Glentoran boss Mick McDermott is eager to roll back the years and end the season on an Irish Cup high after picking up the April manager of the month award.
The Ovalmen, who face Cliftonville in the last-16 this evening, lifted the blue riband trophy last season, beating Ballymena United in the final in July.
And McDermott is hoping to seal more silverware later this month as the Glens chase back-to-back Irish Cups for the first time in two decades.
The last time the Big Two giants lifted the trophy in successive years was when they beat Portadown and Linfield respectively in the 2000 and 2001 finals.
Add in an automatic ticket to Europe and the Irish Cup is a major target with the winners of today’s tie progressing to the quarter-finals on Tuesday night.
McDermott, who went seven games unbeaten in April, said: “We still have a lot to play for and retaining the Irish Cup is a big motivation.
“Winning the trophy last season was really nice because of what it brings in terms of getting the club into Europe and the positivity around the place.
“We are in the midst of another cup run and it would be brilliant to win it again and keep the trophy here, but we know it will be a tough tie against a good Cliftonville team.
“There is a long way to go and we also have important league games jammed in between.”
While the Glens are all but out of title contention, they are currently locked in a battle with Coleraine to secure second spot and a place in Europe.
The Mersey Street men are a point below the Bannsiders and nine adrift of leaders Linfield, who are closing in on a third successive title, with three games left.
“We are in a good place but we have to keep improving,” said McDermott.
“As a project we are definitely moving in the right direction and I have no doubt more trophies will come because I can see what we are putting together here on and off the pitch.
“We've put together a good group of players and are trying to rebuild the club and get back the credibility of competing at the highest level.”
On picking up the NI Football Writers award for April, McDermott, said: “It was a difficult month, playing every Saturday and Tuesday, with some big games thrown in, so to finish it unbeaten was a big achievement.
“All the players across the league deserve credit for the durability and commitment they've shown during a challenging season. It hasn’t been easy.
“Our players have worked really hard and still are because there's still a lot to play for.”
Glentoran went seven league games without defeat last month, taking 15 points from a possible 21 in the process.
