TOMMY CASSIDY has charted the exciting way ahead for his triumphant Irish Cup winning team.

The jubilant Glentoran manager expects his emerging young braves to boss Irish League football for the next five years.

This is only the start, he enthused, after they had defeated Glenavon 1-0 in a disappointing IFA Cup final at Windsor Park on Saturday. Cassidy with European qualification providing the wherewith all, intends to strengthen his squad.

He is resigned to losing match winning striker Glen Little who scored a glorious goal. Little came to Glentoran from Crystal Palace and his manager reckons he will go back to England. "It is inevitable," said Cassidy.

The shattering letdown could signal the end of some of the big name Glenavon stars as gutted manager Nigel Best takes stock.

There is certain to be a ruthless pruning of the Mourneview Park playing staff and a question mark over the future of centre forward Glenn Ferguson who wants to leave the club.