SML ‘big two’ aim to set up dream Junior Shield final

Harryville Homers and Carniny Rangers – the two top teams in the Ballymena Saturday Morning League over the past number of seasons – each have crucial semi-final matches this week.

Homers face Amateur League outfit Basement at Crewe United’s ground at Glenavy tonight (Tuesday, 7.30pm), while Carniny take on Valley Rangers at Ballyskeagh the following evening (Wednesday, 7.30pm).

Since the draw for the semi-finals kept the two local teams apart, both managers - Jason Jordan of Homers and Carniny’s Robert Young – admit that the thought of an all-Ballymena final has crossed both their minds.

“I think it’s human nature when you get to this stage of the competition,” Young told Times Sport.

“I haven’t been able to go up the street to do a message without somebody stopping me and asking me about it – for both ourselves and Homers to get this far in the competition and then be kept apart in the semis, it might never happen again in my lifetime.

“But there is still a lot to be done by both teams before any of us can think about a final – we both have very tough semi-finals.”

That view is shared by his opposite number Jordan who told Times Sport: “The thought of an all-Ballymena final did cross my mind but only very, very briefly!

“I’m more of a ‘here and now’ person – I tend to focus on what is in front of me rather than look too far ahead.

“I know the layers have chatted about it at training and between themselves but they know that it’s the next game that is the most important – our build-up has been pretty low-key and the players won’t get ahead of themselves.

“Basement are an Amateur League 2C side from the Tigers Bay area of north Belfast and I would expect them to be physically strong and work hard for each other,” added Jason.

Both teams took advantage of the option given to all SML teams at the weekend of having a free day for St Patrick’s Day, in order to rest up ahead of their big games.

“It gave us the chance for players carrying knocks to get a few extra days’ rest, plus we didn’t want to run the risk of any fresh injuries or suspensions – we already had a few injuries that will be borderline for the semi-final,” said Jordan.

Carniny’s problems in that department are more acute, with influential skipper Jason Robinson definitely out because of a knee injury, while winger Roger Jones is also rated ‘touch and go’ because of a knee complaint.

“Any team would miss its captain and Jason is a big loss for us, while it’s ironic that Roger is an injury worry now because he’s never had as much as a strain in all the years he’s been here,” says Young.

Add in the fact that winger Mo McDowell is ineligible to play in the competition after having played senior football for Ballymena United last season, while Gareth Mott and Chris Clail are both cup-tied and James Gracey has recently left to spend a year in Australia and Young’s squad is stretched to the limit.

“You obviously miss those players but the way I always look at it is that it’s an opportunity for someone else to come in and take their chance,” he added.

Saturday Morning league chiefs have already indicated that in the event of both teams winning their semi-finals, the league will push strongly for the final to be played at Ballymena Showgrounds.

* For more build-up to the semi-finals, see this week’s Ballymena Times.