'Underdogs' Institute want to give club a lift by reaching quarter-final stage of the Irish Cup
Institute manager Peter Hutton believes his side will go into Saturday’s Irish Cup sixth-round tie away at Loughgall as underdogs but knows a positive result can give everyone a lift at the club.
The two Championship teams meet at Lakeview Park on Saturday afternoon as a spot in the quarter-final stage is up for grabs.
Hutton is set to name a youthful squad for the clash as his numbers have been restricted due to injuries and suspensions.
However, he knows that it will give everyone involved with the club a boost if they can prevail against Darren Murphy’s men.
He said: “Loughgall are a good, experienced side who were in the Premiership last season.
"They have a lot of players with top-flight games behind them and I’m sure they had aspirations to go straight back up this season, which looks like it isn’t going to happen.
"We know it’s going be a tough ask and we will go there as underdogs. I’m going to have eight 17 or 18-year-olds travelling down due to our squad numbers being down.
"We have lost Evan Tweed to suspension and Brendan Barr will be out for a while as he is recovering from an operation last week.
"We honestly aren’t looking at the prospect of reaching the quarter-final as first and foremost we need to win on Saturday. A prolonged Cup run can set the tempo for the rest of the season and it gives everyone a lift heading into league games."
‘Stute edged out Ballinamallard United in the previous round and Hutton reflected on how playing teams from their own division has its positives and negatives.
“It helps in terms of knowing what to expect,” he shared.
"If you’re playing a team in the Premiership it’s also easier to prepare due to the exposure of the league and the easier access to obtain clips and footage.
"However, you can also be over familiar in a sense and perhaps overthink things when you play teams so often in a short space of time.
"There are definitely benefits and negatives to it...but it’s nothing we can change.”
Institute’s squad was boosted late in the transfer window with the arrival of winger Tiernan Brolly on loan from Coleraine.
The teenager made the temporary switch to the Brandywell after scoring three times for the Bannsiders in nine appearances across all competitions.
When asked about what the NI youth international can bring to his squad for the business end of the season, Hutton replied: “I coached Tiernan before at Derry City, so there’s a link there.
"He brings a great energy to the group, he’s honest, he makes great runs, can take a tackle, and has good timing in terms of getting on the end of things.
"He is still learning his trade in the game and we are delighted to help in his development.”
Loughgall reached the sixth-round after a 2-0 win against Knockbreda on Tuesday night.
The game finally got played at the fourth time of asking after three previous failed pitch inspections.