Tennent’s Irish Cup semi-final: Coleraine v Larne (Today, Ballymena Showgrounds, 3pm)
LARNE striker Davy McDaid has firmly rejected claims that the influx of new players are only at Inver Park for the money.
Multi-millionaire and Larne supporter Kenny Bruce has ploughed an initial £500,000 into the Championship club to try and get them back into the Irish Premiership.
Bruce, based in Los Angeles, made his fortune by founding the online property market company Purple Bricks.
McDaid is one of a number of high-profile players who have signed for Larne this season but the former Cliftonville striker insists ambition rather than big wages is the new recruits’ driving force.
“Everybody says it’s all about money, money money but they don’t see the bigger picture,” said McDaid.
“There’s a whole lot more to it – it’s about involving the community, not just the football team.
“The club’s goal is to get to the Irish Premiership, so everybody that’s coming here knows where the club wants to be.”
Bruce’s financial backing has undoubtedly helped Tiernan Lynch’s side in reaching this afternoon’s Irish Cup semi-finals.
The Inver Park club shocked Ballymena United in the quarter-finals and face the ultimate test of facing Coleraine at the Ballymena Showgrounds who were runners-up last year.
McDaid spent six months with the Bannsiders before moving on to Cliftonville.
“I’m probably enjoying my football more I have ever have at Larne,” he said.
“Before that I enjoyed my football most at Coleraine. I was only there for six months. It’s a special club. When I signed I was made to feel so welcome by Oran Kearney and all the board members at the club.
“I’ve always said Oran Kearney is an unbelievable manager and I’m glad now that he’s getting the credit that he should have got years ago.
“I’ve so much admiration for him. I hope he’s beaten on Saturday but I really would love to see Coleraine going on and winning the league.”
The Bannsiders are huge favourites to reach their second consecutive Irish Cup final – but McDaid isn’t ruling out another giant-killing act.
“Beating Ballymena in the quarter-finals was one of the best feelings I’ve had in football. We were big underdogs and it’s definitely up there.
“Coleraine are massive, massive favourites and, to be honest, there is not one bit of pressure on us. Coleraine have a lot more attacking options and are a lot more dangerous than Ballymena.”
McDaid, who recently turned 27, says his ideal cup final would be Larne versus Cliftonville. Laughing, he said: “I’m sure the dozen or so ex-Cliftonville players at Larne would love that!”
