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Derg boss looking forward to Ducks clash Posted: 9:15 am April 30, 2021
By Tommy Nethery
GIVEN the circumstances, Dergview boss Ivan Sproule believes that more than ever winning Saturday’s Irish Cup tie will come down to whichever team wants it more on the day.
Both Dergview and Ballinamallard go into the eagerly-awaited cup-tie, which will be played in front of empty stands at Ferney Park, with limited preparation time following a period of four months with little or no activity.
It’s been far from an ideal situation for both clubs and Sproule admits build up has been anything but normal.
Sadler s Peaky Blinder Irish Cup round one preview
It has been a long time coming and it will be the most unusual of competitions, reflective of these most unusual of times, but the 2020/21 edition of the Sadler s Peaky Blinder Irish Cup is finally upon us.
Despite a reduced number of clubs taking part there is still a keen sense of anticipation in the air ahead of tonight s seven first round ties (kick-off 7:45pm), with a further three to be decided on Saturday.
With holders Glentoran receiving a bye into the next round much attention will instead be focused on league leaders Linfield who welcome Annagh United to Windsor Park, a game to be streamed live on BBC NI and iPlayer.
Before the 23-player squad could hit the hallowed turf of Ferney Park though, the very important matter of Covid tests had to be carried out on players and coaching staff.
“You’re sitting there and you’re hoping it’s a straight line, those are wee things that are not the norm” says Ballinamallard manager, Harry McConkey.
But after 14 weeks of no football due to restrictions, he admits some people were a little apprehensive about it all.
“Some of the players and coaches, who you’d think would be well used to dealing with situations of planning and everything else, they had a wee nerve in their tummies because they had been away so long.
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