Crusaders will hope Dungannon Swifts giant-killing cup run will not continue in today’s eagerly anticipated Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup semi-final at Mourneview Park. Crusaders will need to be up for the fight and fight is what the north Belfast side have shown throughout the Irish Cup in recent years. Having lifted the trophy most recently in 2019 and again last year; they know what it takes to taste success.
For captain BJ Burns and his team-mates, they have saw their league form go through some ups and downs recently which has left them with a mountain to climb heading into the top-six split if they are to have any chance of pushing for the title. For now, the cup offers them the best chance of European football next year and the financial clout that comes with it. Crusaders will need to bring their A-game against a Dungannon Swifts side making an unexpected surge for Europe in the cup, whilst fighting for their lives towards the bottom of the Danske Bank Premiership table.
The upset of the cup so far has potentially been their 2-1 victory over another north Belfast giant Cliftonville in the Quarter-final. A double from Rhyss Campbell inflicted a first home defeat of the season upon title-chasing Cliftonville. As they backed this up with another victory at the same ground in the league two weeks later. After overcoming Glentoran in their own Quarter-final, Crusaders will have their tails up and one eye on a May 7 final. Neither side have many new injury doubts for the game, with Crusaders hoping defender Josh Robinson makes the squad after a rib injury kept him out last week.
nly one of these sides will remain standing after tomorrows game and the fans will be hoping it’s the hatchetmen who claim victory.