TALK of the FAI Intermediate Cup and of College Corinthians stirs the memories in the Harkin household.
Mark Harkin (pictured above, front, right) was raised on such tales.
In 1998, his father, Kenny Harkin, netted a famous winner for Fanad United in the dying embers of an Intermediate Cup final against Tramore Athletic at Dalymount Park.
Seven years later, the famous prize was back in Triagh-A-Loch again. Paul McGeoghan netted in another 1-0 final win, this time at Terryland Park in Galway. Kenny Harkin was the Fanad captain in 1995 as they defeated College Corinthians.
They were heady days indeed and moments that ensure Kenny Harkin’s name and legacy live on.
Kenny Harkin lifts the FAI Intermediate Cup for Fanad United in 1995
Mark Harkin, Bonagee United’s versatile defender, would dearly love to emulate his father.
But, small steps first.
Bonagee host College Corinthians at Dry Arch Park on Sunday (12 noon kick-off) with a place in the quarter-finals of the competition at stake.
“This is the first time that Bonagee have got to this stage of the Intermediate Cup,” Harkin points out.
“It would be nice to get a result against Corinthians and push into the next round.
“We’ve had a good run so far. I missed the last round when the boys won 3-0, but hopefully we can do the business this week again and get over the next hurdle.”
Harkin hopes to be fit after picking up a knock on Monday night in a friendly against a Finn Harps Select. Sunday’s game was rescheduled from two weeks ago when the weather put paid to the big clash.
Bonagee, who won the Knockalla Caravans Cup in Jason Gibson’s first season at the helm, have come on leaps and bounds and Harkin, too, has felt a new confidence in the air.
Mark Harkin
“This is the second year for this group of players,” Harkin says.
“We’ve got a good push on it. When we got to teams now, any team, we’re disappointed if we don’t get the three points. That shows how far we have come as a squad.
“We don’t fear anyone now. The only game we’ve lost was in the League against Cockhill. We’ve only lost one game and Cockhill still have a good lead. That shows the standard they’re setting.
“This year and last have been the first time I’ve got a proper go because of work commitments. That held me up, but I’m back in the swing of things again. Thank God, my job now means I can train. It’s easier then to go out on a Sunday knowing that you have the work done.
“The more you play, the better your touch is. I feel more confident every week now.”
Bonagee have added the likes of Packie Mailey, Niall Grace and Keenan Diver to their number in recent weeks and they have some big days to look forward to this season.
Kenny Harkin scores Fanad’s winner in the 1988 FAI Intermediate Cup final
Harkin says: “We’re into the Senior Cup as well. It’s a great achievement to get into the Senior Cup. Hopefully we will attract a crowd for that and keep building. Bonagee are doing great work at the club; it would be great to get a Senior Cup game at home in the summer.”
Having been drawn at home, where they beat another MSL side in Lakewood pre-Christmas, Harkin, at least, hopes Bonagee will find some comforts in familiar surroundings.
He says: “We fancy our chances at home against anyone.
“We have home advantage, but we need to make it count, go out and do the business.”
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