Declan Devine is clear Glentoran “need to be challenging for honours” and has called on his players to seize their moment in Sunday’s BetMcLean Cup final against Linfield.

For the first time in 16 years, the Irish League’s ‘Big Two’ will meet in a showpiece decider in the latest chapter of a famous rivalry.

Glentoran haven’t won a League Cup crown since 2010 – they were beaten in last season’s final by Cliftonville – and their wait to celebrate more Gibson Cup glory has now extended to 17 years.

Devine’s men are making strides on both fronts having booked their spot in the Windsor Park final, while they’re only five points adrift of league leaders Larne with one match in hand.

placeholder image — Glentoran manager Declan Devine. (Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press)

Former Glentoran player Devine, who took over as boss in 2024, knows what it takes to be successful in East Belfast and insists the club need to be in these positions on a consistent basis.

"No team deserves success, you have to earn it, but Glentoran is a club that needs to be challenging for honours," said Devine. "You don't really understand the size of this place and the history attached to it until you are here.

"But I think that's something which should be embraced, it's not something you should feel the weight of.

"When you play here or you are manager you have the chance to write yourself into the proud history of Glentoran FC.

"What a fantastic honour it would be to be mentioned alongside some of the greats who have represented this club with distinction down the years, winning multiple honours and who are still talked about to this day.

"We are at the start of our journey here, but our goal is to be challenging for honours on a regular basis and ultimately to win as many as we can.

"We know what it means to the fans to have a successful team and we want to make special memories for them.

"They have been magnificent for us all season coming out in their numbers in all weathers to get behind their team.

"That support doesn't go unnoticed, and it has helped us get over the line so many times already this season.

"I know it will be no different come Sunday. They will be out in force cheering us on for the entire game. We are determined to do all we can to give them a day to remember."

Devine has enjoyed notable success against Linfield during his Glentoran reign, picking up wins in the Premiership, League Cup and Irish Cup last term, while his side also secured victory on Boxing Day.

"I'm expecting another typical Big Two game on Sunday with no quarter asked or given," he added. "We all know what these games are like, there is usually very little to choose between the teams with the players giving it everything.

"As with all games against your biggest rivals bragging rights are at stake but the fact this is a final with a trophy up for grabs just raises this up another few notches.

"It will also be a packed house with the passionate supporters cheering on their team so it is going to be spicy.

"These are the sort of games you want to be involved in as a player, manager or a supporter because of the intensity.

"But as I said it will only be one to remember if you come out on the right side of the result.

"We know it is going to be a tough game and we know we are going to have to be at our best and work hard on the day to secure the trophy.

"You also need a bit of good fortune on the day as well as our last meeting with Linfield when we played well, created some good chances but we couldn't find a goal and ultimately lost the game.

"So there's a number of factors you need to go your way to win a final, but we can only control what we do and first and foremost we have to make sure we perform on the day and hopefully the rest will take care of itself."