Premier Cup: Hanover and Richhill AFC ready for final showdown in Armagh

In the race to get over the line and lift this season's Premier Cup prize, the final tonight offers a clash between one club calling on current momentum against another drawing on past magic.

If the traditional belief stands that the journey to the top proves tough but the battle to retain that status stands as a greater test, Richhill AFC and Hanover line out in Armagh as examples of both viewpoints.

Hanover return to Holm Park motivated by the memories of last season’s triumph over Tandragee Rovers in the same city venue.

Richhill AFC manager Marty Rice. Pic by PressEye Ltd.

As holders of the Mid-Ulster Football Association silverware showpiece, the Portadown-based squad can count on the confidence that comes from experience.

In contrast, Richhill AFC enter the big night as a reward for rebuilding and in search of securing a first Premier Cup honour since the club’s formation in 2016.

Initial glory following the amalgamation between Richhill and Broomhill AFC produced promotion and cup success but a difficult spell led to Marty Rice’s arrival in October 2017 and subsequent rise.

January 2018 left Richhill AFC rooted to the bottom of the Mid-Ulster Intermediate League Section A standings and without cup consolation.

One year on and the villagers’ preparations for the knockout showdown include back-to-back league wins and some coveted cup scalps on the path to the final.

“With the team adrift at the bottom of Intermediate A in 2017 having failed to win any league games, the turn of the year saw a total transformation in our results, winning eight and drawing one of our last 14 games to finish well clear of relegation,” said Richhill AFC boss Marty Rice. “With Hanover’s recent cup successes and with them currently well clear at the top of the league, they obviously enter the cup final as massive favourites with all the expectations and pressure that brings.

“The underdog tag sits well with ourselves as we couldn’t have had a more difficult run to the final, after having been drawn away to Banbridge Rangers and Moneyslane, then facing Crewe at home in the semi-final.

“While the players get all the applause for reaching a cup final, I’ve been involved in football long enough to know that any success on the pitch only comes from the foundation of work behind the scenes.

“Richhill AFC is in the very lucky position of having a very hard-working chairman and committee.

“The progress and growth that I have seen in my short time at the club has been astonishing, with the recent opening of our own social club being only one of a number of changes.

“The committee continues to make Richhill AFC a real social hub of the local community while still ensuring the financial sustainability of the club as a whole.

“In 2019 we will see further changes, making it an exciting time to be part of this progressive, ambitious club.”