IRISH CUP: Michael Carvill targets double delight with Crusaders

Michael Carvill is refusing to allow the Irish Cup to slip down the priority list at Crusaders.
Dungannons Ryan Harpur with Crusaders defender Billy Joe BurnsDungannons Ryan Harpur with Crusaders defender Billy Joe Burns
Dungannons Ryan Harpur with Crusaders defender Billy Joe Burns

The Crues are chasing a league and cup double, and moved another step closer with this sixth-round win at Stangmore Park.

While retaining the championship is the priority for most at Seaview, Carvill is placing equal emphasis on the cup.

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And he believes a good run in the competition can boost their title hopes.

“It’s massive because when you’re going for the league, the longer you stay in the cup, the more the momentum keeps going,” he said.

“You don’t want to have a week off – you want to keep pushing.

“The Irish Cup final is the biggest day in the calendar in the local game.

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“We’re delighted to be in the quarter-finals and hopefully we can go even further.”

Crusaders made a flying start and were ahead after 11 minutes.

Andy Mitchell was not picked up as he ventured forward, and scored via a low, right-foot effort from outside the box.

A lapse in the visitors’ line-up ended with Ryan Harpur teeing up Cormac Burke, who swept home a first-time strike to level the tie.

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Jordan Owens’ cross caused chaos in the home back line, and Carvill reacted first to direct the ball towards goal.

The Crues’ progress was sealed when they made it 3-1 on the hour.

Carvill sent a teasing cross into the box, and Douglas Wilson turned the ball into his own net under pressure from Owens.

A late penalty miss by Billy-Joe Burns mattered little as the Crues eased through to the quarter-finals for the seventh year in a row.

Carvill added: “It was a good performance.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game. We had a bit of a shaky start but we settled down and played some good stuff.”