Irish Cup run can help with our Championship results, says Loughgall striker Kirk McLaughlin
After three previous attempts failed to go ahead – Loughgall and Knockbreda are set to finally clash for a spot in the sixth-round of the Clearer Water Irish Cup.
The first tie at Breda Park failed a pitch inspection last month, and due to the ground not having floodlights, the game was then switched to Loughgall’s home ground of Lakeview Park.
However, the weather wasn’t any better as two previous goes at playing the fixture never materialised due to a waterlogged surface at the Co Armagh venue.
But there is set to be no issues this time around as Championship side Loughgall welcome their foes from the league below.
The winners of the tie will host Institute in Saturday’s sixth-round and Loughgall ace Kirk McLaughlin is hoping the Villagers will progress through.
"It would be nice to get the win, get through in the Irish Cup and see how far we can go in the competition,” said McLaughlin, who hails from Ballymoney.
"Getting as far as we can would build momentum and also help the club financially but we won’t be taking Knockbreda lightly.
"We do know that a good run in the Irish Cup could help us gain confidence for our Championship duties, where we’ve probably drawn too many games to be honest."
McLaughlin joined forces at Loughgall in January last year after an undisclosed fee was agreed with Coleraine.
He admits the lure of game time was too hard to turn down and how he is enjoying working under Darren Murphy.
He explained: “I felt I played well towards the end of last season in the Premiership but going to a place where I was going to play was really important.
"We have so many good strikers here the likes of Paul McElroy, Aaron Prendergast and Darragh Stewart, so you’re constantly fighting for your place which is good.
"Since Darren has arrived, he set out a clear way in terms of how he wants us to play and the results just probably haven’t been what we wanted at times.
"If you look at it...we haven’t lost too many games but there have been too many draws.
"Of course, I’d love to play in the Premiership again and score goals at that level, and hopefully that becomes a reality at some point in the future with Loughgall.”