PUT A CORK IN IT
TONIGHT, 7.20PM, BBC SCOTLAND BET £10+ PRE-MATCH ON WATFORD v LIVERPOOL
BY MICHAEL GANNON CONNOR McCARTHY partied after a couple of cup corkers in Ireland and would love another trophy celebration in Paisley.
The St Mirren defender was part of the Cork City set up that won back-to-back FAI Cups in 2016 and 17 and he would love to stage a repeat with Saints.
Jim Goodwin’s men will need to do it the hard way with cup specialists Aberdeen in town tonight but McCarthy is out to use his knockout know-how.
He said: “My cup experience was good with Cork City. I was there from the age of 16 and we got to the FAI Cup final four of the five years I was there and we won twice.
“I’ve always had good cup runs so hopefully I can emulate that success with St Mirren.
“The FAI Cup final is a brilliant occasion at the Aviva, in front of about 35-40,000 fans.
“In one of the finals Sean Maguire, now at Preston, scored a 119th-minute winner for us against Jamie McGrath’s old club Dundalk in the final.
“To get it in the last minute of extra-time was different class.
“Jamie’s beaten me a few times in finals as well to be fair, so there’s a bit of give and take.
“We didn’t get the open-top bus routine but there was a stand put up in the main street in Cork and it was filled up with thousands of people, welcoming us back.
“Those are tremendous memories. That experience does stand you in good stead.”
McCarthy knows Premiership survival is top of the list for Saints but it doesn’t mean he doesn’t fancy a run to Hampden.
He said: “I didn’t even think about the cups when I moved here, my focus was just on the league. I didn’t picture myself playing at Hampden so soon. If we get there it’s an added bonus.
“The league is probably our bread and butter so anything after that is a bonus.
“Don’t get me wrong, we’re really looking forward to this game and it should be a great occasion. Being one game away from Hampden is a brilliant incentive.
“I’ve spoken to a few of the lads who have played there before and they’ve said it’s a fantastic venue.
“I’m sure if we are lucky enough to get there then the St Mirren fans will pack it out.”
The Buddies are bouncing after beating Motherwell in midweek to move five points clear of rock bottom Hearts.
The Scottish Cup is a pleasant distraction and McCarthy isn’t going to be overawed by Aberdeen this evening. Goodwin’s men have won and drawn with the Dons in Paisley this season and will show no fear on home soil.
McCarthy said: “The mood is good in camp and it was a nice confidence boost to get the win against Motherwell on Tuesday.
“It was well needed with the run that we were on. We hadn’t won in quite a few weeks so spirits are high now going into the Aberdeen game.
“We’ve performed well as a team the last couple of times against Aberdeen. But we are under no illusions about how good they are and it’s going to be an extremely tough game.”
Sports Betting . Horse Racing . Casino . footie5