LEAGUE CUP FINAL: Seaview setting is home from home for Callaghan

Callaghan’s highly-successful spell as a player with Crusaders in the 1990s included a double title triumph plus League Cup glory within an impressive trophy haul.

He will be drawing on his past experiences of the big occasion to try and add another memorable chapter to this season’s League Cup run by Carrick.

“When you spend four or five years there as a player and a year-and-a-half as a manager, you’ve got fond memories of the place,” said Callaghan. “It’s a special place in my heart, always has been and always will be.

“I’ve still got some great friends down there and I’m delighted that the final is at Seaview.

“I’m really looking forward to it as it’s my first final as a manager.

“I’ve been an assistant in finals down south and I’ve won leagues and cups as a player so I’m really looking forward to this weekend.”

The Dublin-born boss returned to the Irish League last October as Carrick manager.

“We’re definitely the underdogs, particularly as they’ve beaten us twice this season and of where they are in the league,” said Callaghan. “We’ll prepare the lads as well as we can.

“It seems to be the year of the underdog.

“If you look at the result of Brexit, that tells a tale or two and there have been one or two other shocks around the world.”