Cockhill Celtic eye historic milestone as they aim to reach FAI Junior Cup Final

Cockhill Celtic boss Gavin Cullen knows his team are in a unique position on Sunday as they plan on becoming the first Inishowen side to reach an FAI Junior Cup final when they battle Pike Rovers of Limerick at Jackman Park (kick-off, 1pm.) 

The Inishowen Premier Division leaders travelled to Tipperary last month where they overcame Clonmel Celtic 2-0 to reach the last four of the competition with goals from Jack Mullan and Luke Rudden sealing the deal for the visitors.   

“It’s something we’re really looking forward to,” said Cullen. “Obviously, when you get to this stage of a national tournament it’s exciting for the players and the club, and of course, we know how big of an honour it is to be involved”. 

With the semi-final taking place in Limerick at the weekend, Cockhill will make the long journey down to Munster the day before to ready themselves for what will be a difficult task. 

“We’ll be travelling on Saturday down to Limerick, the match is on their county’s league pitch, so it’ll technically be a home game for them. 

“But look, that doesn’t bother us. We’ll go down and prepare as best we can, it makes no difference to us where the game is played. 

“All we can do is go out and play our own game and hopefully it works out for us.” 

As one of the top teams in their county, Pike Rovers will take huge momentum coming into this game after they put their name on the Ger Ryan Cup for the first time in their history last Saturday evening when they just edged out Regional United in a dramatic final that saw a last-minute winner by Aaron Cusack decide the contest. 

Cullen is just focused on his own team but draws comparisons between his own Cockhill side and Pike Rovers. 

“I would say from the knowledge I have of the opposition that they would probably be a very similar team to ourselves,” Cullen explained. “In Limerick, there would be no intermediate football so junior football is the top level in that area of the country. 

“I know from studying them that they’re strong lads with good experience and who are familiar with winning titles. 

“They’re top of their league at the minute, so, it sounds like they are very similar to us in terms of personnel. We know it’s going to be a tough ask and we know it’s going to be a challenge.” 

And while all attention turns to this FAI Junior Cup clash at the weekend, for Cullen and his squad, they will still be keeping one eye on the Inishowen League Premier Division. They currently sit top of the pile on 36 points with reigning champions Buncrana Hearts now six points adrift.  

With four games each left in the league season, Cockhill’s title destiny remains firmly in their own hands. 

“I would tell the players, every season, that your league is the most important competition you’re in, it’s the most important trophy you can win,” Cullen said on the hunt for domestic honours. 

“When it comes to cup competitions, we always go out with the aim of winning them But we never put our eggs in the one basket. 

“Now, obviously, when you’re in national competitions they have a bit more prestige to them but they are never more important than a league game the following week. 

“In terms of where we’re at currently, it’s focusing on trying to win this weekend and then we turn our attention back to winning the league. 

“I think having said that, trying to get back into a national final after losing the Intermediate final last year on penalties to Rockmount, it would be an absolute testament to the players if we did get over the line. 

“Last season, we were the first Inishowen side to contest an FAI Cup Intermediate final and now we want to be the first Inishowen side to contest an FAI Cup Junior final as well. 

“The last Donegal team to contest an FAI Cup final was Finn Harps, so there are records there that we want to break and hopefully our lads can do it this weekend.”