Cup final goal hero Scullion in comeback glory bid

Larne winger on a mission to relive 2015 fairy tale moment

LARNE ace David Scullion was close to quitting football as he struggled to recover from a hip operation but now he’s dreaming of firing in another Irish Cup final winner.

The 33-year-old (below) was Glentoran’s match-winner at The Oval in 2015 when Portadown were sunk 1-0 in the rain and now the winger wants an action replay in this year’s showpiece.

Larne hope to stun league and Cup double-chasing Coleraine at the Ballymena Showgrounds today while another Championship side, Loughgall, take on Cliftonville at The Oval.

“I was out for one and a half years through injury and I must have thought of retiring four or five times over the last year and a half,” admitted Scullion.

“I’ve great memories from the 1-0 win over Portadown and I’ve experienced the other side of it, losing a final with Dungannon. With my injuries I thought my chance had gone but now I could play in another final.

“It’s great that I experienced a moment like that one against the Ports and I’d like to relive that and experience it all over again.

“We aren’t naive enough to think Coleraine aren’t favourites, they have been in superb form all season and are miles ahead of nearly every team in the country.

“The odds are stacked against us and they are the clear favourites but with a little bit of luck we can go and beat

them.”

A hip operation required a lengthy rehabilitation period for Scullion but just when there was light at the end of the tunnel a hamstring injury curtailed his progress.

But after Larne rocked Ballymena United on their own patch in the quarter-finals, the man who was at Aston Villa as a teenager believes his career can throw up at least one more glory moment.

“The owners have ambitious plans for the club and that is reflected in the players they have signed,” said the Lurgan man.

“The aim is to move up the league table and build a new stadium. Big players have joined and even turned down clubs like Linfield to come here.

“The last Irish Cup game against Ballymena was unbelievable and the fans were incredible, staying behind after the game to celebrate. That’s the Irish Cup for you, it captures the imagination of the fans and players and I’ve been lucky enough to play in two finals and score the winner in one.

“These are the reasons why you train a few times a week, to play in the big games and have those special moments.”

Larne lie in the bottom half of the Championship but they have signed an array of top talent to match the ambition of multi-millionaire club owner Kenny Bruce.

“For the last four or five months I’ve been injury-free and it’s nice to be part of what is happening at Larne,” added Scullion.