IRISH Premier League champions and table-toppers Larne FC will host Newington FC in an intriguing Irish Cup quarter-final – a repeat of their 2006 clash.
Newington’s assistant manager Conor Crossan has the utmost respect for their opponents but insists they can’t get too hung up on Larne and must concentrate on their own gameplan in a bid to make history and reach the last four for the first time.
“They’re coming up against a Championship team like ourselves and would be expected to beat ourselves - but we have a free shot at them now so there’s no pressure on us.”
Ruaridhri Donnelly, on-loan from Glentoran, was Newington’s cup hero in the last round when he bagged a brace that saw off Premiership strugglers Newry, while midfielder Paul Donnelly is growing in stature this season.
“We have to concentrate on our own side rather than looking more at them because they could change it up at the drop of the hat,” Crossan added.
“We need to get our boys focused on the job they’re going to have to do.”
Both teams are coming off wins with Larne easing to a 3-0 victory over Glentoran and Newington claiming the points with a 1-0 win over Ards in midweek.
While both teams having done well to reach this far in the Irish Cup many see a Larne win as an inevitability given the gulf in resources between the two clubs.
“There’s no doubt about it that we’ve got firepower,” Crossan said, but was quick to add: “Larne are that professional they won’t take us for granted.”
While Newington has an arsenal of top-tier players – including the two Donnellys - Larne are operating at a different level with Andy Ryan and Lee Bonis hitting the target on a regular basis for the Inver Park men. Both were on the scoresheet in Larne’s 3-0 win over the Glens.
While acknowledging that Newington’s will be “more of a collective effort”, Crossan finds it wasted energy trying to second-guess what Larne line-up the Swans will face on Saturday.
“Larne have got so much quality throughout their squad. We could prepare for someone like Bonis but then they might play somebody else in that position just because they have that much depth.”
Eighteen years ago, the two sides met at the same stage of the Irish Cup with Larne grabbing a 96th minute winner to see off Newington who were an Amateur League team.
Since those days, the north Belfast men entered the Irish League ranks, winning two Steel & Sons Cups and a Premier Intermediate League title along the way, and are now punching their weight in the Championship – just one rung below senior football.
Newington claimed early round wins over Dundela and Newry City to book their quarter-final spot while Larne accounted for H&W Welders and Glenavon, scoring a combined nine goals across those two games.
Larne boss Tiernan Lynch guided the club to their first-ever Premier League title last season and reached the Irish Cup final in 2021.
Lynch will see Saturday’s clash with Championship opposition as very favourable as the east Antrim men will look to go one better than three years ago and lift the coveted silverware.
