Crusaders edge local rivals to book Irish Cup Final spot
Last updated 2nd Apr 2022
Crusaders snatched two late goals to see off derby rivals Cliftonville 2-1 in the Irish Cup semi-finals.
Billy-Joe Burns' late first half goal made the difference for Stephen Baxter's men.
That came after Joe Gormley had put the Reds 1-up. Although the Crues equalised when goalkeeper Luke McNicholas diverted a Ross Clarke ball into his own goal.
The ex-Glentoran man also had a goal chalked off for offside. Stephen Baxter's side will now face either Ballymena United or Newry City in the Final.
It is the first time Crusaders have made the showpiece final since 2019 when they defeated Ballinamallard to clinch the blue ribband event.
The defeat was all the more difficult for Paddy McLaughlin's Solitude side to take as it ended their own 13-match run without defeat. Cliftonville's wait for a first Irish Cup crown since 1979 goes on.