Comber Rec and Crumlin Star to play in Steel & Sons Cup Final at Seaview on Christmas Day
On Christmas Day all roads will lead to the Crusader’s Seaview stadium in Belfast for the final of the Steel & Sons Cup Final between Comber Rec and Crumlin Star writes Jim Masson.
This promises to be a sizzling soccer spectacle with both teams looking forward to lifting the coveted trophy. But there can only be one winner.
The Steel & Sons final is played traditionally on Christmas Day early. The Cup itself was donated to the now Antrim and District Football Association back in 1895 by Mr David Steel, a wholesale jeweller and silversmith based on Royal Avenue in Belfast.
The home of the final is now at Seaview in Belfast at the Crusaders 4G pitch.
Comber has won the cup previously back in the 1991-92 season and were runners up in 1999-2000 against Dundela. And in 1996-7, Comber were also nudged out by Chimney Corner by 2-1.
The Chairman of the Country Antrim and District Football Association, Michael Preston, said, speaking at the launch at Seaview today: ” This is a great competition. It has been going for 128 years and is the highlight of the amateur football calendar.
“It is always a well contested match and I wish both teams all the very best in the final this year. Let’s hope the weather stays good so all the spectators can enjoy a great game of football.”
Comber Rec manager Gareth McKeown was upbeat and said: “We got promoted to the Premier League a couple of years ago after I became manager moving up from the NAFL Division 1A. The lads have trained well since then and stuck together and have a superb camaraderie.
“There are no major fitness issues in the team. We train on Monday and Wednesday and are always fit for the match on Saturday. The Wilson brothers do a great job up front, and although midfielder Kris Gaw is slightly injured at the moment, I hope he is match fit for the big day.
“Kris has been a warrior and battled his way through the qualifiers so it would be nice to see him on the pitch on the day.
“We did take a loss against East Belfast on Saturday past but Matthew Tumilson was absent due to a suspension but he will be well rested up for the final.
“I’m impressed with the Comber team. They have gelled well together and are well disciplined, and certainly have the guts to win a cup. They keep the ball well, and pass effectively, and just don’t give up until the final whistle.”
Comber Rec captain Simon Hanna said: ” The squad is fully fit and looking forward to the final against Crumlin Star. It will be a tough match but I think we can do it.
“I’ve been captain now for just over six years and have the respect of the players and it is easier to keep them calm and focussed on the job in hand when the pressure builds up.
“We have a great team spirit and everyone looks after their mates in the squad. We are all delighted to see our team progress through to the Steel & Sons cup final, and we have made it to the Border Cup Final too which is a plus.
“The next two weeks will hopefully see us take some silver back to Parkway. We had really big support from our supporters at Comber who were in full song throughout. And they will be there too on Christmas day.”
The Comber Rec team have an excellent facility at Parkway in Comber with a well managed grass pitch and a clubhouse and bar to add to the comfort for the supporters and spectators.
Crumlin Star manager Paul Trainor was also looking forward to the final and said: “I’ve managed the team for eight years now and they are in good shape for the big day.
“They have a clean bill of health with no injuries and not suspensions hanging over their heads. We’ve been to two semi-finals in the last couple of years and it is about time now for our luck to turn.
“The players are dedicated to the task and they train twice a week, and we have team chats, so they are well focussed for the task in hand on Christmas Day.
‘”We’ve had good news recently too as we’ve acquired the facility at Old Park Road with a 3G pitch and clubhouse etc. So we will be settling into that soon and the team will have an excellent facility to work from. The team will further develop from here.”
And Crumlin Star captain Niall Hawkins added that “Our players were all looking forward to the final against Comber Rec.
“Overall we have lost three semi-finals in the Steel & Sons Cup and feel it is our time now to win it. So we are looking forward to a great game on Christmas Day. Success will have been a long time coming.”
So, the dye is cast. Both teams and making the final preparations for the Steel & Sons Cup Final.
To reach the final, Comber Rec in the five qualifying matches scored 21 goals for and were 3 against, while Crumlin Star were 13 goals for with 8 against.
So, on paper, Comber Rec has the scoring and defensive capability to lift the cup on the big day on form, but so much rests on chance. And Comber Rec captain Simon Hanna has his feet well on the ground.
