Crusader captain Billy Joe Burns believes Stephen Baxter’s teams deserve to qualify for the Ireland Cup final after completing “some questionable calls” in high-profile matches last season.
After their controversial penalty shootout defeat, Shore Road Club bowed to Larry in the semi-finals of last year’s Blue Ribbon competition.
And another penalty shootout error, when one point was disqualified despite a clear jump on the streak, also cost them a place in last season’s European playoff final.
Painful memories, but now it’s all in the distant past, after the Cruises snatched their place in next month’s Ireland Cup show on Friday night with a 2-1 semi-final win over Cliftonville.
Burns, who pushed the winner before the break, said: “There were some serious calls and penalties last year. I think we deserved it.
This will be my fifth final and we were lucky a few years ago in the semi-finals.
“It’s great to be back in the final. In my career, I go to a point where I can’t make it on my own. Every end you reach, you have to have fun, because it might be the last.”
The joy on Baxter’s face at the final whistle was a far cry from the anger and frustration caused by his loss to Larry last season at Mourinho Park.
In one of the most surreal moments in Ireland’s 141-year history, Cruz goalkeeper Jonny Tove received a red card after it was decided he had left the streak to save three shots.
The former Northern Ireland goalkeeper was replaced by Burns, and Larne won on penalties and advanced to the final, losing 2-1 at the same venue to Linfield.
Asked if last season’s semi-final experience helped motivate Cruz at Windsor Park, Burns said: “You can’t look back, but I think we have some luck.
“Maybe that was a bit fair to the team and to Johnny Taff personally. “He’s been great for us all season and has been getting better as the season goes on.”
(Photo: Stephen Hamilton/INPHO)
Joe Gormley took Cliftonville in first place before Ross Clark equalized and Cruz won with an unhelpful goal in the first half.
Clarke kicked Ben Kennedy and the ball hit the net with a combination of Reds defender Luke Turner and an ambush for Burns.
“That was really my goal,” smiled Burns, who won the Irish Cup with Cruz in 2019 and former club Linfield in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
“We were fighting and the ball hit my heels and went in. Some players said it was their own goal, but I say it was mine.”
Subscribe to our free sports newsletter To get the latest headlines in your inbox.
Source: Belfastlive
I am an experienced and passionate journalist with a strong track record in news website reporting. I specialize in technology coverage, breaking stories on the latest developments and trends from around the world. Working for Today Times Live has given me the opportunity to write thought-provoking pieces that have caught the attention of many readers.
