Romance of the Irish Cup still a massive hook for Loughgall boss Darren Murphy
With two winners’ medals to his name – Darren Murphy has opened up on his love for the Irish Cup.
The current Loughgall supremo lifted the competition as a Glenavon player in 1997, before getting his hands on the famous trophy yet again in 2002 as Linfield beat Portadown in the showpiece decider.
There were two final defeats to contend with, as well as several semi-final losses, but Murphy’s love for the most coveted cup prize in the local game is not up for debate.
"The Irish Cup has always been special to me,” he explained.
"When I look back on it...I was fortunate to win it in 1997 at Glenavon and then 2002 with Linfield.
"The league is and always will be the main priority but the romance of the Cup is brilliant.
"With the landscape of the Irish League changing in the last seven or eight years, it’s probably more difficult for teams to win.
"I know not many people would have fancied Dungannon last year but they had been building on success since they got promoted way back in 2003. I’d argue that their victory will give great hope to teams in and around them.
"You obviously need some luck and good draws but it just brings back special memories. I’ve lost count the amount of semi-finals I lost but I always tell people that they are worse than losing finals because you want to be a part of the big occasion.”
Murphy takes his Loughgall side to Knockbreda in Saturday’s fifth-round tie and he is expecting a stiff test against their Premier Intermediate League opposition.
He stated: “The Irish Cup is a different day for the players and it’s a break from the domestic league.
"It’s a different challenge but we know it’s a tough one away at Knockbreda. It is a tough place to go and the fact it’s an early kick-off means we have to adjust to timings and everything else.
"That can be a challenge but that’s the nature of the Irish Cup and it’s one we are looking forward to.”
Murphy is a full-time manager at Lakeview Park and he openly discussed the positives and negatives of his reign so far.
"People always say relegated clubs are a certainty to get promoted...but it’s always going to be difficult,” he stressed.
"I think we had a turnover of more than 20 players in the summer, so it was going to take time.
"We have probably drawn too many games this season but I’ve enjoyed it so far. I’m overseeing the Academy, the NIFL Academy squads and the first-team set-up. We are also trying to get our senior ladies team back up and running.
"It’s been challenging and there’s not much point telling you otherwise. The one thing I have noticed in the Championship is that the teams around us have grown...you look at the likes of Limavady, Annagh and H&W Welders who are all striving to reach the promised land.
"However, I do feel that the gap is widening to the top-flight and the jump is more difficult than it’s ever been.
"I’m trying to help the football club rebuild itself but the finances since relegation have had a big impact.”