Dungannon Swifts star seeking Irish Cup redemption - 12 months after losing final to boyhood club

Gordon, who came through the Swifts’ youth ranks before returning as a senior star in January, was on the opposite side to his local team at Windsor Park 12 months ago, starting for the Reds in a tie which went all the way to penalties.

Dungannon came out on the right side, producing a perfect set of spot-kicks to seal the club’s maiden competition crown, while Gordon was left to reflect on what could have been.

Having helped Cliftonville end their 45-year wait for Irish Cup glory the previous year, Gordon is now entering a third consecutive final fuelled by a desire to collect his second winners’ medal.

"It was definitely tough last year coming out on the wrong side of it,” said Gordon. “But when you look back on it now, as tough it is losing finals, Dungannon deserved it on the day probably.

"Being from Dungannon, to see how they reacted as a town, it was brilliant for the town.

"Seeing how well it was received, they've almost become heroes from last season.

"Hopefully we can replicate that again this year and go back-to-back, and be heroes even more...that's the history we're chasing.”

It was his education at Dungannon which helped Gordon seal a dream move to England with Sheffield United in 2014, signing a first professional contract two years later.

He ultimately never made a league appearance at Bramall Lane, moving on to Motherwell and Partick Thistle before returning home to the Irish League with Larne in 2022, helping the Inver Reds secure a maiden Premiership title.

With opportunities limited at Cliftonville earlier this season, Gordon returned to familiar surroundings, now working once again with Rodney McAree and Dixie Robinson, who played key roles in his early development.

"Sometimes it comes down to game time and a wee bit of freshness as well,” he added. “Rod, Dixie and the people around the club, I've known them for so long.

"I'm from Dungannon originally, I came through the youth at Dungannon, so when that opportunity came around, it was a no-brainer.

"I probably wouldn't have left Cliftonville for anywhere else, I was enjoying my time at Cliftonville – maybe not playing as much as I'd like, but still enjoying it.

"I loved the club when I was there, but when Dungannon came calling, it was about playing football and competing...it was a no-brainer.”

A large majority of Dungannon’s current squad were present for last year’s triumph – retired captain Dean Curry and goalscorer John McGovern, who earned a move to Shamrock Rovers after the final, are the only two starters who have departed the Co Tyrone club.

New skipper Gael Bigirimana was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his stunning performance and his big-game experience could prove crucial.

Bigirimana has played – and scored – in the Premier League for Newcastle United alongside representing his country, and will once again pull the strings in Dungannon’s defence mission.

With most of the changing room aware of what to expect across Saturday’s schedule, Gordon hopes it can act as an advantage – but isn’t taking opponents Coleraine lightly.

The Bannsiders, who finished second in the Premiership after scoring a league-high 83 goals, have star quality scattered throughout their team and are looking to round out Ruaidhri Higgins’ maiden season on a silverware high.

"Yeah, I think it's massive when you've got experience of cup finals,” said Gordon. “Gael was brilliant last year, he's played in massive games as well.

"He shows his leadership in the big games, and then you've got Rod, who's been there and done it as well.

"That spreads throughout the group. Players who maybe haven't been around for as long, they can lean on the experience of the older and more experienced players, that's always helpful.

"Coleraine are a brilliant team with really good players, there's no doubt about that, and they’ve a really good manager.

"They've shown this season the quality they've got. We're under no illusions, it's not going to be an easy game, it never is, especially in a final.

"We'll probably go into it as underdogs, but it's cup football, and at the end of the day, that's (underdog tag) not important.

"We'll be giving Coleraine respect because they're a serious football team.”