NW FOOTBALL: Damien McGee wants City Cup defeat to inspire Ardmore

McGee, whose side have already secured the Premier Division title and Summer Cup, is expecting a positive reaction.

“The boys were disappointed at losing the City Cup and they’ll be really up for this one as it has been a while since Ardmore won the Matt Morrison North West Junior Cup,” he said.

“I said to the boys the night we won the league at Foyle Wanderers, which was a couple of nights after the City Cup final defeat, I told them before the game ‘that we didn’t want to come back into the changing room with the same feeling after the City Cup final’, they were deflated after that cup final loss, but thankfully they won the league game and won the league and I’m sure they’ll have the same mentality going out against the Heights this Friday.”

Only a few weeks ago leading marksman Calvin McCallion reached the half century of goals this season and although the Ardmore gaffer would love to see the striker continue his goalscoring run, he doesn’t really mind who finds the back of the net.

“I don’t mind who gets the goals as long as we win the game,” he added.

I’m sure Calvin will want to get himself on the score-sheet but like myself I’m sure they’ll not mind who scores as long as we win the cup.”

McGee concedes he doesn’t know much about the Coleraine men, but like any finalists they will be a good side.

“I know absolutely nothing about them, I think they have a few ex-Coleraine Crusaders players, but in saying that they are in the final on merit and they didn’t get to the final without being a decent side, so we won’t be taking them for granted.”

McGee is hoping his side will have a good support backing them as he expects the Heights to have a good travelling support.

“Hopefully we’ll have a good few from Ardmore, I’m sure they’ll bring a good crowd with them, but as I said fingers crossed we’ll bring a decent support with us.”

As for Heights’ Johnny Gail he will be hoping it’s a case of third time lucky.

The Heights talisman has suffered heartache in his two previous North West Junior Cup final appearances.

“To win the NW Cup with the Heights would top any achievement I have done in all my years playing football, to do it with your home club were you grew up would be special,” he said.

“It’s a great achievement for the club , it’s been going through a restructure trying to attract more young players and we have probably over achieved in the first season since we have put it in place.”