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Steven Crawford

Unbelievable comeback for Declan Caddell as another fairytale ending is in sight

It has been quite a last 12 months for Crusaders' Declan Caddell.

The midfielder won the Irish Cup with the Crues, retired, took up his new role as Head of Academy at Seaview, came back out of retirement and then fire his side into another Irish Cup final.

As stories go it's almost unbelievable, certainly for the tough-tackling midfielder, who had to pinch himself after notching the winner in the semi-final with Dungannon Swifts on Saturday.

Read next: David Jeffrey points to special motivation as Ballymena United show team effort

Caddell had only been on the pitch a couple of minutes as he latched on to Paul Heatley's through ball in stoppage time before coolly lobbing Declan Dunne to set up a repeat of last year's final against Ballymena United.

Speaking after the game 34-year-old spoke of his delight at being able to "give something back" to the club he loves, but he admitted that this will be his swan song...well probably!

“If you’d told me I’d be back scoring in a semi-final, I’d never have believed you,” he said.

“Bar the offside that was given, I honestly think it was my only touch, so I’ll take that all day long.

“Obviously this year with the injuries pre-Christmas, the gaffer had asked me to come in and do him a favour.

“Originally it was only meant to be for two or three weeks but he’s held on to me.

“For me, it’s nice to give something back.

“Obviously my role at the club is to support young players and with Stephen having the faith in me - obviously bringing me out of retirement and maybe question marks raised over that - it’s just nice to give him something back for trusting me.

“Moments like that are nice, but I’m totally invested in my job at the minute and getting young players through.

“It’s nice to help the boys through, but I think next season that’s definitely me.”

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