KEEP STREAK GOING

LINFIELD Swifts boss Alan Dornan (above) is urging his youngsters to harness the feelgood factor at Windsor and cap a sensational season by winning the Intermediate Cup. The Blues have been nothing short of rampant this season, with the first team not only ending their long trophy drought but blowing it to smithereens after plundering a league, Irish Cup and Co Antrim Shield treble. And the Wee Blues under Dornan’s charge are not too far behind as they chase a treble of their own, with the Development league title and the much-coveted Steel & Sons Cup already in the bag. Standing in their way, however, are Limavady United, a team who are similarly riding the crest of a wave after romping to the Premier Intermediate league title by 10 points. Dornan is expecting a tough examination of his players’ mettle from the high-flying Roesiders, but is backing his young guns to rise to the occasion nevertheless as they look to make a winning return to Windsor Park. “Coming off the back of Saturday and winning the treble, the club is absolutely bouncing,” said Dornan, a Linfield legend in his own right. “But the final will be very difficult, Limavady are a good side, a strong side, and they’ve had their successes too, they won their league so it will be another test for our young players but I’m looking forward to the occasion and again it’s a huge experience for such a young side.” With the whole club on a high following the exploits of David Healy’s all-conquering first team, Dornan has dismissed the notion the final could become a kind of ‘after the lord mayor’s show’ distraction, insisting his players will be fired up to land the last piece of silverware of the season. “The players are focused, that just comes down to being a Linfield player,” said Dornan. “The players know what is expected and all this success just breeds confidence, they are in good form. “We’ve had a bit of a rest but we’ll be ready. Our job is to teach them good habits and what it is like to play for the firsts and I don’t think they will be afraid. “They are all looking forward to it and looking forward to playing at Windsor Park. “Some of them have never been on the pitch, some of them have never even been inside the ground so it’s a big occasion for them and it’s something they are all looking forward to and something they will all cherish. “It’s a chance for them to do a treble of their own and that puts its own pressure on them but they have to deal with that, and there should be a decent crowd of Bluemen there too. “But I never take my eye off the ball, it’s always about developing the young players and it’s similar to the Steel & Sons and how they can cope in these finals and at our level. They are big finals so this can only help them as they progress.”