Institute focus on league after Ards' Irish Cup appeal dismissed

Institute have an Irish Cup quarterfinal against Linfield to look forward to after Ards' appeal against their 1-0 defeat at the Brandywell last week was dismissed by the Irish FA Challenge Cup Committee. 

Last Saturday's game ended in a 1-0 win for 'Stute thanks to Mikhail Kennedy's early goal, after which the club celebrated a glamour draw in the last eight of the competition with David Healy's Blues set to come back to the Brandywell for the first time since 2018 on the weekend of March 2.

However, that has now been placed in doubt due to an appeal from Ards, who claim that they were not informed that Oisin Devlin, not named in the squad originally, had been named as a replacement substitute late on.

But the appeal was dismissed on Wednesday evening. A statement from the Irish Football Association read:

"The Irish FA Challenge Cup Committee met this evening and unanimously agreed not to uphold the protest received from Ards FC in relation to their Clearer Water Irish Cup round six tie against Institute on Saturday 3 February, 2024.

"The decision by the Challenge Cup Committee means Institute will play Linfield in the quarter-finals of this season's Irish Cup."

The decision was welcomed by Institute, who responded:

"Institute welcomes the IFA Challenge Cup Committee's decision not to uphold Ards' protest against the outcome of last Saturday's sixth round game. We now look forward to welcoming Linfield to the Brandywell, while also noting Ards' right to appeal the decision."

In the meantime, 'Stute, top of the IFA Championship, head to Ballinamallard this weekend hoping to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games. 'Stute have beaten Ballinamallard twice already this season, a 1-0 win at Ferney Park in September followed by a 1-0 win at the Brandywell in November.

Goalkeeper Gareth Muldoon, who starred in the win over Ards last week with a second half penalty save, believes that he and his team mates will be able to handle the pressure that comes with sitting on top of the table at this late stage.

"I think it's seven games until the split so we're coming into the run-in now and Ballinamallard is no easy task," he said.

"I know they are maybe not doing as well as they expected this year but I think it's always a tough place to go. It's a great facility and it's a great place to go, so we'll be confident.

"A lot of the players here have been in difficult situations in the last couple of years, such as fighting relegation, so a few of them understand pressure.

“It's a different type of pressure this year obviously but we are in a position where we are playing under pressure so it doesn't come unnaturally to us."

'Stute are in plenty of company at the top, with Portadown, Dundela and Bangor holding games in hand over the league leaders. Each point now is precious as the season heads towards the split with the chase for the title and promotion set to heat up with each passing game.

"What we just have to do now and I think what we've been doing all season, is take it a game each week, and get past one and focus on the next one," Muldoon continued.

"I feel like that is standing us in good stead so far, but we've done nothing yet and we've won nothing yet. It's important to remember that, because it's only the beginning of the journey and we're looking forward to seeing what's ahead."

Patience

Muldoon, now number one at 'Stute, has had to be patient to get his chance, but he is now set to play his 24th successive game, having proved himself to his manager.

"It's been a long time coming," he acknowledged. "I was actually here the first time that Deerso was here, so it's been seven years in the making.

Ards have put in an appeal over their 1-0 defeat at the Brandywell last week.

“I've always stayed confident and always stayed true to myself and kept working hard because I've always believed that if I got an opportunity I would take it and grab it with both hands, and I feel like I've done that.

I have to give it to the staff as well, because they took a chance on me and they believes in me and that's all I ever wanted was a chance and I knew that I would take it, so credit to Mo and Deerso and all the lads because I wouldn't be here without them.