Schools' Cup final - '81 captain wants his record to end

NO-ONE will be more pleased than Gordon Currie if his long-standing record within the history books of Ballymena Academy comes to an end in tomorrow's Northern Bank Schools' Cup final.

Little did Gordon know as he climbed the Ravenhill steps to collect the famous trophy in 1981 that some 29 years later, no Academy captain would have made the same journey since.

The skipper of the class of '81 will be present at a packed Ravenhill tomorrow in the hope that a trophy famine spanning almost three decades will finally come to an end.

"I would be absolutely delighted if Ballymena Academy win it," said Gordon, who was back at his old school last week for a visit.

"I have written a letter on behalf of the 1981 side to any Academy team who has made it to the final since - I'm hoping this will be the last time!

While it may be almost 30 years ago, the memories of that day - where Ballymena Academy beat Bangor Grammar 12-3 - remain as vivid as ever for Gordon, now an IT manager, living in Donaghadee.

"I remember having an early lunch in the school canteen and then getting the minibus up to Ravenhill - I actually had a sleep on the minibus!

"There were no semi-finals at Ravenhill in those days, just the final, and nothing could really prepare you for the wall of noise when you ran out onto that pitch for the first time.

"One of the first things I did was give away a penalty and I remember standing praying that their kicker would miss it - thankfully he did.

"We had started that year with no real expectations but we beat Methody, RBAI and Campbell on our way to the final and we were able to go on and complete the job.

"I just remember turning to Bruce McKenzie at the final whistle and we were totally elated. I also remember my father coming running onto the pitch - I didn't see him at the time, until he got me in a big bear-hug! When I went up to get the trophy it seemed to be just navy and red everywhere you looked."

Turning to this year's final, Gordon has encouraged the Ballymena players to go out and savour the experience.

"For a schoolboy rugby player, getting to the Schools Cup final is the opportunity of a lifetime - it's just the greatest thing that can happen to you at that young stage in your life, even more so if you win."

Perhaps this is the year that Gordon can put that pen down for good...

n Interview: Stephen Alexander

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