LINFIELD ACE TARGETING ANOTHER IRISH CUP FINAL WITH WIN OVER 'BIGGEST FOES'

Matthew Clarke craves the satisfaction of beating Linfield's "biggest foes" to reach another Irish Cup final.

The Blues take on Glentoran in the semi-finals of the blue riband competition on Friday night at the Oval. David Healy's men are targeting a trophy treble this season, while the Glens are looking to salvage some success - and pride - following a turbulent campaign that recently saw the departure of Warren Feeney.

Declan Devine has stepped into the breach at the Oval, with the Glens winning both their games since the managerial change.

And Clarke accepts Linfield's derby rivals would love nothing more than getting one over the Blues in the showpiece cup competition.

He said: "The semi-final is going to be very tough. Glentoran now have Decky Devine in as interim manager after Feeno left. We know what we need to do if we want to reach another final.

"You expect a bounce from Glentoran after bringing a new manager in. And to be honest anything that has happened in the past is irrelevant for a game like this. Everything goes out the window, including form.

"Anything can happen on the night. It is the Big Two and it is the semi-final of the Irish Cup. Hopefully we can put in a performance and put ourselves in another final."

He added: "The Irish Cup is the biggest day in our football calendar and it is an unbelievable day. It would be nice to get to another one. And there would be no better way to reach the final than beating your biggest foes. Fingers crossed we can go and put in a big performance and see where it takes us.

"The players love these games, just like the manager. We know what it means to each other, and more importantly we know what it means to the fans. The Glens will say the same, they are a passionate bunch as well.

"I have been lucky enough over the years to come out on the right side of a fair majority of these games. But when you do lose, it is a horrible, horrible feeling and it can take days to get over. They are massive games, and for a player in this country, to play in as many Big Two games as I have, I feel very fortunate.

"What is there not to like about these games. If you can't get up for them then there is something wrong with you."

Clarke admits he was surprised to see Feeney exit Glentoran this season, but believes the former Northern Ireland striker was "up against it from the start" because of his previous spell as Linfield manager.

The 30-year-old - who worked under Feeney during his time at Windsor Park - said: "Feeno replaced Davy (Jeffrey) just after I signed, so I worked with Feeno at Linfield for a year or so. I got on well with him. I was probably a bit surprised when he left Glentoran. I think he was under pressure from the start, given his Linfield background.

"I think he was up against it from the start, and the pressure eventually took its toll. You are always under the spotlight with a Big Two club, and sometimes there is no escape from it."

The Blues - who sit second in the Premiership with six games remaining - have already won the League Cup this season.

And Clarke admits it would be a dream to add to their trophy haul - and potentially lift the treble.

"The league is another massive challenge. We know we need to win every single game from now to the end of the season. If we win every game we know where it will take us, we will be champions. But it is such a tough ask," he said.

"We have six league games remaining and then the Irish Cup. It is a huge run in for us. This is the business end to the season and every fixture is huge.

"The Irish Cup final is the best day of the football calendar. I have been fortunate to win it twice and I would love to win it again. And the celebrations aren't too bad, either. It would be nice to chalk another one off. We have won the League Cup and we have another two trophies to fight for."

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2024-03-28T12:48:38Z dg43tfdfdgfd