just after 1pm we arrived outside Seaview on the Shore Road and were guided to our bus by one of the supporter’s club members. Many other coaches joined us and we were on our way up the M2, destination Ballymena.

We arrived at 2.45 and made our way to the gate of the Warren St Stand. Unlike the impersonal frisking at many English Premiership grounds the security searching us were apologetic for taking up our time and we were soon inside the ground buying a program and some half time draw tickets and a bite to eat. The supporters groups had got together to ensure a great atmosphere for the game and over a hundred flags were being waved when the players lined up on the pitch.

Although there weren’t a huge number of Institute fans who had made their trip down from Derry those that had made the trip were also in high spirits.

It’s important to understand that Irish league football is frowned upon by many so called football fans here in Northern Ireland. We all know many so called fans who would rather pay through the nose to a digital TV station to sit at home and watch their favourite English Premiership top 4 side than head to a live local game for a fraction of the cost and a more interactive form of entertainment. So for the Irish league clubs who have to survive on a shoe string (even Linfield who do have an advantage over the rest of the league with a lucrative deal for use of their stadium for International games with the Irish Football Association) a crowd of several hundred is a decent attendance.

The match soon reached a high tempo and within 10 minutes we were 1-0 up thanks to a goal from Jordan Owens that would have had the pundits purring. That is if there was actually a highlights show other than 5 minutes of highly selective footage before the schools rugby at 5pm on a Saturday when no fan is even home to watch. The goal came after Martin Donnelly played a lifted ball down the left wing to Mark Dickson who’s first time looped cross to Jordan Owens was volleyed into the bottom left hand corner from just inside the area. We all went crazy and the red and black chequered flags filled the air. Goal number two arrived before we had chance to breath. Again a cross from Dickson found Owens whose header was parried by Allan Ryan in the Stute goal and it was scraped over the line by Eamon Doherty. The stand erupted again and the chant I really don’t like of ‘easy, easy, easy’ rang out. It was a solid performance by the Crues players who like their counterparts put their own livelihoods on the line each week giving their all for the club for very little financial reward.

After a half largely dominated by the Crues but with the odd moment of nerves in front of our goal the tie was made all but safe when Aaron Black made it 3-0 after being slipped through by Davy Rainey, it was a great finish that almost seemed to settle in right hand corner of the goal in slow motion. We were in dreamland and well on the way to the clubs first Irish Cup final in 29 years. I don’t think anyone expected such a clinical first half with the other 3 games this season between the sides having being so very tight.

Half time came and went and the second half saw another goal for each side. First Stute were awarded a penalty for a foul in the box that was calmly converted by Kevin Ramsey. Then after several substitutions, the game was put beyond any doubt by a fortunate if not quite spectacular own goal. A diving header sent the ball up in the air, crashing against the cross bar and over the line before bouncing out again.

The BBC have highlights of the match here!

As the whistle blew the emotion from Stephen Baxter (manager of the Crues), the staff and the players showed that it meant as much to them as it did to us. They came over and applauded and celebrated with us as we them. Unlike the usual crowds you see across the water, it was not only the Crusaders fans applauding our team but also those Institute supporters who had stayed behind after the whistle. Our players returned the applause to them as they made their way off the pitch and down the tunnel. Moments like that never get noted by the press as they like to focus on any minor negative event that might occur at such occasions but it’s the nice moments that stick in my mind.

A noisy but enjoyable ride home followed, the adrenalin still rushing through our veins and the prospect of a televised final against either Linfield or Cliftonville on May 9th to look forward to. With 5 matches in the league to go before then and with the weather improving, we’ve over a month of great entertainment ahead.

Although televised here in Northern Ireland, if anyone wants to join the Crusaders support at the final, you’ll be in for a treat. We’ll be singing our hearts out and waving our flags and willing our wee club from North Belfast on to win the cup. The atmosphere if past finals and semi finals of other cups are anything to go by will be electric.

Win or lose the players will do us proud and sure it won’t be the polished silky skills of the English Premiership on show but the difference won’t be too far short. Hopefully the financial side for clubs will improve soon which will enable to clubs to improve the skills on show. With the Crues, a cross-community project with Newington FC to relocate to a new stadium is in the pipeline to try and secure that future and benefit the community further than it already does.

What is lacking in precision within the game here is made up for with passion, honesty and excitement. After all in the Irish League it’s pride and the love of the game that drives the fans and clubs to stay afloat and the players to give their all.

C’mon Crues, you can do it!