Stephen Baxter eyes Irish Cup hat-trick

The former striker built up an impressive medal haul during a 20-year playing career in the Irish League but the Cup was the one that got away.

He put the record straight in 2009 two years after taking over the Seaview hot-seat as mark Dickson’s goal was enough to see off north Belfast rivals Cliftonville and win a first Irish Cup for the Crues in 41 years.

A decade later he added a second as the Hatchetmen eased past Championship side Ballinamallard United 3-0 in the final.

Now Baxter is hoping to repeat the feat and add a third cup medal to his trophy cabinet.

“The Irish Cup eluded me as a player,” said the Crusaders boss.

“I got into one final while at Linfield, which we lost to Glenavon.

“I think I probably lost a dozen semi-finals over the course of my career at Crusaders and Linfield.

“Some players never get to a final and go through a whole career of maybe never winning a trophy or a medal.

“To do it once is great, but to go on and do it two, three, four or five times is amazing.

“But you never take any of this stuff for granted.

“You have to work exceptionally hard to get here, and you have to work exceptionally hard to win it, and if you’re lucky enough to do it you want to come back and do it again.”

Mark Dickson’s goal back in 2009 kickstarted a hugely successful period for the Crues and Baxter is hoping that a win this afternoon can do something similar with his current squad.

“In the first half of the year we probably didn’t score enough goals,” he said.

“We’ve found a little bit of form in the back end of the season.

“We’ve been there or thereabouts with the top teams all season, there’s been very little in it really.

“Can an Irish Cup win kick start something? Probably the answer is yes.

“Being successful