Portadown’s very own Crazy Gang can create their own piece of Cup history, says Niall Currie

Niall Currie's team will face Linfield in the 2024 BetMcLean Cup Final

Wimbledon's Lawrie Sanchez and Dave Beasant celebrate their side's shock win over Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup Final

The memories of a painful experience deep in his past is providing Niall Currie with encouragement as he attempts to pull off a major against the odds victory.

Currie has guided Portadown through the choppy waters of three ties against Premiership opposition to reach the final of the BetMcLean Cup, beating derby rivals Glenavon 1-0 in Tuesday night’s semi-final thanks to Ryan Mayse’s penalty after previously seeing off Crusaders and Loughgall in earlier rounds.

A much bigger challenge awaits on Sunday March 10, the magnitude of which doesn’t come much bigger in Irish League football – facing Linfield on their own Windsor Park turf.

Currie is under no illusions as to the size of the task that lies in front of his Championship promotion chasers, but the events of 35 years ago, when Wimbledon produced arguably the biggest shock in FA Cup history to break the heart of the then 15-year-old Liverpool devotee, tells him that it’s not mission impossible.

“For any Championship side to get to a senior final is a marvellous achievement,” said Currie.

“Now that we have got there I don’t think there is any point going into the game if you don’t believe that you can win it.

“This is what football is about. If Wimbledon can beat my Liverpool team in the FA Cup final then there is hope for all of us.

“Linfield will be overwhelming favourites, but we’re in the final and when you go to a final you give it your all and I have absolutely no doubt that my players will give every drop that they have.”

The Ports’ run to the semi-final was already a remarkable