Academy ‘confident’ ahead of Cup final

Academy captain Matthew Palmer says his side is full of confidence a head of Saturday’s Junior Cup final with Lisburn II.
By John Gillespie
Published 8th Aug 2014, 07:35 BST
(l-r) Graham Elliott (Lisburn II captain), Tony Nicholl (Goldblatt McGuigan), Matthew Palmer (Academy captain) pictured ahead of this weekend's Goldblatt McGuigan Junior Cup final. INLT 32-921-CON(l-r) Graham Elliott (Lisburn II captain), Tony Nicholl (Goldblatt McGuigan), Matthew Palmer (Academy captain) pictured ahead of this weekend's Goldblatt McGuigan Junior Cup final. INLT 32-921-CON
(l-r) Graham Elliott (Lisburn II captain), Tony Nicholl (Goldblatt McGuigan), Matthew Palmer (Academy captain) pictured ahead of this weekend's Goldblatt McGuigan Junior Cup final. INLT 32-921-CON

It’s a competition that has become particularly significant to the Mallusk club in recent years, having won it four times between 2005 and 2010.

“It has to be said, we’re confident going into this one,” said 22-year-old Palmer.

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“We’re in quite a good position this year in that we have only lost twice. We’ve got our strongest team back. We’re confident and excited as well.

“A couple of boys, the likes of David Grenlees and Mark Shields, have been there before and played in the final. The rest of us are fresh and just looking forward to the game ahead.

“The one thing both sides want is the weather to hold. A reduced game with bad weather isn’t really what either of us want.”

Palmer admits a Junior Cup victory at Moylena would be a very special moment.

“This year we said that the league is our main aim, but the excitement among the team and the buzz for the final on Saturday morning will be different to everything else.”