Crusaders boss Stephen Baxter has told his players to revel in the historic significance of winning the Tennent’s Irish Cup at Windsor Park.
While all eyes were on Ballinamallard United playing in their first ever showpiece, the Shore Road club stepped up to end a 10-year wait for the blue riband trophy.
An early Jordan Owens header and a two goal salvo from Philip Lowry and Ross Clarke at the start of the second half sealed the deal in South Belfast.
Crusaders vs Ballinamallard Utd player ratings from the 2019 Irish Cup final
It delivered the fourth Irish Cup of the Crues’ 121-year history - the last coming in 2009 when a Mark Dickson volley secured a 1-0 win over derby rivals Cliftonville.
“This club has only won a few major trophies in its history, so that makes a day like this extra special,” said Baxter. “It means a lot to everyone at the club.
“This season we focused on the Irish Cup after the league slipped away from us around Christmas and the New Year and we put all our eggs in one basket.
“Credit to the players, they delivered. We beat Glentoran, Linfield, Ballymena United and Coleraine to reach this year's final, so we thoroughly deserve to lift the trophy.”
Baxter admitted he had been “worried” about the threat posed by unfancied Ballinamallard who were 9/1 outsiders and the first non top-flight club to grace the final in 43 years.
He stepped into the Mallards changing room after the trophy presentation to praise Harry McConkey’s men for their fairytale run to the showpiece.
“It’s always worrying because we didn’t know as much about Ballinamallard as we would have done about a Linfield, Coleraine or Ballymena,” said Baxter.
“Ballinamallard put it up to us and worked us hard, but we showed our quality, scored three goals and might have had two or three more.”
Crusaders captain Colin Coates, who lifted the trophy the last time the Seaview club won the cup in 2009, said: “This is special because it’s been a long time since we won the cup.
“The past 10 years have flown by and we’ve probably let ourselves down in the competition at times in recent years, so it’s a great feeling to get across the line.
“These days don’t come around too often, so to reach an Irish Cup final and lift the trophy is very special for everyone.”
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