Elliott Morris delighted to play his part in more glory

It had been something of a frustrating season for the Oval stalwart as he found himself playing second fiddle to Marijan Antolović for most of the season.

And when he did get an opportunity to play it was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With football back on the horizon again the 39-year-old didn’t know who would get the nod from boss Mick McDermott.

But thankfully for him he was handed the gloves in the semi-final and he proved his worth saving two penalties in the win over Cliftonville.

Despite a few aches and pains he showed his worth again in the cup triumph on Friday night, and it was one to savour for Morris.

“I was very frustrated around Christmas time,” he explained after the game.

“I could take it when we were winning and we went on that long unbeaten run, but we had that bit of a blip around Christmas and I thought I might get a chance.

“It didn’t come, but I stayed professional and focused and kept myself ready.

“I eventually got in against Carrick and did well, then against Crusaders in the Cup quarter-final in horrendous conditions, and finally against Cliftonville when we got beat before the pandemic hit.

“I didn’t think I was going to play in the semi-final, thankfully I did and it turned out to be an unbelievable decision!

“I am hungry for more, but I’m realistic I can’t play 50 games a season any more.

“On Wednesday my knee and my back were sore after playing on Monday, I was sore all over.

“I was thinking about saying to Mick. I had to take some painkillers over the last few days to get out on the pitch tonight.

“I still want to play. I can play 10 or 15 games, but I can’t play 50. I know that.

“As I say I still want to play and be involved.

“I think one more year as a player then I’ll take a big step back.

“I still want to play games, but how many isn’t my decision.

“We will have to assess it once we go through Europe .”

Morris has been through the good times and the bad during his 19-year spell with the Glens.

But he feels this will be the catalyst for more success for the club.

“I think what was going to happen without this was going to be unbelievable, but this on top of what Mick, Ali and ‘Windy’ have done is going to catapult us,” continued Morris.

“I’m not saying we’re going to be serious challengers, but we are going to be serious challengers!

“I have to be that confident. When you look at the players we have and the players we’re going to bring in.

“The money that’s available to us now is going to change the club again.”

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