Setanta Cup - Getting to know Crusaders
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Setanta Cup – Getting to Know Crusaders
A Brief History
Crusaders Football and Athletic Club was formed in the year 1898 but didn’t join the senior league until 1949. They had to wait until 1967 for their first major success when they won the Irish Cup and they claimed their first League Championship in 1973. 56 consecutive years in the top flight ended in 2005 as the club suffered relegation but they got promoted back to the Premier league at the first time of asking. They are current Setanta Cup holders.
Honours
League Championships 4, Irish Cups 3, League Cups 2
The season so far
Crusaders were neck and neck with Cliftonville but recently have fallen fourteen points behind their North Belfast rivals but will still feel they have a chance of catching the Reds as they have to play them twice before the end of the season. They were defeated league cup finalists to Cliftonville and are in the quarter finals of the Irish Cup.
Setanta Cup History
Crusaders did not qualify for the Setanta Cup until the 2011 season when they went out at the quarter final stage, going down10-6 on aggregate to Cliftonville. Last year they defeated Derry City in the final at the Oval winning the game on penalties when the sides finished 2-2 after extra time.
Manager
Stephen Baxter. The former striker took over the reins in 2005 as the club sat bottom of the league and has since proved himself an excellent choice delivering the Irish Cup in 2008/09.
One to Watch
Gary McCutcheon. Although injured currently the Scotsman is a prolific goal scorer who can play on the left or behind the strikers and makes the side tick when present.
Special Mention: Jordan Owens. Young striker with great physical presence.
