Irish Cup Finalists Hold Fond Memories For Bradley

After winning his maiden Premier League title past weekend, Liverpool's Conor Bradley hopes his erstwhile nine Dungannon Swifts tin unafraid a memorable first of their ain connected Saturday.

The Stangmore Park outfit person ne'er won nan Irish Cup and will meet Cliftonville successful nan showpiece decider astatine Windsor Park connected Saturday day (14.30 BST).

The 21-year-old played under-age shot for Dungannon United Youth and latterly Dungannon Swifts, and will beryllium supporting Rodney McAree's broadside from afar this weekend.

"I'm really looking guardant to it," Bradley, who missed Liverpool clinching nan title against Tottenham connected Sunday done injury, told BBC Sport NI.

"I deliberation they've done really good this year, evidently getting to nan final."

Bradley had already caught nan attraction of Liverpool erstwhile playing pinch Dungannon, limiting his appearances for nan club. Still, however, he enjoyed nan experience.

"It was a bully clip erstwhile I was there," he added.

"I was location for 18 months aliases 2 years and I've really fond memories, I met immoderate really bully group erstwhile I was there.

"I loved my clip astatine Dungannon. Hopefully they tin get nan occupation done successful nan last and bring a trophy backmost to Dungannon."

As they hole for what could beryllium nan biggest time successful nan club's history, nan Swifts' attraction connected younker is again successful nan spotlight.

Joe McAree, a erstwhile head astatine Stangmore Park and begetter of existent leader Rodney McAree, tin still retrieve nan first clip he saw Bradley successful action for his hometown nine St Patrick's.

"I went to spot him 1 nighttime successful Omagh and he was playing successful a last 2 years up for St Patrick's," he recalled.

"It was evident he was a great, talented player.

"I'd been told astir him 3 years before, but location was nary measurement I was going to beryllium asking an eight-year-old to tally up nan roadworthy from Castlederg to Dungannon to play football."

Making his transportation to Bradley's parents aft that game, nan youngster did not instantly take Dungannon.

"Conor wasn't sure, it was a agelong region and he was person to Maiden City.

"A mates of days later, nan mum rang to opportunity 'Conor feels he's amended going to Maiden City but convey you very much' and everything else.

"To beryllium honest, I could person cried connected nan phone, I very astir did."

Within six months, Bradley had travel to Dungannon and his successes astatine Liverpool person travel arsenic nary astonishment to those still astatine nan club.

McAree, however, believes location could beryllium moreover much to come.

"I still judge he's a Steven Gerard," he added.

"The first head brave capable to put him into a Steven Gerard domiciled alternatively than correct wing-back aliases right-back will person an moreover amended player."