CATHAIR HEAL

Striker insists final can give Sky Blues – and Reds – lift after poor league form

BALLYMENA striker Cathair Friel believes both Cliftonville and the Sky Blues are chasing a tonic in tonight’s County Antrim Shield final at Windsor Park.

The Braidmen and Reds head into the first showpiece of the season seeking a confidence boost after a series of dispiriting results.

Paddy Mclaughlin’s Reds, top of the table 10 days ago, have slipped to fifth after defeats to

Linfield and Carrick

Rangers (inset), while United are in the midst of a largely frustrating campaign.

Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat to Glenavon saw David Jeffrey’s men, title challengers last season, drop to ninth.

“We’re both heading into this final off the back of defeats so it’s a chance for both clubs to win silverware and get a real confidence boost,” said Friel. “Cliftonville are in the title race but have lost a couple of games so they’ll be determined to lay down a marker. But it’s also a great chance for us. “This final and a run in the Irish Cup are two big targets for us in the second half of the season.”

While Cliftonville, who are chasing their first silverware since the League Cup in 2016, are favourites, Friel believes form will go out the window this evening.

The penalty box poacher, who has scored 68 goals in 150 games for the Sky Blues, said: “League positions don’t always matter in finals and I don’t see this being any different.

“The games between us have been very close this season. We beat them at our place in

September and were frustrated to lose 1-0 at Solitude in November. I hope we can give a good account of ourselves and come out on top.”

Friel is preparing for his FIFTH final in four years as a Ballymena player, although he has tasted success only once when he lifted the League

Cup in 2017.

He suffered defeats in the 2018 and 2019 League Cup finals to Dungannon and Linfield and also lost the 2018 Shield final 4-2 to Crusaders.

“Winning the League Cup was a real highlight and I’ll never forget the atmosphere bringing the trophy back to Ballymena. It’s a buzz I want to experience again.”

Ballymena are likely to be without injured captain Jim Ervin but striker Adam Lecky is available again after a ban.

SKY BLUE THINKING Cathair Friel wants to add to his trophy collection having won the League Cup in 2017