Sharkey hoping to erase memories of 2014 final defeat

THE pain of a 10-9 defeat to Enniscorthy in the 2014 All-Ireland Junior Cup final is a major motivating factor in keeping David Sharkey on the pitch.

And the 37-year-old second row is hoping that he can help his club complete a clean sweep of ‘junior’ silverware by adding an All-Ireland Junior Cup trophy to its haul when they tackle Ballyclare in this evening’s final at Kingspan Stadium.

“It’s a game that I haven’t forgotten about and it’s possibly the reason I’m still playing!,” he laughed.

“It’s the one that I haven’t forgotten and it’s one a few others in the squad still haven’t forgotten.

“To get beat by a point is a bitter pill to swallow. It was very close in horrible conditions, but it’s a gutting way to go.

“It would be a brilliant feeling to go that one step further and that would be everything in the junior section that the club would have won. That’s the only thing that’s alluding us and that will be the cabinet full!”

The fact that the game is being played at Ulster Rugby HQ, the scene of several important Valley final victories in the Towns Cup and Junior Cup in years gone by, Sharkey believes could be a big help to their cause at the weekend.

“The fact so many of us have played there before will hopefully help settle the nerves and help us to get into the game and get down to business a bit quicker than get caught up in the occasion,” he explained.

“That can happen and the first 10 to 15 minutes are important to get settled in, get the nerves out of the system.

“I’ve been in a few finals and that period is very important to get the nerves settled and to set the tempo for the game.”

And should his side get off to the desired start, he feels they will record a third straight defeat on Ballyclare this season.

However, having played in a 14-7 and a 14-10 victory earlier in the campaign, he’s anticipating another close encounter.

“There’s only one score between the sides, so we know it will be a fight to the bitter end,” he observed.

“Ballyclare have hit decent form there, they ran Instonians close so we know it will be a tough match.”

Kick-off this evening in Belfast is 5.30pm.