Irish Cup finalists hold fond memories for Bradley

After winning his maiden Premier League title last weekend, Liverpool's Conor Bradley hopes his former club Dungannon Swifts can secure a memorable first of their own on Saturday.

The Stangmore Park outfit have never won the Irish Cup and will meet Cliftonville in the showpiece decider at Windsor Park on Saturday afternoon (14.30 BST).

The 21-year-old played under-age football for Dungannon United Youth and latterly Dungannon Swifts, and will be supporting Rodney McAree's side from afar this weekend.

"I'm really looking forward to it," Bradley, who missed Liverpool clinching the title against Tottenham on Sunday through injury, told BBC Sport NI.

"I think they've done really well this year, obviously getting to the final."

Bradley had already caught the attention of Liverpool when playing with Dungannon, limiting his appearances for the club. Still, however, he enjoyed the experience.

"It was a good time when I was there," he added.

"I was there for 18 months or two years and I've really fond memories, I met some really good people when I was there.

"I loved my time at Dungannon. Hopefully they can get the job done in the final and bring a trophy back to Dungannon."

As they prepare for what could be the biggest day in the club's history, the Swifts' focus on youth is again in the spotlight.

Joe McAree, a former manager at Stangmore Park and father of current boss Rodney McAree, can still remember the first time he saw Bradley in action for his hometown club St Patrick's.

"I went to see him one night in Omagh and he was playing in a final two years up for St Patrick's," he recalled.

"It was obvious he was a great, talented player.

"I'd been told about him three years before, but there was no way I was going to be asking an eight-year-old to run up the road from Castlederg to Dungannon to play football."

Making his pitch to Bradley's parents after that game, the youngster did not immediately choose Dungannon.

"Conor wasn't sure, it was a long distance and he was closer to Maiden City.

"A couple of days later, the mum rang to say 'Conor feels he's better going to Maiden City but thank you very much' and everything else.

"To be honest, I could have cried on the phone, I very nearly did."

Within six months, Bradley had come to Dungannon and his successes at Liverpool have come as no surprise to those still at the club.

McAree, however, believes there could be even more to come.

"I still believe he's a Steven Gerard," he added.

"The first manager brave enough to put him into a Steven Gerard role rather than right wing-back or right-back will have an even better player."