Peaky Blinders Irish Cup Round One: Knockbreda v Newington (today, 2.30pm)
NEWINGTON manager Conal McNally has no concerns over the match fitness of his players ahead of their Irish Cup clash with Knockbreda this afternoon despite having played just two competitive games in 13 months.
While a handful of intermediate clubs declined the IFA’s offer of playing in this year’s re-scheduled Irish Cup due to not playing a competitive match in over a year because of the lockdown laws, others decided the chance to get out on the field again was worth it.
None of the intermediate clubs who played in Tuesday night’s Irish Cup disgraced themselves, with minnows Annagh United only losing 2-0 to Linfield at Windsor Park.
McNally admitted he was initially sceptical about playing in this season’s Irish Cup – but once the players voted to take part he was happy to prepare them for today’s clash against Championship opposition.
“The club put it to the players about playing in the competition,” McNally explained.
“It was a combination of being out for such a long time with COVID-related issues and just wanting to get back on the pitch. That was the reasoning behind it.
“Initially, my thoughts on it were intermediate clubs were being used in a sense to fulfil the fixtures of the Irish Cup. You were training for potentially one game, so on that basis I was probably against it.
“But, listen, the last six weeks have been great. The players have really dug in and they’ve really enjoyed the training sessions and they’re looking forward to the game now.”
Since the pandemic, Newington participated and lost the Intermediate Cup final to Dollingstown last August before getting another competitive run-out against Carrick Rangers in the Co Antrim Shield back in October.
“I think every club, bar the Premiership clubs, are in the same position with having played virtually no games for over a year. Knockbreda have probably had the same number of friendlies as ourselves so we’re in the same boat.
“It’s about getting back on the pitch. That’s what the players want to do, and that will be something I’ll stress tomorrow – enjoy the fixture, enjoy playing and getting back out there and doing something that you love. Of course, along with the enjoyment there is the desire to win.
“And I think that’s something that we can achieve based on the friendly fixtures that we had. We acquitted ourselves really well against Cliftonville, albeit it wasn’t their full first team, and Ballyclare Comrades. There were definitely lots of positives from those two games and if we bring that momentum into tomorrow’s game there is no reason why we can’t come away with a positive result.”
Win or lose (the game will go straight to penalties if it finishes all-square after 90 minutes), Newington are guaranteed £750 prize money and a bag of footballs.
Both teams are allowed to name seven subs and can play up to three.
The north Belfast Premier Intermediate club are backboned by Richard Gowdy, Ethan Casey, Kevin Bradley and Dan White.
“Based on the friendlies we’ve had, the fitness of the players has been really good,” McNally added.
“Since I’ve come in you really see the work ethic and the hunger within the players. They are a super group of fellas. When they turn up to training they are there to work hard, and they’ve done that in every session.
“Players have been rotated during the friendlies and I think we’ll go in pretty fresh. The sessions have been of a high intensity that have got us to a level where we’re ready to go, so I’m not overly concerned about the fitness of the players. There will be a strong 11 out tomorrow and seven great options on the bench.”
Elsewhere, Ballinamallard United host Dergview and Loughgall take on Banbridge in today’s other cup ties.
Meanwhile, Glentoran will try to gain some ground on leaders Linfield in the pick of today’s Irish Premiership ties, while Coleraine will try to nail down third at home to fourth-placed Cliftonville.
