DAVID ANTHONY is aware of the weight of history on his shoulders as he leads St Johnston into their Irish Senior Cup clash with Dublin kingpins Merrion.

The famous Donegal club were the first winners from the North-West in 1987, part of a golden generation that won all before them. That’s a lot to live up to for the 30-year-old Product Analyst.

“It’s a huge source of pride to the club that St Johnston were the first team from the Union to win it,” said Anthony. “There are four of the team – myself, Michael Rankin, Nathan Cole and David Lapsley whose fathers played in that 87 success.

“Granted we haven’t had the same level of success as they enjoyed. It’s something that we are immensely proud of and it’s great that we are back in the competition.”

Anthony appreciates the challenge that awaits them against the two-times winners.

“They are a hugely talented team. You just go down the list and you recognize every name from various representative teams. No matter though, we always like to think we have a good chance in the Boathole.

“Indeed, about ten years ago we made it to the quarter-finals when still a Championship team by beating CSNI and Strabane. Although we are very much underdogs we won’t shy away from the challenge that awaits. I think in the 15 years or so that I’ve been playing we have always been considered underdogs, so this is no different.”

Located alongside the River Foyle in Donegal, the Saints are very much on the periphery of the Union, but their isolation hasn’t held them back.

“We don’t have the town community that most clubs are able to take advantage of in terms of numbers of youths, but it’s something we just get on with.

“Hats off to James Fleming and Aiden Devine in particular for the amount of effort that’s gone into the ground and pitches in recent years.

“There have been great improvements in the practice facilities and the ground itself. We are starting to reap the benefits of this by attracting talent to the club. We have a plan in place and keep pushing and adding to the facilities each year.

“We are hugely fortunate just how picturesque the ground is in its location by the Foyle, but we know we have to put the work in to the facilities too.”

The self-confessed Everton fan is well used to being starved of success, but they did win the play-off to seal promotion to the Premiership which he regards as so important to their development.

“It makes a huge difference to us. That was important to our vision and we were fortunate last year to achieve top flight having just missed out hitting the crossbar the year before.

“Because we don’t have the community resources of other clubs it’s important that we make use of what we do have by maintaining our position. That will help us recruit talent and also help us develop the youth system. Graeme (McCarter) has been instrumental in that and the kids have been absolutely buzzing that they are getting coached by an Irish international, and that gives a great boost to a small club as ourselves.

“We have been looking to strengthen having made the step up to the Premiership. Even without a professional we have been fortunate that Subhan Shirzad has agreed to return from Strabane. In my opinion, on his day he is as good as anyone. We also have Mark Pollock and Conor Olphert who have joined from Bready. Paired with our Head Coach Graeme and the local lads we do have the potential to cause a few upsets throughout the year.”

St Johnston have developed a well-earned reputation for being one of the most hospitable venues in the region, and Anthony, whose girlfriend Jessica Brolly plays for the Women’s side is proud to lead them.

“We are like a big family here and whatever the results we try and enjoy ourselves, instilling that welcome to other clubs when we are hosting so that when they go home they look on their games in Donegal with positive and fond memories.

“I have been hugely fortunate in that I have grown up alongside most of the team playing together since my early teens to now in our 30s.

“While we may have our moments in the heat of battle, any fallout is soon forgotten once the game is over. We can share a drink and chat together and that bodes well for the positive club culture that we have.”

It’s 22 years since a NW side lifted the Bob Kerr trophy, and while recent results have been horrific, Anthony does have grounds for optimism that could change this year.

“Donemana look exceptionally strong with the players they’ve brought in together with their home-grown talent.

“Newbuildings and Brigade too look to be stronger, so I definitely see potential for a local club to go far in the competition.

“I do see things starting to improve with players coming back from the NCU to here, like Varun Chopra at Coleraine, and Jared Wilson to Newbuildings.

“NW sides will be under no illusions that it will always be difficult against sides of the pedigree of Pembroke and Waringstown who have been hugely successful.

“The only way is up!”