Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Steven Crawford

Irish Cup: Philip Lowry happy to swap personal success for team glory

Philip Lowry has had a season to remember so far but he would swap it all to get his hands on the Irish Cup tomorrow.

The midfielder has bagged 20 goals to date in a prolific campaign and was named in the Team of the Year as well as being nominated for Player of the Year.

But the 33-year-old would give all that up if Crusaders could retain the trophy with victory over Ballymena United.

Read next: IFA confirm Irish Cup final tribute to Kaylee Black

"Nail on the head," said Lowry. "A successful season for me is silverware and we sort of fell off in the League but we performed admirably with the number of injuries and suspensions to key men.

"The Irish Cup is the big one, it's the one cup competition that means so much to the players, fans and it's always a fantastic occasion.

"It would round off a great season for us if we can turn over Ballymena but we know it'll be a difficult game."

If the Crues are to make it back-to-back Irish Cup wins they will have to do it without their captain Billy Joe Burns.

The defender misses out due to suspension and while Lowry has sympathy for his teammate he says it's an opportunity for someone to step up.

"You have to look at it in the cold light of day - Billy Joe isn't playing," he said.

"As big a mate he is and as good a player as he is, it's done and dusted now and you can't turn back the clock. He won't be here so we will move on.

"One man's misfortune is another man's opportunity, so there will be that added incentive where players will want to do it for Billy.

"However, you don't need any more incentive when it comes to an Irish Cup final and being the holders, we will do everything in our power to try and retain the trophy.

"We are all gutted for BJ but as I said he's long in the tooth and we're long in the tooth now that you can't magically bring him back to play and we will have to move on without him."

READ NEXT:

Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.