'Carsie' eyeing cup glory

Since arriving at the Showgrounds in 2004 the wing-wizard has set the Irish League alight with blistering displays of footballing magic in the blue and white of Coleraine.

His loyalty to the Bannsiders is beyond question, his pride in the badge unyielding.

But despite the allegiance to his home-town club, Carson has yet to record a major trophy success.

His only appearance in a showpiece final was two years ago when Coleraine suffered a 2-1 defeat to Linfield in the Irish Cup.

The indelible memory is one of hurt and anguish for Carson, but victory tomorrow at the international stadium would go some way to massaging away the agony of May 3, 2008.

"Saturday will be a great day for everyone involved with the club. The fans, the directors and the players and coaching staff. It is a massive day out and we will take a decent crowd to Windsor," he said.

"I just hope it doesn't end up like the last time we played in a final. I remember after the Linfield defeat just thinking to myself, 'did we get beat?'.

"We played well that day and it was hard to take. The journey home was pretty depressing because there is no enjoyment in losing a cup final.

"Winning medals and trophies is what it is all about. I want to look back when I retire and reflect on a couple of cup finals and hopefully look at some winner's medals.

"I don't want to be second best for another time, and hopefully we can go the extra mile on Saturday and do the job."

Carson insists tomorrow is "not about me", but admits gaining a winner's medal would go some way to vindicating his decision to stay at Coleraine over the years.

Attempts to lure the former Rangers man away from the Showgrounds were usually met with a 'thanks, but no thanks' reply.

He admits he is continually probed about his reasons to remain in the north west, and believes victory tomorrow would go some way to answering the critics.

"It would be nice to justify myself to people who have always questioned why I stayed at Coleraine. I want to be able to say I won silverware," he added.

"But at the end of the day it is not about me. This is about Coleraine Football Club and the supporters. Personally it is great being in a final, but it is all about a club effort.

"There are other teams as good as us who didn't make it to the final. This year we managed that, so we have to grasp the opportunity.

"We are just focusing on doing well for Coleraine.

"When I first arrived at the club I probably wasn't aware of the financial problems Coleraine were having. The club nearly went under, but at that time I thought I am going to stay and fight. I wasn't going to jump ship. It was important to keep Coleraine afloat, and things have thankfully improved over the last couple of years. We are a progressive club, and if we strengthen over the summer then we can aspire to greater things."

Looking ahead to tomorrow's decider, Carson believes the Glens will start as firm favourites, despite Coleraine inflicting heavy defeats on the Big Two giants earlier in the season.

"Glentoran will probably start as favourites, even though we have beaten them 6-0 and 4-3 in the league. They would have been odds on to beat us those two times in the Premiership, but we managed to come out on top," he said.

"Nothing will change for this game, but that's football. Glentoran are a big club that is always challenging for trophies, while we only get the opportunity now and again.

"Also our recent form as dipped a little, while Glentoran have done pretty well under new manager Scott Young.

"It is up to us to rise to the occasion and prove we are capable of winning a trophy. The fact that we will be underdogs makes no difference.

"We have already beaten them 6-0 and 4-3 so we know what we are capable of."

Tickets for the final are still available and are 12 for adults and 6 for Under 16s and OAPs. Both clubs are urging local people to come along and support them. Coleraine supporters can still purchase tickets from the Coleraine Social Club until 11am or by contacting John Mairs on Mob: 07736 519532. Glentoran supporters can still purchase tickets from the Glentoran Superstore until 12 noon.

BBC Radio Ulster presenter Alan Simpson is MC and fans will be treated to pre-match and half-time entertainment, including a Co-operative Insurance Cup Festival of Football at nearby Midgley Park, a Legends Parade involving ex Glentoran and Coleraine players, a Co-operative Insurance Football Development Centre parade and mini-soccer demonstration.