CSNI and Lisburn set for Junior Cup decider

Lisburn have won this competition eight times – the most recent being a triumph over Cliftonville in 2016 – and will be hoping they can add to their tally after falling short in last year’s final to Laurelvale.

Gavin McGill’s side managed to get revenge on their County Armagh opponents earlier in the current campaign by beating them narrowly in the quarter-finals and Laurelvale will also play host to today’s final.

It has been a special year for Lisburn as a club with the first team reaching a maiden Irish Senior Cup final while they could lift the Robinson Services Premier League title this afternoon if they beat North Down and CIYMS fail to get past CSNI at Belmont.

Their third team have also booked a spot in the Minor (Lindsay) Cup final later this month and McGill is looking to get the party started by bringing home the first piece of silverware in what could be a historic month.

“Last year we had a great league season and cup run but we stumbled at the last hurdle against a strong Laurelvale outfit,” he said.

“Overcoming them earlier in this cup run has given us extra incentive to go on and win it this year. We haven’t quite reached the same heights in the league so the cup final is our main focus.

“The club is on a real high at the moment. The success of the firsts has created a real buzz about the place and this has trickled down throughout the senior and junior teams and burgeoning women’s section.

“Coupled with an excellent support base, dedicated volunteers and an aspirational management committee there is no reason why that success cannot continue into the future.”

Lisburn have had to navigate their way past senior opposition at every stage of their 2022 run, beating Victoria by six wickets in the first round