Talks to stand-in Cliftonville skipper CHRIS CURRAN

celebrating mode, they had just won their first league title and they probably didn’t realise how fortunate they were to be in the Irish Cup final and, in that sense, sometimes players think they are going to roll around every season, but it doesn’t work out that way and you have to grab the opportunity when it comes. “Back then, we had a lot of experience with the likes of Ryan Catney, Barry Johnston, George Mcmullan, and then a real good mix of young talent.

“And the next season we had Joe Gormley and Liam Boyce up top who were just scary, the best partnership that I have ever witnessed in the Irish League.

“But now, we have quite a young team, loads of energy, loads of hunger and drive, and we have a lot of lads there who haven’t won anything, no Irish Leagues or Irish Cups so there is a huge amount of hunger about our squad now.”

Although he now belongs to an exclusive club of players who own a Gibson Cup medal, there’s no danger of Curran forgetting his roots.

A product of the Ballinamallard academy, he says he was never so proud as the day the club fulfilled its destiny when they clinched a historic promotion to the top flight.

Curran had returned from a twoyear apprenticeship at Manchester United to play a leading role, and ranks that title win up there with anything he has achieved. “Signing for Manchester United was obviously a huge highlight for me but, at senior level, we won a championship with Ballinamallard and got them promoted which was huge at the time. Nobody saw that coming,” said Curran.

“For anyone who has ever been to Ballinamallard, it is a very, very small village with a small population so that was a big accomplishment, and after that, with Cliftonville, playing against Celtic was a dream as was going on to win the title.

“And obviously now, I’ve never been past the quarter-final in the Irish Cup so I can’t wait for the final.

“Obviously it’s going to be tough but we’ll keep our feet on the ground and see what happens.”

REDS ALERT On the ball for Cliftonville in league encounter with Ards at Solitude last August MARK-ED MAN Under pressure from Mark Patton of Glenavon at Mourneview Park in 2015 MALLARDS MAN On ball for Ballinamallard against Crues in 2012 FINAL...