'It's massive for a couple of different reasons': Irish League managers react to Irish Cup fifth round draw
Crusaders manager Declan Caddell recognises the difficulty of being drawn against league leaders Coleraine in the Irish Cup fifth round – but insists his side will relish the challenge.
The Crues’ trip to The Showgrounds on January 9 or 10 is the headline tie of the round alongside Larne’s trip to Ballymena United.
Caddell’s men have been beaten twice by Coleraine in the Premiership this season and sit 10th following Saturday’s defeat to Portadown with the Crusaders chief labelling it their “worst day of the season so far”.
Having won the competition four times as a player, Caddell knows what it takes to succeed in the Irish Cup.
"It’s tough,” he said. “I’m probably just getting over Saturday’s result and then you hit me with that one which isn’t ideal!
"It’s a tough game. It’s a great competition to be involved in, probably a welcome distraction from the league campaign, and one we will be going in, as every team will, with confidence of progressing to the next round.
"Coleraine have shown this season how good of a team they are, flying high at the top of the league. It’s a difficult place to go but we’re looking forward to it.”
Gary Haveron is aiming to become the first manager to lead Larne to Irish Cup glory, which also comes with the added benefit of booking a place in Europe.
"You’re going to have to beat Premiership teams eventually if you’re to win it, so why not in the first round?” he said. “It (Irish Cup) is massive for a couple of different reasons.
"Larne have never won it before so it would be lovely to be the first team to lift it for our fans. The route into Europe is something every team will want to keep alive.
"It’s a big day out, a day for the fans, and a showpiece game that you want to be involved in.”
Former Cliftonville midfielder – and previous Irish Cup winner – Barry Johnston has joined Oran Kearney’s backroom staff at Ballymena United and feels his side have been handed one of the toughest possible draws.
"If you’re going to win it, at some stage you’re going to have to play and beat the top teams,” he said. “It doesn’t get much tougher than Larne.
"It’s a tough one, but at least we’re at home.”
On becoming assistant manager to Kearney, Johnston added: "It all happened pretty quickly.
"Oran phoned me last week and asked if I would be interested in being part of the management team...someone of his stature in our game, it was very hard to say no.
"I don’t think I even slept on it, I just said yes straight away and thankfully he got the job.”
FULL IRISH CUP FIFTH ROUND DRAW: Lisburn Distillery vs Warrenpoint Town, Coleraine vs Crusaders, Portadown vs Annagh United, Comber Rec vs Ballymacash Rangers, Ballinamallard United vs Institute, Glenavon vs Newington, Dungannon Swifts vs Ards, Carrick Rangers vs Queen’s University, Lisburn Rangers vs Limavady United, Ballymena United vs Larne, Armagh City vs Drumaness MillS, Knockbreda vs Loughgall, Moyola Park vs H&W Welders, Linfield vs Bangor, Cliftonville vs Dundela, Strabane Athletic vs Glentoran.