We caught up with Larne’s veteran full back Stephen Marshall ahead of tomorrow’s Gordon West Cup Final at Ravenhill. KO 3:00pm. Marshall’s illustrious career has spanned 18 seasons at Larne where he has won four league campaigns and the Gordon West Cup in 2005.

Larne, coached by Davy Wilson and Gareth Kennedy, have made stately progress in the league this season with a 100% record in Kukri Qualifying 3B and would love to make it a memorable double by picking up the Gordon West Cup on Saturday afternoon.

However opponents Letterkenny have appeared in the last five Gordon West Cup finals and will be pushing to make it sixth time lucky. The Donegal side play in Kukri Qualifying 3A and although the teams have not met this season the Larne veteran is wary of their challenge.

Letterkenny are a strong, physical side with a very dynamic back row. They play a typical Letterkenny game but their coach Gordon Curley has evolved a more attacking edge to them since we played them last.

They played Monaghan away the week after we beat them (Monaghan) in the semi final. However the distances you have to travel in this league can make away travel unappealing and I’m sure for the final they’ll be well up for it and have their 1st XV side out.

How do the Larne team feel about Saturday’s game?

Very confident, we’ve had a really buzzing season, the crack and the camaraderie have been as good as I’ve known it at this club. They are a fantastic set of young boys to play with, and socialise with and they are a real credit to the town.

So what is this now, your 18th year with Larne?

18th season, given a few short breaks, and even during those breaks  I would have come back from the mainland and played. I’ve seen a lot of people come and go and played with a lot of legends during that time!

I’ve had some great times and some disappointing times but rugby is all about people, meeting people and enjoying their company and that doesn’t mean just in your own team but in the opposition as well and I’d like to think that I’ve a great many friends all over the country as a result of this great game.

During that period, what was your most memorable game for Larne?

I think winning promotion is always a very satisfying moment for all the lads that you’ve done the hard yards with from the pre-season and throughout the year. I’ve been lucky enough to have done that four times now with various coaches. Obviously winning the Gordon West in 2005 at Ravenhill was a highlight but undoubtedly this season has been as memorable as any just from the point of view of the people involved and the tight-knit group of boys that we have.

Would you be prepared to name any of the great players that you’ve played with at the club?

The list is endless 😆 . You go back to the legend that was god, more commonly known as John Anderson, through to Davy Wilson, Chris Galway, Gary Dowey – I could go on and on 😆 !

Hmm, well I’m sure I’m not the only ex-Larne legend disappointed not to be mentioned there. 😥

Good luck to the boys tomorrow from the FRONTROWUNION!