Irish Cup Final - Cliftonville v Coleraine - Ben is mascot

Today it's Irish Cup Final day and Cliftonville are facing Coleraine.  This is the biggest day in local football but today had even more importance than usual.  Why?

















Well because Ben was chosen to be a cup final mascot for Cliftonville.

Here he is on the right side of the front row here with all the Cliftonville mascots.

This is the story of Ben's big day.








And here he is 05th mascot from the left in this great team line-up photo.

More about this pic later.









It's first thing on Saturday morning and Ben is kitted out good and proper with his full Cliftonville kit, hat, and flag.


















It's getting near time to go ............... and Ben is very excited!!   

 











Prior to the cup final the gang met in the Wolf and Whistle (Whitefort) for some pre-match craic and a couple of drinks. 

Left to right: Patrick, Ben, Cormac, Kevin, Dee, Tony, Charlie, Jude.









And who's that hiding in behind the Cliftonville flag?













It's Marguerite.  She has popped in for an hour (so she could run Jude and Ben down to Windsor Park).















Ben and Jude got down to Windsor Park nice and early as he was on mascot duty.  Actually they were first down to the stadium.  Jude was conscious that he would be dropping Ben off and that Ben would be away from him from 1.30pm until about 3.20pm ............










................ so he quickly introduced Ben to Cathal (in middle here) and he were all set.  Ben stuck to Cathal for the next two hours.













Ben was all smiles here in this pic taken just before Jude left and ......













......... Ben entered the VIP section with the IFA Football officials.

5 years old and a mascot at the Irish Cup final ..... well done Ben.










And in he went!















Inside the stadium and Ben is chatting away to his new mate Cathal.  Cathal was there today as mascot as he was the nephew of Cliftonville players Jay and Rory Donnelly.











Prior to entering the stadium Jude had said, 'Ben, when you get in you keep waving at me, I will be able to see you but you may not be able to see me ....... but don't worry, just keep waving'.  And true to the request Ben waved and waved. 

That was really funny ..... but also really sweet of Ben. 








Moments later and the mascots all did a lap of the pitch and this time Ben was able to see Jude.










Still sticking to Cathal, Ben was all chuffed as Jude was calling out his name from the front of the stand.












And on they walked on their lap of the pitch ....... with Ben still waving to the crowd as he went and ......













....... still looking for Jude even when all the way round the other side of the pitch.














And by now the crowd was really starting to build up.

Here are the Reds fans as they prepared for what they hoped would be Cliftonville's first Irish Cup win in 39 years.









And here are the Coleraine fans as they prepared for what they hoped would be their first Irish Cup win in 15 years.

Spot Ben there in the middle at pitch-side.










Now it was time to head into the VIP area again to prepare for the final pre-match mascot activities and the game itself.













And so ...... the scene was set.














Meanwhile the lads were by now making their way into the stadium.  Patrick was making sure he would not go hungry as he stocked up on some popcorn on the way in. 
















Then it was time for the teams to emerge from the tunnel.














Chris Curran leads out the Cliftonville team ....... you can just about see Ben tucked away near the back there.












There he is being led out by Cliftonville full-back Tomas Cosgrove.













Ben is all smiles and still looking all the way across to the pitch to where Jude was sitting.

















Then they lined up.

There is Ben in between Tomas Cosgrove and Jay Donnelly.











Manager Barry Gray helps his kid try to pick out someone over in the Cliftonville stand, family or friends perhaps.












Ben looked great today alongside the players while fully decked out in his Cliftonville kit.













Tomas Cosgrove glances over to the Cliftonville stand.

















This pic was actually taken from the television screen as the camera made it's way past the players and mascots during the handshakes.

There's Ben's friend Cathal standing in front of Jay Donnelly with Ben in between them and Tomas Cosgrove.















Time for the anthem.

Earlier in the week Cliftonville FC had requested that the British National Anthem not be played ahead of the game (this request was accepted on the last two times Cliftonville played in the final).  The IFA refused and the anthem was played.







This is what Jude and the rest of the Cliftonville fans could see.  To be honest it was not really clear what was going on because the players were away over at the other end of the stadium and Jude could not hear any anthem being played due to the noise of the fans. 

Spot Cliftonville sub Stephen Garrett there standing and obviously respecting the anthem.








Were the speakers turned off in the Cliftonville end?  Jude thinks they were and this idea is supported by the observation that later in the game you could not hear the announcement of any substitutions either.  At least where Jude was in the Cliftonville stand they could not be heard. 












What a great pic this is.

It was only after the game that it became clear (to Jude) what happened here.  The Cliftonville players and manager had agreed to a dignified protest at the decision to play the anthem so while it was played they lowered their heads. 

It really is a fantastic pic and you can see Ben there standing 5th mascot from the left.



Of course Ben would not have understood exactly what was going on but in the middle of it he was.

In this pic he is looking at Cathal probably wondering what he's doing.

Fantastic pic!!

With the anthem over it was time for Ben to leave the pitch.














Another shot taken from the television.

Ben's mascot duties were now complete and he made his way back into the VIP area where he would remain for about 15 minutes before being reunited with Jude at the back of the stand.

The Cliftonville players have just did their traditional huddle and are all set for kick off.













It was a great atmosphere among a massive crowd ......














............ and they were off.















Ben standing on his seat to get a great view.















A free kick to the Reds.














Ben was having a great time supporting the team.















One of the best players in the league is Cliftonville's Joe Gormley.   

'I'm still standing' - Ben with his bird's eye view.

The Reds fans are a little subdued here as Coleraine have just scored to take a 1-0 lead.

But then ............









......... Rory Donnelly latched onto a cross and poked the ball home for an equalizeer for Cliftonville.













1-1 and game on! 

At this stage the Cliftonville fans were in full voice singing all their songs.














30 mins to go ........ could they do it?















The rest of the game was so exciting.  Both teams trying to win but afraid of taking risks that would open them up at the back.












Cliftonville had a couple of great chances ........














........ but could not find a winner.  And in the last few minutes Coleraine scored two goals to run out 3-1 winners. 

The Cliftonville players and fans were very disappointed of course.  However this was a great day.  It was great for Cliftonville to be back playing in the cup final (even though they lost), it was a massive crowd who sung their way through the match and for Ben it would be a brilliant memory.

And so the lads all went back to the Wolf & Whistle for a couple of pints and to discuss the game.






After the game Jude got in touch with the official photographer and managed to buy this pic.  It has now been framed and it now resides on Ben's bedroom wall.

What a great pic to remember a great day.