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Friday 05 Apr 2024
Larne and Crusaders to go head-to-head in Harry Cavan Youth Cup decider

Crusaders and Larne will lock horns in this season's Harry Cavan Youth Cup final on Tuesday 9th April at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, kick-off 7:45pm.

The Crues, coached by club legend David Rainey, reached the decider following a 1-0 semi-final defeat of Dungannon Swifts with Ryan Donnelly bagging the winner with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

Ballymena United were accounted for in the last eight, with Institute and Newry City falling by the wayside in earlier rounds.

Crusaders last won the competition eight years ago, but Larne will be looking to bring the trophy back to the town for the first time since 1978.

Andy Mitchell's side booked their place in the showdown after Jack Hastings' strike just after the hour saw them past Maiden City at Stangmore Park.

They hit five past Annagh United in the quarter-finals, scored another four against both Coleraine and Craigavon City prior to that but needed a penalty shoot-out to get the better of Glenavon back in the opening round in September.

Both sides compete in the NIFL Under 18 Academy League. Crusaders are fifth, four points ahead of sixth placed Larne albeit having played four games more.

Their only other meeting this season saw Crusaders win 2-1 at Inver Park. Brandon Downey opened the scoring for the Crues midway through the first half, with Sam Nugent levelling not long after the interval. However Jack McComb popped up deep into stoppage time to secure the points for the visitors.

Tickets for the final are priced at £5 adult/£3 concession and can be purchased here.