The road to the National Stadium in May begins on Saturday as the Irish Cup campaign starts for Crusaders who travel to Breda Park to play Knockbreda (1..30pm) in the 5th Round. Crusaders are six times winners with the last two just two and three years ago respectively while Knockbreda have created some big moments in the competition but never won it. It is a David v Goliath tie that has all the hallmarks of a “giant killer” and Crusaders will not be taking the opposition lightly at all.
Crusaders have prepared for this game exactly the same as any game even though Knockbreda play in the Intermediate League two tiers below and will be ready for Knockbreda giving the game a real go. Crusaders where humbled last season when Championship side Ards put them out at this stage last season in a penalty shoot out at Seaview after winning the Irish Cup in the two previous years, 2022 & 2023, so they are aware of the “highs and lows” in the Irish Cup. Declan Caddell still has big injury worries and will probably throw new signing Josh O'Connor in at the deep end to help ease the crisis up front with Kieran Offord and Jordan Stewart missing out aginast Carrick Rangers last Monday. Josh Williamson may get a start after coming off the bench the last two games to perform well and he may take the opportunity to give others game time and minutes on the pitch as he looks towards a busy January that involves competing in three competitions. The message will be simple. Play the usual game and do not underestimate the opposition and a place in the next round will be taken.
Knockbreda play in the Premier Intermediate League and sit tenth in the table with three wins, three draws and three defeats so far. Manger Colin McIlwrath will know what they face and will go into the game giving it everything and sending his team on to the pitch in a positive mood. They where unbeaten in December with two wins and a draw so they are showing form and will hope to bring it into this fixture with Elliot McKim and Francis Nolan top scorers and the players to watch.
So the journey we have travelled so successfully of late starts again and don't forget it is an early kick off at 1.30pm at Breda Park. Admission is £10 and £5 and it is a cash gate. Make the trip up the Castlereagh Road and get behind Declan and the team as we look to progress to the next round. C'mon the Crues.