Sadler’s Peaky Blinders Irish Cup fifth round: Larne v Belfast Celtic (today, Inver Park, 3pm)
STILL only 33, Stephen McAlorum could still be pulling on his boots for up and coming Belfast Celtic – but insists he’ll be happy to be patrolling the technical area against Irish Cup opponents Larne at Inver Park this afternoon.
‘Mackers’ was persuaded to take the managerial reins this season after the west Belfast club outlined their vision to the former Glentoran midfielder.
Formerly known as Sport & Leisure Swifts, club officials opted for a name change – Belfast Celtic – in the close season in a bid to raise its profile.
Competing in the Ballymena Premier League, there were some observers from outside the club who were at odds with the name change, given the emotive history of the old west Belfast club.
But McAlorum feels the sceptics should understand what the Glen Road Heights club is trying to achieve before judging them.
“I’d be of the opinion, live and let live,” said McAlorum.
“Why not use the name? Does the name really mean that much to people? I think the people who have an opinion on it wouldn’t know any of the Belfast Celtic players, to be honest.
“I think people just love to have an opinion. There are so many teams in west and north Belfast...
“If people have a vision and want to create a Premiership football club, because that’s ultimately where you want to see yourself, then that vision should be applauded.
“Now, it might take 10 years or 15 years but that’s the vision the club has...
“At the end of the day, if they can build a youth set-up out of this and get kids off the streets and contribute to the community and society, I think they should be encouraged.
“For young people, there is a pathway at the club for them to be the best they can be. We’re no-where near the finished article, but the ideas the club has can only be a good thing.”
The old Belfast Celtic brought sporting excellence to west Belfast up until the club was dissolved in 1949.
Over 50 years later, another west Belfast club - Donegal Celtic - emerged and reached the Irish Premiership.
But their stay was short-lived as ‘DC’ has since dropped down the divisions.
Paddy Kelly was the manager who guided 'DC' to the top flight back in 2006 and his captain back then was none other than McAlorum.
After several successful years managing Crumlin United, Kelly is reunited with his former captain in Belfast Celtic’s dug-out.
McAlorum said: “One of the reasons why I accepted the Belfast Celtic job was that Paddy would help me, because without him, I’d find it very difficult.
“‘Kell’ has been there and done it. He took DC from the same place and brought them right into the Premiership. So there is no better man to learn off and be guided by and, more importantly, I have a friendship for life with him.
“It’s very hard to trust people and trust people’s judgement. I trust Paddy Kelly’s judgement 110 per cent. That makes it so much easier for me.”
McAlroum flirted with the idea of being a player/manager but after a couple of weeks of the new season he kicked the idea into touch and despite a host of first team players missing for today’s trip to Larne, he has no intention of playing.
“I played a few games at the start of the season but I found it was just too hard to do both,” he admitted.
“So I just made a decision. I need to give the management side my whole focus. You can’t do it half-heartedly.
“I’m enjoying it because I’ve a good team around me - a lot of good coaches and good people - so it made the transition from playing to managing very, very easy.”
In the space of a few short months, Belafst Celtic have earned rave reviews for their attractive style of play with Mark Clarke, Emmet Templeton, Darren Stuart and Gary Warwick key players in the side.
They also have a GAA contingent including former Antrim players Padraig Nugent and Stephen Beatty, while Matthew Fitzpatrick recently signed for Irish Premiership club Coleraine after scoring nine goals in 15 appearances with Celtic.
Playing the ‘Celtic Way’, McAlorum insists, is important to him and his coaching staff “because it’s hard enough to come out in the cold nights to train and play matches... Nobody likes running around pitches or hitting the ball 40 yards up the pitch. That’s not football. If you get the mentality right where you let players express themselves, then you’ll get more out of them.
“That’s why you play football, to get on the ball and express yourself.”
With Belfast Celtic coming through the preliminary rounds to reach today's fifth round, McAlroum finds himself without a number of his top performers.
“We’ve six or seven players out, all starters,” said McAlorum.
“Mark Clarke is on his honeymoon. When I signed him in the summer he told me he would be going on his honeymoon after Christmas.
“Brendan Shannon is getting married, James Haughey is still out from the Newington game [Steel & Sons Cup semi-final]. Emmet Templeton is suspended, Gary Warwick is injured and Matthew Fitzpatrick has moved to Coleraine.
“I’m bringing in two very young full-backs but they’re very good players, really good up and coming footballers and we’ve signed Shane McKernan from St Luke’s who is a really good prospect.
“So there are chances for other players to stake a claim.
“At the end of the day, it’s just a football match. It’s doing what you do week in and week out. You do all the training to play in games like this. I just want the players to show a bit of courage. It’s only man against man, it’s not like we’re playing Real Madrid.
"Yes, we’re playing a good team in Larne but I don’t think the gap between the leagues is as big as it used to be.
“I think a lot of it is down to fitness and mentality between the Premiership and the Championship and even in the lower divisions. If you get the fitness and behaviour of players right you can get a lot out of them. We'll be up against it against Larne. Tiernan Lynch is an excellent coach and has Larne playing some great stuff. I just hope our boys go out and do themselves justice and enjoy it."
Sadler's Peaky Blinders Irish Cup fifth round (kick-off 3pm unless stated)
Ards v Carrick Rangers
TWO sides that know each other well, Carrick are better than what recent form suggests while Ards can still expect a kick from a new manager in place. Niall Currie’s Rangers have the quality to shade this tie.
Prediction: Carrick
Ballinamallard United v Dollingstown
FRESH from their North West Cup final win over the festive period, Harry McConkey’s men will be eager to embark on another magical cup run and should be too strong for Dollingstown who sit mid-table of the Intermediate Premier.
Prediction: Ballinamallard
Ballyclare Comrades v H&W Welders
THE two Championship sides must have rolled their eyes after failing to net a senior club in the fifth round. The two sides are at the wrong end of their respective division. With a far superior defence and home advantage, the Comrades might just nick this tie.
Prediction: Ballyclare
Ballymena United v Crumlin Star
CRUMLIN Star are well used to appearing in cup finals and the fifth round of the Irish Cup so they’ll not be over-awed by the Braidmen. David Jeffrey’s men can expect a fright or two from the Ardoyne men but should progress.
Prediction: Ballymena United
Banbridge Town v East Belfast (1.30pm)
BANBRIDGE have been hopeless this season while East Belfast are flying high in the Amateur League Premier. They have the forwards to do damage here.
Prediction: East Belfast
Cliftonville v Hanover
HANOVER aren’t pulling up any trees in the Mid-Ulster Intermediate League but did claim Killyleagh’s scalp in the earlier rounds. A perfect fixture for the Reds after a testing Christmas period.
Prediction: Cliftonville
Crusaders v Dundela
DUNDELA have always had great cup pedigree and are having a decent Championship campaign. They could make things awkward against an inconsistent Crusaders side, but don’t expect a shock at Seaview.
Prediction: Crusaders
Glenavon v Coleraine
AGAINST Cliftonville, Glenavon showed they can defend despite the concession of 51 league goals this season. Coleraine have recovered from a sticky spell while new signing Matthew Fitzpatrick is cup-tied having played for former club Belfast Celtic in the earlier rounds of the competition.
Prediction: Draw
Glentoran v Portadown
A FIXTURE that conjures occasions of by-gone days, the Ports are flying high under Matthew Tipton but the Glens are in excellent form. Still, the Ports are capable of giving their hosts a bloody nose.
Prediction: Glentoran
Institute v Dungannon Swifts
INSTITUTE have sunk like a stone after losing their League Cup semi-final to Crusaders on December 3. Both ‘Stute and the Swifts played out a 2-2 draw just before Christmas, but home advantage might swing it Sean Connor’s favour.
Prediction: Institute
Knockbreda v Dergview (1.30pm)
DERGVIEW will take some lifting after losing a penalty shoot-out to Ballinamallard United in the North West Cup final only a few days ago, but Knockbreda are the current whipping boys in the Championship.
Prediction: Dergview
Larne v Belfast Celtic
THIS would have been an interesting clash if Belfast Celtic weren’t ravaged by absenteeism. Mark Clarke, Brendan Shannon, Gary Warwick, Emmet Templeton and John Haughey are among Celtic’s absentees. Larne could exploit the visitors’ defensive inexperience at Inver today.
Prediction: Larne
Loughgall v Rathfriland Rangers
LOUGHGALL were always going to find it hard to keep pace with Portadown and Ballinamallard United in the Championship, so there is more riding on their Irish Cup run. Rathfriland lost on penalties in the Border Cup final on New Year’s Day with the Irish Cup probably coming a week too soon for them.
Prediction: Loughgall
Newry City AFC v Bangor
NEWRY have had a mixed Championship campaign to date as they sit mid-table, but they will be quietly confident of progressing at home to Bangor who ply their trade in the division below them.
Prediction: Newry City AFC
Queen’s University v Linfield (1.30pm)
QUEEN’S have been expertly managed by Peter Thompson in recent years, but the chances of an upset at The Dub are slim. However, it’ll be a great occasion for the students.
Prediction: Linfield
Warrenpoint Town v PSNI
BARRY Gray’s men are showing some signs of improvement with a win [over Institute] and a draw [with Glenavon] in recent weeks. On their home patch, they should be too strong for the PSNI as their visitors have already lost 14 league games this season.
Prediction: Warrenpoint
