Ballyclare boss Stephen Small out to write a golden chapter in his own Irish Cup story

The Irish Cup was not particularly kind to Stephen Small during his playing career

Stephen Small’s Irish Cup memories are far from golden — his playing career ended when Larne were thumped 5-1 in the 2005 decider.

He was also part of the Cliftonville side that lost 1-0 to Glenavon in the 1997 showpiece at Windsor Park, while the 1999 Final wasn’t even played as the Reds had fielded an ineligible player in the semi-final and Portadown walked off with the trophy.

Small is now craving better Irish Cup fortune as a manager. His Ballyclare Comrades side are looking to stun Glentoran at the BetMcLean Oval on Saturday and to do that they will need to produce an even bigger performance than the one that conquered Dungannon Swifts in the previous round.

Former Carrick boss Small hoped to bow out as a player with a Cup winners medal but football doesn’t always serve up a fairytale ending.

“It’s not a memory I like to talk about too much but I probably could have played on another year,” said Small. “I decided to make the Final with Larne against Portadown my last game.

“It was a great year and we enjoyed it but Portadown were really good on the day with Vinny Arkins, Gary Hamilton and Mickey Collins on form. We took the lead through Neil Ogden and they just came alive and battered us 5-1. No-one expected Larne to win that Final.

“I played for Cliftonville in the 1997 Final when we lost 1-0 to Glenavon. From a playing point of view, the Irish Cup is the only trophy that escaped me.

“That Glenavon side had top players like Mark Glendinning, Lee Doherty and Spike (Glenn) Ferguson.

“Then there was the Final that never was when Portadown were awarded the trophy.

“The good thing about it is there is luck attached and if you have a few