Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MY KIDS WILL BE ALRIGHT
Dixie backs youth to emulate the class of ’85
IT has been 13 years since the Bob Radcliffe Cup resided in Co Tyrone - and the young guns from Dungannon Swifts would love to end that wait.
The ensuing seasons have seen Armagh teams dominate the competition with only Banbridge Town capable of interrupting that hegemony.
It wasn’t always thus, however, with teams from Tyrone enjoying a good spell in the middle of the 2000s which included four finals for Coagh United.
It also featured victory for the seconds from the Swifts in Christmas of 2005.
And it is that feat which Dixie Robinson’s lads are attempting to emulate this Boxing
Day.
Not that it will be easy.
Standing in their way will be a Rathfriland side contesting the final for just the second time in their history.
And if it’s to end as that previous time did - in defeat - then the young Swifts will have to be at the excellent end of the performance sliding scale.
But if they’re looking for inspiration they don’t need to look far.
Robinson said: “I was involved the last time we won the competition in 2005 and it was a fantastic occasion for the club.
“We had a young Niall Mcginn in the team, who must have been 16 or 17, and boys like Mark Mcallister who went on to play at the top of the local game.
“When you look at it, to think that was a reserve team is unbelievable.
“Hopefully within this current team we can find another future Northern Ireland international and players who will play in the Premiership.
“They’re a really talented group - the best I have worked with - and I’m delighted for them to be in this final.
“We’re listed as an under-20 team but in reality it’s more of an under18s.
“They’ve been doing well all season and we will play them all in the final as a reward for their efforts in getting the club there.
“It’s a pat on the back for them and hopefully getting to perform in front of a big crowd in a cup final will allow them to too.”rise to the big occasion Robinson, who took charge of the Swifts first team between 2009 and 2011, is also the Head of Development at the Stangmore club.
Tasked with guiding the next generation of potential first-team players for Kris Lindsay to pick from, he leads them week after week in the high-quality NIFL Development League.
And he believes his talented youngsters can relax and enjoy the showpiece decider before them.
“I would imagine Rathfriland go into this final as red hot favourites,” he insisted.
“When you look at the quality they have in the team, they’ve a lot of ex-irish League players in their ranks such as Rambo Hughes, Andy Kilmartin, Marty Haveron.
“I think they will be delighted to be playing us in the final.
“For me, performance is always the most important thing and that’s what we’ll be looking for again in the final.
“But when it’s a final you want to win it so we will ask them to play with no fear, as we have all season.
“They come up against some really talented teams and players in the league which will hopefully go some way to preparing them for this game.
“The Bob Radcliffe Cup is a men’s competition so these young lads have had to deal with the physical side of the game in every round.
“And they have shown a real desire to mix it with men which you don’t always see in young fellas.
“In the semi-final against Valley Rangers, it was a long journey to Kilkeel on a Friday night against an excellent side.
“It turned into a really good game of football with both teams wanting to knock it about.
“We conceded a late equaliser to send the game to extra-time but the boys showed great character to go again and win it in extra-time.
“I’m delighted for them to be in this final and we’re all really looking forward to it now.”