STUART THOMPSON believes CSNI can head into Sunday’s Irish Senior Cup final with the pressure lifted after finally getting their hands on silverware last weekend.

The former Ireland international captained his side to Challenge Cup glory against Instonians at Stormont and now takes them to Clontarf hoping to complete a memorable cup double.

Standing in their way are 2019 winners Pembroke, a side Thompson readily acknowledges as the benchmark in Irish club cricket.

The Dubliners’ remarkable strength in depth was underlined again in midweek when they reached the All-Ireland T20 Cup final by beating Newbuildings despite having five players away on international duty.

For Thompson, though, CSNI’s Challenge Cup triumph means they can travel south with confidence rather than carrying the burden of trying to salvage something tangible from an otherwise excellent season.

“I think it was key to come away with a minimum of one trophy anyway after reaching two finals,” he said.

“I’m glad we did win it, so any sort of pressure that was there to get silverware is kind of gone and we can go and enjoy Sunday.

“But still, obviously, we’re there to win it. Absolutely. It is a little bit of pressure off with one trophy already in the bank.”

CSNI’s success has been built around a side that mixes Thompson’s considerable experience with a generation of exciting young players who have grown up together through the club and representative pathways.

Ashwin Hebbar provides the overseas quality, while Thompson, Marc Ellison and Andrew Cowden supply some of the know-how around an emerging core.

“It’s a good blend of experience and youth, and then also just that sprinkle of class from Ashwin,” said Thompson.

“We’ve plenty of youngsters in there, so they bring all the energy, they bring the vibe, so to speak.

“Then me, Cowdy and Ellie just temper all that enthusiasm, keep everyone’s feet on the ground and add a little bit of wisdom where we can.”

The development of that young group has been particularly satisfying for Thompson.

CSNI did not have the financial muscle to simply recruit a ready-made team, and necessity accelerated the promotion of players who were already showing considerable promise.

“The patience that the club has had, not only with the youngsters but with me as well, has been important,” he said.

“It wasn’t just my theory or strategy going forward to go with youngsters. Our hands were quite tied in terms of finances as well.

“But it’s all well and good bleeding youngsters and getting as many through the books — that group that we have has always been very talented.

“They won all their trophies growing up together. I think they all played in an Under-19 World Cup and they’ve all then progressed through the Knights and Emerging Knights.

“So they are a talented bunch and that does make it a lot easier. We just did it probably earlier than a lot of other clubs.

“It’s starting to pay off now, which is great.”

Their progress will receive its sternest examination yet against Pembroke.

The Sydney Parade club are chasing an extraordinary haul of five trophies and their ability to keep winning despite losing leading players to international duty has not gone unnoticed by Thompson.

“I know we’re getting our praises for bleeding youngsters and having that sort of model of bringing players through, but Pembroke have been doing that for years,” he said.

“They’re maybe three, four or five years ahead of where we want to be.

“They’ve got all the talent down there and a few players coming from YM strengthened them even more and added more depth.

“They’re a quality outfit. They’re going for all five trophies, so it just shows exactly what we’re up against.”

Thompson, however, sees the occasion as much as an opportunity as a threat.

“I am excited to play them. I think it’ll be a great challenge and I do believe if you’re going to win the Irish Cup, you have to go and beat everyone.

“Pembroke are the best team. They’re going to be the biggest challenge that we’ve faced all season for sure, but it’s one that we’re excited for and one that we’re not going to back down from.

“It’ll tell us where we’re at as well.

“If we go and beat them, we fully deserve it. If they happen to beat us, then we know what marker they have set for us to aim at as well.”

For Thompson, captaincy has also given fresh purpose to the latter stages of a distinguished playing career.

The 35-year-old won 58 caps for Ireland across the formats, but these days it is trying to outthink opponents and guide CSNI’s youngsters that keeps the competitive spark burning.

“It’s what keeps me involved, to be honest,” he admitted.

“It keeps me excited and keeps me engaged throughout the game.

“As long as my mind’s still working, I love being captain. I love trying to solve the puzzles and the problems that I’m faced with week in, week out.

“I could do without trying to get a team together during the week and organising umpires and stuff!

“But once we go on the field, I love it. The young boys give me the energy and they give me plenty of challenges as well to keep me active.”

CSNI will travel with an unchanged side from last weekend’s Challenge Cup triumph.

“That’s probably our strongest team,” Thompson confirmed. “Everyone happens to be available for the final, which is great.”

He could not resist a smile at the sudden improvement in availability once medals were on offer.

“The old midweek rearrangements seem to be quite scarce, but as soon as the finals are around, everyone turns up to training again!”

There is also a significant historical thread running through Sunday’s occasion.

CSNI’s predecessors were the inaugural winners of the Irish Senior Cup in 1982, before the later amalgamation which created the current club.

More than four decades on, Thompson says that connection with generations of former players has been evident throughout the week.

“We’ve been getting messages all week and there were quite a few of the old players present for the Challenge Cup final as well, which was great to see,” he said.

“To have that lasting connection with former players, and all the congratulations afterwards, was great.

“There’s a real family, community feel about the place, especially this year, and I’m sure a lot of them will be travelling down to watch us in Dublin on Sunday.

“It’s full circle.

“Obviously none of our boys have got close to winning it. I certainly haven’t in my time and Ellie mentioned that he hasn’t won it either.

“So it’s a first for a lot of us, but one to be very, very excited for.”

One trophy is already safely in the cabinet.

On Sunday, Thompson and CSNI will find out whether this developing side is ready to add one of the biggest prizes in Irish club cricket to it.