Glentoran defender Frankie Hvid is relishing the opportunity to kick off 2025 with the start of a memorable cup run as the Glens prepare to face Harland and Wolff Welders in the Clearer Water Irish Cup fifth round.
The East Belfast derby will take place on Friday 3rd January (kick-off 7:45pm) at The Blanchflower Stadium and opens a weekend of action in one of local football’s most prestigious cup competitions.
Currently sitting second in the Sports Direct Premiership, Glentoran head into the tie in impressive form, unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions. This strong run includes thrilling comeback victories over Cliftonville and Crusaders, as well as a commanding 2-0 win over Portadown to close out 2024 in style.
Reflecting on Glentoran’s recent form, Frankie Hvid is confident in the squad’s ability to keep improving under Declan Devine’s leadership.
Hvid said: “We’ve been in great form lately, but Declan won’t let us get complacent. He’s constantly pushing us to improve and challenging us to raise our standards every single day. He firmly believes there’s so much more to come from this young squad and we’re all buying into that vision.
“We know the fans are behind us every step of the way, and their support makes a huge difference. We’re determined to give them plenty to cheer about as we push for success in the second half of the season.”
The Glens shift their attention to the Clearer Water Irish Cup, with Frankie Hvid and his teammates fully aware of the challenge posed by Harland and Wolff Welders as they aim to secure their place in the competition’s sixth round.
The Welders, currently sitting third in the Playr-Fit Championship, demonstrated their quality earlier this season by giving Glentoran a stern test in the County Antrim Shield. The match was decided on penalties, with Charlie Lindsay holding his nerve to secure the Glens’ place in the quarter-finals.
Frankie said: “We know we’ll be firm favourites going into this tie, but it’s cup football, and the Welders will be doing everything they can to cause an upset and secure a scalp against us. That’s why we need to be at our very best and approach this game with the same intensity and focus we bring to any match.
“We’ve analysed how they play, and they’ve got some really strong players, particularly in their attacking positions, so we’ll need to be at the top of our game defensively. We’ve been preparing well, and the goal is simple - book our place in the draw for the next round.
“Friday night under the lights at The Blanchflower Stadium will be a fantastic occasion. It’s a local derby game and we’re determined to deliver a strong performance for our supporters and start the New Year in the best way possible.”
Ahead of the East Belfast derby, 20-year-old defender Frankie Hvid has established himself as a key figure at the heart of Glentoran’s defence, playing a key role in the team’s impressive seven-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
Since joining from Millwall’s Under-21 squad last summer, the London-born centre-back has already made 27 appearances, scoring three goals and earning a reputation as a fan favourite.
Speaking about his first six months at Glentoran, Hvid shared how much he’s enjoying life at the club.
Hvid said: “I’m absolutely loving my football here at Glentoran. This is a fantastic club, and the supporters have been incredible from the moment I arrived. Coming from the Under-21s at Millwall, it’s been a big step up, but I feel like I’ve improved so much already.
“Working under Declan Devine has been a massive help for me. He’s a brilliant manager who constantly pushes me to improve and get the best out of myself. His belief in me has been huge and I feel like I’m learning and developing every day.
“The advice from experienced players like Moko, Paddy, Fuad, and Singo has also been huge. They’ve helped me settle in quickly, and their support has given me the confidence to develop and grow as a player.
“Living with big Dan has been a massive help. We’ve built a great friendship and that camaraderie is something that runs throughout the entire squad. Whether it’s on the pitch or in training, you can see how much we’re all pulling in the same direction as a team.”
Last season, Glentoran reached the semi-finals of the Clearer Water Irish Cup and Frankie Hvid acknowledged the significance of the competition to the club and its supporters.
Frankie said: “Declan, Elliott, and Tim, along with Paddy and Moko, have all spoken about how special this competition is to win with Glentoran. They have been drumming it into us just how much the Irish Cup means to the club and its supporters.
“We aim to win every trophy we compete for, but the Irish Cup holds a special place in Glentoran’s history. We’re fully focused on doing everything we can to bring the trophy back to the BetMcLean Oval.”
