Braidmen aim to end trophy famine

The Braidmen have a chance to win their first piece of meaningful silverware for more than five years when they take on Banbridge in the final of the First Trust Senior Cup at Ravenhill on Wednesday night.

Ballymena will be overwhelming favourites against a side two divisions below them in the All-Ireland League structure but Andrews is anticipating a tough test.

“Banbridge are a team similar to ourselves in that we have both got back to bringing through home-grown talent.

“They have a steady supply of players coming through from Banbridge Academy and from that catchment area and they have a good coaching team in Dan Soper and Simon best, since his retirement from playing with Ulster, so no-one will under-estimate them.

“It has been a fairly successful first half of the season for us, leading our division in the Al-ireland League and reaching the Senior Cup final – it has taken two years’ hard work just to be able to compete at that level.

“If someone had said when Ballymena last won the Senior Cup that it would take another five years to potentially do it again, people would have been taken aback but that’s how much the picture has changed since the introduction of the professional era and it has taken the club until now to get back on its feet.

“We have a very good senior panel of players now. Our second XV are top of their league and lost narrowly in the semi-final of the Junior Cup so we have good strength in depth.

“As far as the First XV’s All-Ireland League campaign is concerned, I don’t think too many people in Ulster would have given us much of a chance of sitting top of the table at this stage but we felt we could give Division 1B a good go and the most pleasing thing is that we have been able to do it consistently.”

In the Senior Cup, Ballymena have seen off old rivals Dungannon in the quarter-finals and then City of Derry in the semis.

“Reaching the final hasn’t been easy – the only ‘gimme’ we’ve had was a bye in the first round.

“The game against Dungannon was close-fought game which ultimately came down to who wanted it most on the day and thankfully that was us.

“Against City of Derry, we played really well in parts before letting them into it a bit but I felt we were comfortable enough winners that day.

“They were both tough game and I expect Banbridge to be every bit as tough.

“It was good that we had no game on Saturday because it means we are physically fresh for the final and we have had time to focus our thoughts on that game.

“It would be great if we could win the Senior Cup, not only to get our hands on some slverware, but to help keep the momentum going for the second half of the season.

“I believe that if we were to win on Wednesday night, there would be no holding this panel of players back because they are young and hungry to do well,” added Andrews.

See page 49 for more Senior Cup final coverage.