IRISH CUP: Lurgan Celtic boss Colin Malone urges players to '˜seize the moment'

Malone, who has been in charge of the Hoops for two years, believes his boys have the credentials to grab a glamour quarter-final slot against one of the ‘big guns’.

But Malone’s biggest problem is the fact that his team have been out of action in recent weeks.

In fact, their last league game was a 3-0 win at Bangor way back in November.

“We lost to H&W Welders in the Intermediate Cup a fortnight ago – and we certainly looked a little bit rusty,” he declared.

“On our day we are a match for anyone. We’ve already drawn with the Welders and Ards and defeated Bangor.

“In terms of the league table, the game with Knockbreda should be very evenly balanced as only a couple of points separate the teams in the Championship One table.

“It may well come down to home advantage, so we hopefully that will tilt us in our favour.”

Malone, who recently snapped up Shay Conaty from Portadown and Brendan Shannon from Ards, insists a quarter-final place would be a massive boost – to either side.

“It will not be easy,” he added.

“I watched Knockbreda against Annagh United recently and they turned in a very polished performance.

“But if we produce the form that beat Bangor in the last round I would like to think it would be good enough to see us through.”