Larne hoping to upset odds in Irish Cup

As the big freeze gives way to the big thaw Millar is keen to see football back on Saturday as he plans to lead his team down to the border city in the hope that they can spring an Irish Cup upset at The Showgrounds in Newry.

"Everybody – managers, players and supporters – loves the Irish Cup and, when the draw is about to be made, the chief hope is for a home tie and the next is to get a team at either end of the spectrum, one of the really big clubs or one of the teams from the lower echelons of football," explained the Larne manager.

"As it happens, on this occasion we didn't achieve either of those objectives. Instead of coming out against a big team or a junior side, we have been paired with one of the in-between opponents. It's not the draw we wanted, but it is one that is intriguing in that we think we can win it – even though our opponents are obviously favourites.

"Newry City will definitely know they will get it difficult against an ambitious team like Larne, one that is playing well in the IFA Championship and has every chance of causing an upset in a one-off match like this.

"They have a good squad of players. Stephen Ferguson, who was one of the key players when I was there, is the skipper and still a great player. And they have other good players all over the field – not least up front where Steven Garrett and Chris Morgan are potential matchwinners.

"They will also be aware of what happened when we met Crusaders and Dungannon Swifts – both of whom were in the top three teams in the premier league and gave them plenty of trouble, holding our own for more than an hour, before losing to them. In Crusaders' case, it was only a 40 yard blockbuster and a penalty that led to our downfall.

"So their new manager, Johnny McDonnell, will be acutely aware of the threat we present against a side that had struggled to get results for quite a long time after he was appointed. They are still not yet into a winning rhythm.

"Training-wise, we haven't been doing too badly. In my work as manager of a business park and sporting complex which has access to a 3G pitch, we had a session on that last week and again on Saturday, while in between these Larne boxer Roy Webb had us in for a session which incorporated a circuit-training routine.

"We have everybody available, except for Adam Dick who is suspended. BJ McMenamin, Alan Reid, Marc Brown and Jamie Marsh are all fit again after a varying range of injury problems – which is good news all round.

"We are a young side and I will be telling the players, as I do on all such occasions, to go out and enjoy their football. They should approach the match with confidence and ambition and it's another fixture from which they will gain invaluable experience, whatever happens.

"So we're looking forward to the match and I think we have a pretty good chance of springing a little surprise" added the Inver Park manager.