Danske Bank Premiership: Coleraine v Cliftonville (today, 3pm, The Showgrounds)
THE Irish Cup final may be all the talk around Solitude, but Cliftonville boss Barry Gray has his eyes fixed firmly on another prize for the time being – securing third spot in the Danske Bank Premiership.
A few months back the Reds, their Irish Cup endeavours aside, looked to be drifting towards the end of the season with little at stake.
However, five wins from six league games - coupled with Glenavon’s poor run of form - has brought Gray’s men right back into the mix, with a guaranteed European spot now in sight.
Irish Cup final opponents Coleraine are already sure to finish second at least, meaning that if Cliftonville can secure third they would go into the May 5 decider knowing that, win or lose, they would be in the draw for the Europa League qualifying rounds.
“As manager you need to have one eye on what you’re doing in the cup final but the focus, for the next number of games, is very much on that third place,” said Gray, whose side currently sit two points off Glenavon and Linfield.
“That automatic European spot is a big carrot for us. I’d love to be going into the cup final knowing that third spot has been secured, Europe’s in the bag for next year.
“It would allow you to maybe enjoy the final a wee bit more because there’s not as much pressure on your shoulders.”
It is 39 years since Cliftonville last won the Irish Cup so it is only natural that, having suffered three devastating final defeats in the time between, the Reds faithful are excited at having another shot at ending that barren run.
Yet Gray will resist the temptation to read too much into tomorrow’s dress rehearsal, no matter what happens at The Showgrounds.
He said: “We won’t be thinking about the cup final at this stage – it’s a wee bit early on for me.
“I can’t control what’s outside the changing room. There’s no way I would ask anyone involved with Cliftonville, fans or officials, not to get caught up in the whole cup final scenario because it’s massive.
“But my job is just to keep players’ feet on the ground and concentrate on what we have to do before we get that far and, regardless of where you are in the league, you want to get on a run of momentum heading into a cup final.
“I don’t think this game will be anything like the cup final. I know the two teams will be very similar, but there’s a lot at stake for Coleraine tomorrow, not as much for us.
“It’s a very different affair from what it’ll be in the final.”
However, with Oran Kearney’s title challengers undefeated from the three meetings between the sides so far this season, Gray admits there could be a psychological edge up for grabs.
“If Coleraine were to beat us tomorrow, they would be rolling into the final thinking they’ve had the upper hand on us and there could be an advantage in that.
“Whereas if we could get the three points maybe it would give us that wee edge going into the cup final – it would maybe give our boys a wee bit of security and give them a wee bit of insecurity.
“Whatever happens will be fresh in minds and probably discussed in the changing rooms before the final.”
IIIIIIIIIIIOOOOOIIIIIIIIIII
IRISH LEAGUE STATS
(all games 3pm kick-off)
Ards v Glentoran
RONNIE McFall’s seventh-placed Glentoran head to the Bangor Fuels with an eye on the Europa League play-offs in May. Ards moved into eighth spot in the table, nine points behind the Glens, after their midweek victory over in-form Warrenpoint.
Odds: H: 13/5 D: 5/2 A: 5/6
Prediction: Glentoran
Ballinamallard United v Warrenpoint Town
DESPITE losing to Ards on Tuesday, Warrenpoint are almost mathematically safe from a relegation play-off and they go into tomorrow’s game having already recorded two wins and a draw against basement-dwelling Ballinamallard. The Fermanagh club’s relegation six pointer against Carrick Rangers fell foul of the weather during the week.
Odds: H: 23/10 D: 13/5 A: 10/11
Prediction: Draw
Coleraine v Cliftonville
IT may be a dress rehearsal for the Irish Cup final, but both still have plenty to play for with Coleraine still right in the hunt for the Gibson Cup while Cliftonville – who are without injured defender Gary Breen - have their sights set on third place. The Bannsiders, who need to pick up maximum points from the final four games and hope Crusaders lose one of theirs, have won twice and drawn once against the Reds so far this season.
Odds: H: Evs D: 12/5 A: 11/5
Prediction: Draw
Crusaders v Glenavon
TUESDAY’S home draw with Coleraine leaves Cruaders in pole position heading into the final four games, and they welcome out-of-form Glenavon to Seaview today just a month after smashing the Lurgan Blues 6-1. Stephen Baxter’s men have a two point lead and superior goal difference over the second-placed Bannsiders.
Odds: H: 1/2 D: 10/3 A: 7/2
Prediction: Crusaders
Dungannon Swifts v Carrick Rangers
CARRICK Rangers go into this game knowing that, should results go their way, a win could take them eight points clear of Ballinamallard. Davy McAlinden’s men have greater motivation coming into this game as Dungannon amble towards the finish line following an indifferent campaign, with Carrick having won their two League games against the Swifts this season.
Odds: H: 4/7 D: 11/4 A: 7/2
Prediction: Draw
Linfield v Ballymena United
LINFIELD’S dramatic late victory over Glenavon has added another layer of interest to the race for third spot, and the Blues will be confident of beating a Ballymena side so comprehensively defeated by Cliftonville during the week. The Braidmen go into this game without Cathair Friel who was sent off against the Reds.
Odds: H: 8/15 D: 3/1 A: 4/1
Prediction: Linfield
