WATCH: Winning BetMcLean League Cup' would top everything I've won in the game' - Rodney McAree
Dungannon Swifts boss joins captain Ryan Harpur and Ballymena assistant Bryan McLaughlin and captain Jim Ervin in Special Cool FM Facebook Football Show
Last updated 17th Feb 2018
Rodney McAree has revealed how he is ready to write his name into Dungannon Swifts history by leading the club to their first-ever BetMcLean League Cup.
The 43-year-old, a life-time Swifts fan, a former player and now manager, says leading his team out at Windsor on Saturday would eclipse everything he’s won in the game.
"It'd be fantastic, great for Dungannon Swifts,” he said. “We've put in a lot of hard work and effort over the years to try to get ourselves to this occasion. Our last cup final was 2007, so it's been a long time coming around to the second one.
"If we manage to land the trophy, it'll probably go down as the biggest achievement of my career. That probably goes to show the affection I have for Dungannon Swifts, because I've been involved in other games across the water."
McAree was speaking as a guest on our latest Cool FM Facebook Football Show which we have turned into a Cup Special.
He has a special affinity for the club with his dad Joe a legend there.
McAree recalled some of his favourite cup moments involving the Swifts.
"I remember Dixie Robinson chipping Robbie Beck in a Mid-Ulster Cup Final to beat Glenavon 2-1 at Shamrock Park,” he said.
“I remember Terry McCrory, who'll be on the bench with me this Saturday, scoring a winning penalty against Ballymena. I remember all these days, going to places like Brantwood and Chimney Corner, hanging onto my Dad's shirt-tail."
Swifts club captain Ryan Harpur joined McAree on our panel along with David Jeffrey’s assistant at Ballymena, Bryan McLaughlin and club captain Jim Ervin.
McLaughlin says winning the cup like they did last year was special and had a massive impact on the entire town.
"The boost around the town was incredible and the boost it gave the players and supporters was fantastic. We get 2,000 people now at home games,” he said. “We played the Crues in the final of the County Antrim Shield, and they had 1,000 and they're top of the league."
Our latest episode is NOW available to view on our Cool FM Facebook page (see below).
Incredibly, the Football Show has now surpassed the 500,000 views mark.
The final takes place at Windsor Park (kick off 5.30pm).