Glenavon Irish Cup hero Kevin Braniff excited by the future

The Lurgan Blues continued their impressive ascent by claiming another major trophy on Saturday.

A 2-0 win over Linfield at Windsor Park saw Gary Hamilton’s men clinch their second Irish Cup in three years.

Braniff broke the deadlock with a clinical close-range finish with virtually the last kick of the first half.

And Andy Hall doubled the lead three minutes after the restart when he controlled Mark Patton’s cross before squeezing a low shot past Gareth Deane.

“Gary Hamilton has shown how good he is again. Only one other manager has won the Irish Cup more than once for Glenavon but he’s done it – that says it all,” Braniff said.

“He’s a great manager to work under. You do have your banter and the changing room can be funny at times but there is a serious side to things and we have to stay in line with certain things.

“What the future holds for Glenavon, I don’t know. It all depends on who we can bring in and what players want to come here but with this bunch of lads we can compete again next season, no problem.”

Braniff broke the deadlock when he ghosted into the box to fire Eoin Bradley’s sublime cross home at the back post.

“It was a great ball from Skinner (Bradley), he couldn’t have put it in a better place and I was lucky enough to be there to put it away,” Braniff added.

“It was a great time to score just before half-time, as was the second goal.

“After the first 15 minutes I think we managed the game well and we looked comfortable.

“I don’t think Linfield created that many clear-cut chances, if any, and we were able to take ours.

“We are a good side and with this group of players it is not surprising we were comfortable. We are a good side and have shown we can compete against anyone.

“On our day we are a match for any team in the league.”

Midfielder Ciaran Martyn admitted it was an emotional day for the Lurgan Blues.

The side were led onto the pitch by Terri-Louise Farren, the widow of former player Mark Farren who tragically died of a brain tumour back in February.

Glenavon’s players also wore commemorative number 10 shirts in Mark’s honour as they collected the Irish Cup trophy after the match.

There was also a minute’s applause inside Windsor Park in the 10th minute, in tribute to the Lurgan Blues’ former striker.

“We all miss Mark and obviously he wasn’t just a team-mate for me but a great mate, too,” Martyn said.

“I just had a feeling from the time we played Glentoran just after Mark died that we would go on to win the Irish Cup.

“There was something there and it was going to be a great way to pay tribute to a great guy.

“It was a great gesture from the club to get Terri to lead the team out.

“She was very proud but it was obviously emotional but it was amazing to win it for him. It is a great way to pay tribute to Mark.”