Annagh United bid for club history 'extra special' to Irish League boss Ciaran McGurgan
History is set to be made on Wednesday night as either Annagh United or Rathfriland Rangers will get their hands on the Mid-Ulster Senior Cup for the very first time.
The two teams meet in the showpiece decider at Stangmore Park as both clubs aim to etch their names into the history books.
Annagh United have beaten Banbridge Town and top-flight duo Glenavon and Portadown en-route to the final, whilst Premier Intermediate League side Rathfriland proved too strong for Newry City AFC, Irish Cup holders Dungannon Swifts and Armagh City.
Ciaran McGurgan, who has managed more than 300 games for Portadown-based Annagh, is well aware of what’s at stake for both teams.
"It would be extra special to be the first manager of Annagh to win the Mid-Ulster Cup,” said McGurgan, who is also a former player and has long-standing family ties due to his father Brian serving the club in a variety of roles. "The club has lost three previous finals, so it would be nice for everyone connected to the club if we can go one further.
"The final provides us with an opportunity to win the competition and we won’t be taking Rathfriland lightly.
"To be honest, all the teams who are in the Mid-Ulster Cup are good, but we’ve definitely had a hard run to get to the final.
"We just don’t want to fall at the last hurdle.
"Both teams have plenty of fixtures to catch up on so it’s great that the final is being played on the synthetic surface at Dungannon.
"It means that the game should be played and it’s a great venue for it.”
Annagh are currently in a three-way battle at the summit of the Championship for a crack at earning promotion to the top-flight next season.
McGurgan believes winning silverware can help prove to be a catalyst to make their Premiership dreams a reality.
He explained: “We will likely freshen things up as we are back in Championship duty on Saturday.
"Rathfriland are a big, physical side with quality players and they have a real goal threat...so we won’t be taking them lightly.
"I’ve said it for a while now that Ruari Fitzpatrick is good enough to play in the Premiership.
"Winning becomes a habit and if we can earn some silverware then it should give our players hunger for more and help us kick on in the league.”