NAFL Border Regiment Cup final: Crumlin Star v Comber Rec (Friday, December 27, Seaview, 2.45pm)
CRUMLIN Star boss Paul Trainor had the worst Christmas ever last year after watching his side suffer Steel & Sons Cup final heartache to Comber Rec – but the Ardoyne men have the chance to avenge that defeat in the NAFL Border Cup final over the festive period.
‘Star were coasting in the first half of last season’s Steel final, but Comber came right back into it in the second half, forcing extra-time before Simon Hanna hit the winner for the Co Down men.
The search for the Holy Grail goes on for the highly rated Amateur League Premier Section outfit, while they hope to claim their fourth Border Cup on Friday under Trainor’s watch.
But last season’s Steel Cup defeat still stings.
“I felt like throwing cream potatoes all over the house,” Trainor said.
“It was the worst Christmas Day. We were excellent in the first half, should have been out of sight and Comber hung in there. I just thought the officials had a bad day and hopefully they’re better for this final. I’m not saying it cost us the Steel & Sons, but it cost us extra-time.”
Last Christmas, Paul McKeown’s Comber side were hoping to pull off an historic Steel and Border Cup double – but it proved a bridge too far as they were humbled by Willowbank 6-1 in the Border final a week later.
The sides have already squared up twice this season with Comber hammering ‘Star 5-1 in a Steel Cup round three game but the north Belfast men claimed a 3-2 league win later in the season.
Trainor is aiming to win his 10th major title having guided ‘Star to two Intermediate Cups, three Borders, a Clarence Cup and three NAFL Premier League titles.
“It’s brilliant to be in a cup final over the Christmas period,” said Trainor.
“Without being arrogant, being in cup finals over Christmas is a regular occurrence for Crumlin Star. Comber will bring a big crowd to Seaview and so will we, so it’s set up to be a cracking game.”
Both squads haven’t changed a great deal over the last 12 months – but ‘Star have unearthed a brilliant young striker this season.
Donal Cosgrove, brother of Larne’s Tomas, was signed from Crumlin United and is already nearing the 20-goal mark in Crumlin Star colours.
Their last league game – against Mossley on Thursday night – had to be abandoned due to an injury to Crumlin Star player Ciaran McNeill. Subsequently, the player’s injury didn’t turn out to be as serious as first thought.
“We’ve been a wee bit slower than normal to get going this season,” admitted the Crumlin Star boss.
“We’ve had five or six long-term injuries and I don’t particularly like going down the injury road and blaming that, but they are all definite starters.
“In saying that, we’re in the Border Cup final, we’re in contention for the league and the kids we’ve brought in have done very well.”
A few times over the past decade or more, Trainor has contemplated stepping away from the hotseat – but his decision to continue is made easier by having good players to choose from.
“It’s very, very hard at times but the players have been fantastic. When you have good players, it makes it a lot easier. We’ve our new facility at the Marrowbone, we’ve an U18 team up and running now and doing very, very under Anto Crawford, and we’re trying to introduce some of them into the reserves and move them up.
“I’ve still got the hunger to keep going, as long as the players don’t get fed up with me!”