Andy Kirk has some special cup memories from his career back in Northern Ireland, and now the Dunfermline striker is keen to add some more Scottish ones.
Success came early for the 31-year-old from Belfast in his home country, but it hasn’t been the same story across the water.
That could all change if the Pars knock out Aberdeen on Sunday and go all the way to Hampden like a few other first division teams have done in recent years.
Kirk said, “I got to the semi-final with Dunfermline in my first season here, but that’s as far as I’ve got in the cup over here.
“When I was just 16 I won the Irish Cup for Glentoran by beating Glenavon, so I’ve had more joy in Ireland than in Scotland.
“The match was played at Windsor Park in front of a full house. It’s part-time football in Ireland, but the cup is still a big deal.”
He added, “It was a great experience to have as a teenager, and I got used to success because the season after we won the league and other competitions.
“It would be nice to have some more success in the Scottish Cup.”
Had it been Mark McGhee’s Aberdeen they were facing rather than Craig Brown’s, Dunfermline might not have even been underdogs at the weekend.Goalscoring at level ParEven though there has been a mini revival at Pittodrie since the change of manager, however, Kirk still believes this is very much a winnable tie for the Fifers.
He said, “It’s certainly possible for us to do it. It’s a break from the pressures of the league and we’re all really looking forward to it.
“Aberdeen will be the favourites, but they were also the favourites a couple of seasons ago when we put them out on penalties.”
He added, “They seem to be much improved under Craig Brown, but we want to show everyone how good a team we are.
“We’ve been disappointed with our league form of late but we’re still right up there. We’ll need to get that sorted out, but we’re only thinking about Aberdeen this week.”
The team’s level may have dipped over the last few weeks, but Kirk’s own standards have risen.
He said, “I had four games without a goal a wee while ago. Thankfully, though, they’ve started flowing again.
“I’m on 16 for the season, and a few of those have come in the cups.”
He added, “I set targets at the start of the season. They are always high, but I keep them to myself.
“I’m on course to get there and I want to keep this run of goals going.”