Homers put Junior Cup on back-burner for now

HARRYVILLE Homers manager Robert Duddy has told his history-making players to put their Coca-Cola Junior Cup exploits to one side as they chase domestic glory.

The Harryville side became the first team from the Ballymena Saturday Morning League to reach the final of Northern Ireland’s most prestigious junior football competition when they beat Belfast side York Road Loughside in last week’s semi-final.

They now take on holders Strathroy Harps, from Omagh, in the final, which will be played at Moyola Park’s Mill Meadow ground on May Day Monday, May 6.

“It’s been an amazing run in the Junior Cup but we have to put that on the backburner for a few weeks now,” Duddy told Times Sport.

“We have nine cup finals to play in the league before we even think about the Junior Cup - we have All Saints Old Boys to play twice and Carniny Rangers to play once and there’s not a lot between the three sides.”

Duddy, who is in his first season in charge of Homers - who celebrate their 40th anniversary this term - praised his players’ heroics in the semi-final success.

He reserved special praise for skipper Gary Bonnes, whose second half goal proved the difference between the sides, and keeper Ryan Martin, whose late penalty save secured Homers’ place in the final.

“Gary is Homers through and through. He was a bag of nerves before the match but he’s our captain and he leads by example.

“Ryan did very well to save the penalty and then to get up and block the rebound and he earned himself a kick in the face for his trouble. We had actually felt a bit aggrieved at the penalty award because it was the linesman rather than the referee who gave it.

“Strathroy Harps must be an exceptional side to win the Junior Cup last year and then reach the final again this year but we will look forward to that game when the time comes,” added Duddy.