DH CHRISTIE HOPING TO ROUND OFF A GREAT YEAR

But this season the boys from Ballycairn are on the verge of making history. For victory in the showpiece final this Friday night would give them a treble of trophies as they already have the Mullan Cup and Killowen Cup in the bag.

“If we don’t do it this year I don’t think we’ll ever do it as we have some real quality and experince in the team this year,” coach and P7 teacher Chris Murdock told Times Sport.

“Given our recent record you could say we are due a result, but it all comes down to who performs on the night.

“This team has been together for the last four years or so now and they have tasted a good wee bit of success in that time. But if we managed to win the Doherty Cup it would be the icing on the cake.

“We have a lot of experience in the side. And a lot of the players play regularly for the likes of Bertie Peacocks, Coleraine Academy and Ballymoney Academy.

“We’ve only played St Colum’s once this season. It was during the group games in the Killowen Cup. The game finished 0-0 some there wasn’t too much for us to take out of it, so they are a bit of an unknown quantity for us.

Excitement is certainly building at the school, particualrly after the final was postponed last month due to the weather.

“The lads were obviously very disappointed when the game was called off a few weeks ago, but it just wouldn’t have been fair to ask them to play in those conditions,” revealed Chris.

“But the postponement has only cranked up the excitement levels in school. The pupils have been painting banners for the last couple of weeks and the cheerleaders have their new routines worked out. It’s all going to add to an already memorable occasion.

“It’s fantastic for the boys to get the opportunity to play at the Showgrounds. It’s probably something the majority of them will never get the chance to experience again. So it will be a night they will never forget that’s for sure.

“I’d just encourage everyone to come along on the night and give both teams the support they deserve. Both ourselves and St Colum’s have worked hard to get this far and it’s great that one way or another there’s going to be a new name as such on the trophy come the end.”

One person who will be watching on with great interest is the former DH Christie Memorial principal, Mrs Jennifer Campbell, who was always a great support of every sport during her tenure at the school.

“I’m sure Jennifer and William will be there to cheer us on this Friday night,” said Chris.

“She was heavily involved in all the sports and loved to see the children bring success back to the school as well as develop into keen young sports men and women.

“Our new principal, Mr Henry, is also a very keen supporter of the team and I would love us to be able to bring the cup back to the school by way of a thank you to both of them for all the input they have given me over the last few years.

“Hopefully it will be a memorable sporting occasion with some great football from both sides. It’s a final so anything could happen and I’m sure there will be a few nervew flying about, especially as there is likely to be a big crowd there watching on.

“But I’m sure both sets up players will rise to the occasion.”