Larne next in title race for Limavady Utd

The men from Co. Armagh will certainly go into the game as favourites having already beaten the Roesiders twice in the league this season.

The latest of these happened two weeks ago as United succumbed at the Showgrounds in what was perhaps their poorest performance of the season.

United manager Oran Kearney is looking forward to his team's biggest game of the season so far.

"It's the biggest game for us this season and there is no denying that we are looking forward to it," said Kearney.

He added: "Under lights at the Ballymena Showgrounds it's going to be a big occasion there is no getting away from that fact.

"At this level these sorts of games are what football is all about and that's exactly what we want."

The former Ballymena United and Linfield star was quick to point out that no-one remembers semi-finalists.

"To be perfectly truthful no-one remembers a beaten semi-finalist and that's just the way it is.

"When I was a player I couldn't tell you who we beat in the semi-finals and I will be preaching that to all the players.=

"Unfortunately that's the cold hard reality of football and that will never change."

The Ballymoney man also feels that in this game the result is much more important than the performance.

"This game will not be about performance. It's simply about the result and that is the only thing that matters.

"Of course I am hoping for a great performance from the players but it's not the be all and end all.

"This game is all about making sure that we win the game and that's exactly what we will be looking for.

"We have had a fairly long journey to this point, going to the likes of Comber and Albert Foundry and we want to make sure it was worthwhile."

Having lost to Loughgall recently Kearney feels that his side won't need motivating for this game.

"Of course the win a few weeks ago will have given them a boost but I think that can be used to our advantage.

"We can't play any worse than we did in that game but I don't think that perhaps they know that.

"They will see it that they outplayed and out bossed us and they will be thinking they can do the same in the semi-final.

"I won't have to do too much motivating for this game and I will be demanding a massive response from the players.

"All the ingredients are there for us. We severely underperformed the last game and we want be beat one of our main rivals.

"We will be making sure that we give it everything we have got to ensure we win the game," concluded Kearney.

Going into this game United will be without the services of Peter Spratt who serves a one match suspension.

United will also be without Michael Walsh and John Neill who are ineligible for competition.

Damian McNulty should also be available providing he recovers from an ankle injury picked up against Carrick Rangers.

Mitchell Tommons and Matthew McGraw will be added to the squad for this game.