ACE BEN OK WITH RETHINK

Dundela Larne 7.45

BEN DOHERTY is happy to play wherever needed as Larne try to take another step towards a third County Antrim Shield triumph in a row.

The 25-year-old made his name as an attacking midfielder but has been deployed in a different role this season.

Larne, who travel to Wilgar Park in the last four of the competition, are riding high at the top of the Premiership and Doherty feels their success is coming from the 3-5-2 formation boss Tiernan Lynch has implemented.

“The first time we tried it was in a friendly at Hamilton and I think we came away thinking we would maybe struggle this year if we played that formation,” said Doherty, who is a wing-back in the new set-up.

“To be fair to the gaffer he stuck to his guns and the boys have all bought into it, worked hard at it. I probably wasn’t the biggest fan at the start but when you buy into something it shows.

“We know each others’ roles very well and that’s probably the benefit of full-time football, you can work on it.”

The Invermen have to be wary of a Dundela side who have a Premiership scalp in the Shield after their victory over Carrick in the quarter-finals.

“It certainly won’t be easy, especially going to Wilgar Park,” said Doherty. “But as holders we want to make it through to another final.”

Linfield entertain Glentoran at Windsor Park in the other semi and Blues striker Robbie Mcdaid admis they have “a lot to prove” after losing the first Big Two clash of the season 3-0.

“It’s another chance for silverware but ultimately we have a lot to prove after the first game between the teams,” Mcdaid said.