Lowe hoping to end season on a high by winning the Irish Cup

KRIS Lowe is hoping to put an injury-ravaged season behind him by helping Cliftonville lift the Clearer Water Irish Cup on Saturday.

The experienced midfielder missed the BetMcLean Cup Final at the beginning of March in which the Reds defeated Glentoran 1-0.

And 12 months ago he was again on the treatment table when Cliftonville triumphed 3-1 over Linfield in the 2024 showpiece decider. All told the last year and half has been a injury nightmare for Lowe and yet winning the Irish Cup on Saturday could make it a memorable season for the both the Reds and the Omagh man.

“It could turnout from what has mostly been a frustrating season to possibly be the best season of my career, it’s hard to measure up at the minute,” he said.

“Obviously it would be a great turnaround if I was to be on the pitch and get that winners’ medal.

“Given I missed out last year and missed out in the League Cup Final and all that, it would be great to be involved. It would give me new hope too for next season, it will spur me on to go for more.

“The injuries are part of football and it can happen anybody. You do your rehab, do what you have to do and try to come back. In football there are usually more downs than ups, so hopefully we end the season on a high.”

Saturday is going to be slightly odd occasion for Lowe in that he is coming up against his former club Dungannon Swifts who he helped to League Cup glory in 2018.

In reaching this year’s decider Swifts accounted for Rathfriland Rangers, Coleraine and Carrick Rangers before defeating Bangor 2-0 in the semi-final.

The Reds opened with a 4-0 victory against Banbridge Rangers, then defeated fellow Premiership sides Glenavon and Crusaders before seeing off Playr-fit Championship opponents Ards in the last four.

Lowe missed all of those ties but has played in the last four league games for Jim Magilton’s side and is relishing locking horns with his old club.

“Every time I play against Dungannon there is that certain feeling because I still love the club,” he continued.

“I have said it many a time, they gave me the opportunity to play Irish League football.

“From a young age I had to travel to play football at this sort of level and Dungannon was the club that helped me through all that and gave me my opportunities in the local game.

“And if I’m being totally honest it’s probably the one team that I don’t want to play in a cup final, due to the love and respect I have for the club.

“I love to see Dungannon do well but obviously I have my job to do at Cliftonville now.

“If I’m lining up against them, I’ll be going out there to play my own game and win the cup for Cliftonville, that will be my only focus, to be fair.”

The Reds have won the Irish Cup nine times while Dungannon came closest when losing the 2007 decider 3-2 on penalties to Linfield.

Saturday’s showpiece kicks-off at 2.30pm.