We’re refreshed and out to be a success: Mcgrory

BALLYMENA United’s versatile Andy Mcgrory hopes his good fortune in the Sadler’s Peaky Blinder Irish Cup can reach new heights when he lines out against rivals Coleraine in a semi-final showdown at Windsor Park on Monday afternoon (4pm).

He has already been on the podium on two occasions, having helped Glenavon defeat his current club in 2014 before Gary Hamilton’s boys popped the champagne two years later following victory over Linfield.

With local football in lockdown since early March, the Sky Blues and Oran Kearney’s Bannsiders have been given the honour of bringing back some sort of normality.

“The break probably came at the right time for us,” said the 28-year-old (below). “Obviously, not only has our country suffered from the outbreak, but the world was affected by it. In football terms, we were going through the motions to a certain extent when everything came to a halt.

“We just couldn’t get a decent run together and there were a number of factors for that. We had big players out for a long period of time.

“In saying that, we have a big squad. We should have been able to deal with it, but we didn’t. We now have a chance to redeem ourselves.

“It could actually turn out to be a successful season if we can get past the semi-final. It’s a big ask for the four teams, coming back into a competitive environment. We’ve been back three or four weeks now and Davy (Jeffrey) has been putting us through our paces, trying to get us as fit as we can.

“I’ve always said once you get to the semi-final of any cup competition, it’s down to whatever team turns up on the day and takes their chances. And, of course, you need that wee bit of luck as well.”

Mcgrory admits the new social distancing process has taken some time to get used to.

He added: “Training has been intense. You are only allowed into the ground for a certain period of time. We’ve crammed in an awful lot, which can be dangerous as well.

“I have won it twice with Glenavon, so the tournament has been good to me so far. Hopefully, that continues on Monday night.”