CUMNOCK Juniors manager Brian McGinty was lost for words both physically and mentally as his side reached the Scottish Junior Cup final.

His voice was nearly completely gone following their 4-2 derby win against Glenafton in the semi-final on Friday, April 14 - though he insisted this was after a wee-long battle with illness.

However, the jubilant gaffer still found the time to speak to the Chronicle about the victory at Meadow Park which saw them secure a final berth for the first time since 2008.

"It was brilliant," he said, as he described his emotions after the full time whistle.

McGinty continued: “I think you take it as a one off game, that’s what semi-finals are obviously. It takes big performances to win them but it’s just about winning.

“In saying that, I thought it was 50/50 first half. I think Glenafton had the better chances, I think we probably played a bit better.

“Second half I thought we were immense. I thought we thoroughly deserved to win the game.”

It had been a tough game until half time for the Nock - with Glenafton enjoying the better chances in the first half.

Cumnock Chronicle: The opening exchanges left McGinty frustrated.The opening exchanges left McGinty frustrated. (Image: Charlie Gilmour Photography)

Though Findlay Frye's penalty on the stroke of half-time changed the game.

In the second half, Frye's second penalty of the evening, a smart Jordan Moore finish and own goal gave Cumnock a 4-0 lead - meaning late goals from Hugh Kerr and Michael Moffat had little bearing on the outcome, not that it felt like that to McGinty.

“It feels great to be 4-0 up, when it goes to 4-2 it’s no great!" he joked.

“I thought we were well worth our lead, maybe not four, I think that would be disrespectful to Glenafton, but I thought second half we were really good.

“When it went to 4-2 I think I asked the fourth official six or seven times how long was to play because you do start worrying.

“But nothing’s going to take the gloss off tonight.”

He added how the win was great not just on a personal level, but for the whole club and town.

McGinty added: “I’m delighted for everybody associated with the club. A lot of people put a lot of work in behind the scenes to help the players.

“I’m delighted for a group of players that just gave absolutely everything for the club tonight.

“And the supporters sound like they had a good night as well.”

Cumnock Chronicle: Supporter generated an electric atmosphere at Meadow Park.Supporter generated an electric atmosphere at Meadow Park. (Image: Charlie Gilmour Photography)

Of course, McGinty too had a good night, we assume, as he sat patiently waiting to open a beer as he spoke to the Chronicle.

But the hard work is not done, and McGinty is well aware of this.

He said: “As I’ve said to a few people, it’s not an achievement to make it to a final. An achievement is going and winning it.

“It’s a great result, we’ll go enjoy our night, but on Sunday we’ll start looking forward.”