CELTIC INVER DAY TO CHRIS SHERRARD REMEMBER Mcalorum’s Bhoys head for Larne to enjoy tie

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STEPHEN Mcalorum knows all about big Irish Cup matches – but few will have given him as much pride as the one in store this weekend.

The former Glentoran and Ballymena United midfielder is set to manage Belfast Celtic in their biggest match since reforming in the summer.

Mcalorum tasted many Irish Cup highs as a player, culminating with wins for the Glens in 2013 and 2015 against Cliftonville and Portadown respectively.

His Hoops go to big-spending Premiership side Larne in the fifth round of the country’s blue riband knockout competition on Saturday.

They’ve certainly earned their place at this stage, too, having knocked out the top two in the Premier Intermediate League – Annagh United and Portstewart – as well overcoming a strong Larne Tech OB outfit in round four and putting nine past Dromore Amateurs to kickstart the run.

Larne, of course, will be a challenge on an altogether different level.

But there is history between the clubs with Larne offering their Inver Park ground to what was Sport and Leisure Swifts when their Glen Road Heights home was burnt by vandals in 2014.

And Mcalorum expects a day to remember on Saturday, whatever happens with the scoreline.

He told Match on Tuesday: “We’re feeling excited about the game – it will be a massive test for the boys but they deserve it all credit for getting to this stage.

“You just want them to go and enjoy the occasion and express themselves.

“Can we go out and play with a bit of freedom? Yes, most definitely.

“We’re missing seven of our starting team so it’s an opportunity for some of the boys that haven’t got much game time to stake a claim for a place going forward.

“You want them to go and play football and enjoy it.

“It’s also a test for some of the boys that want to play at a higher level to go and prove that they can compete with the top boys.”

Since reforming, Celtic have enjoyed a fantastic first half of the season in the ranks of the Ballymena PIL.

As well as the Irish Cup run, they’re into round three of the Intermediate Cup and went all the way to the semi-finals of the Steel and Sons Cup only to lose on penalties to Newington.

In addition, they have won seven of their nine league matches and sit poised for a run at the upper echelons in the new year.

Mcalorum added: “We are very happy with the progress but there is so much more to come with this bunch.

“They’re a hard-working and honest bunch of boys.”

Meanwhile, two sides who had contrasting Boxing Days will meet at Lakeview Park.

Loughgall, who lost on home soil to Portadown in a top-of-the-table Championship clash, welcome Rathfriland, winners of the Bob Radcliffe Cup.

Another Amateur League outfit, Crumlin Star have a trip to Ballymena United to look forward to while East Belfast are on the road with a visit to Banbridge Town.

Ards welcome Carrick Rangers to the Bangor Fuels Arena with Dollingstown going to Ballinamallard United, who reached last season’s final, and Ballyclare host the Welders at Dixon Park.

Hanover from the Mid-ulster league have a dream day out against Cliftonville at Solitude while Dundela go to Crusaders and PSNI are away to Warrenpoint Town.

Knockbreda against Dergview offers both an opportunity to brighten their dim seasons with another step forward in the cup.