IRISH CUP: Can Larne's fortress help deliver an upset?

If there's one place Irish Cup enthusiasts look to for a shock on January 7, it will likely be to Inver Park.
Larne's Chris Rodgers
 in action during last Saturday's 3-2 win over Dergview. Photo: PresseyeLarne's Chris Rodgers
 in action during last Saturday's 3-2 win over Dergview. Photo: Presseye
Larne's Chris Rodgers in action during last Saturday's 3-2 win over Dergview. Photo: Presseye

Davy McAlinden’s Larne have been drawn at home to the Premiership’s basement club Portadown.

And although the Ports are in the midst of welcoming new boss Niall Currie, the Invermen have a proud home record to protect.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

McAlinden said: “The tendency is that a club gets a massive lift with a new manager. I’d expect Niall to make that contribution but we have won every game at home this season bar against Crusaders.

“The Irish Cup is special so we’ll be hoping we can cause an upset. It’ll be good to welcome them to Inver and see if we can do that.

“I don’t think it’s what you would call an expected upset but I would hope it’ll be a competitive game and we’ll always be looking to win.

“This will show us exactly where we are and where we need to be. It will be an interesting game to say the least.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There are as many as four all-Premiership ties, meaning there will be some strong early fallers. McAlinden knows that could pave the way to an opportunity.

He said: “We won’t look beyond Portadown. They’re a Premiership club for a reason and Niall will give them fresh impetus. The flipside of that is that there are a lot of all-Premiership ties so that gives an opportunity for whoever gets to the sixth round to get a run, which would be nice for any small club.”