Brown backs Blues and Invermen for showpiece
AS a former Cliftonville manager, Glentoran No.2 and someone who masterminded one of the greatest Irish Cup shocks, Jimmy Brown is eagerly awaiting this weekend’s mouthwatering Semi-finals.
The top four Premiership sides collide with Big Two rivals Linfield and Glentoran squaring up at The Betmclean Oval on Friday, while Premiership champions Larne and Cliftonville meet at Windsor Park on Saturday.
Cliftonville and Linfield have not met in an Irish Cup Final since 1934, but all four teams have the firepower to lift the prize and these titanic battles are impossible to predict.
Brown was a 25-year-old player-manager for Carrick in 1976 when the then-b Division side stunned Linfield 2-1 in the Final of the Irish Cup.
It was only the third time in the competition’s history that a second-tier team had humbled a top-flight giant. Willowfield overcame Larne 1-0 in 1928 and Dundela embarrassed Glenavon 3-0 in 1955.
An unlikely European Cup Winners’ Cup adventure followed and FC Aris Bonnevoie of Luxembourg were conquered 4-3 over two legs before Brown’s side lost to Lawrie Mcmenemy’s FA Cup holders Southampton in the last-16.
The former Newry, Cliftonville, Ballyclare, Glenavon and PSNI boss was also Roy Coyle’s assistant at Ards and Glentoran.
Brown acknowledges the Semi-finals could swing in any direction, but he is edging towards a Larne v Linfield Final.
“They are two outstanding matches, but Glentoran have been up and down this season,” he said. “The Glens have been inconsistent, and while they can beat Linfield, I just feel the Blues will edge it.
“There is huge pressure in these games, but Big Two games are usually always cagey, tight affairs.
“On this occasion, Linfield might take it. Declan Devine has done very well since he came in, but reaching a Final would be a significant achievement. It should be a cracker.
“I can remember the Sean Armstrong Semi-final when he scored the winning goal, that was epic. I ran up and down the line in front of the fans, it was a stunning day. Big Sean was a great player.
“It was a privilege for me to work for the Glens alongside an outstanding manager in Roy Coyle, and we have great memories from the Irish Cup.
“It was a very effective working relationship which brought great success.”
Brown, who works in Larne, succeeded Jackie Hutton as Cliftonville boss. Hutton oversaw a Solitude revolution that delivered County Antrim Shield success in addition to the Reds’ famous 1979 Irish Cup triumph.
His resignation led to Brown becoming the first manager to lead Cliftonville into Europe, as well as a Gold Cup win.
“Jim Boyce convinced me to take the job, and it was a very different time,” continued Brown.
“The current Cliftonville side are very strong, but Larne are a formidable side and I think they will nick it.
“Lee Bonis is in form, ably supported by Andy Ryan. Joe Gormley can still make an impact for the Reds, but the champions are well-organised and have a good style and strength in depth.
“Larne are a difficult side to beat. When we won it with Carrick, we beat Larne in the Semi-finals, and we needed a replay before going on to beat Linfield in the Final.
“Larne were a strong team then and favourites to beat us, now they are a stunning side, a very different animal.”