Seven years ago the Giants lost their one and only Challenge Cup Final 5-0 to the Ayr Scottish Eagles in a final that became known as ‘Black Sunday’ among Giants fans because of the Black jersey’s the team wore for the game. The game was also broadcast on BBCni live — the first and last time that has ever happened to the Giants — and with a team that had dominted everyone all season long it was the perfect chance to show the people of Northern Ireland what these dominant Giants were all about.

Of course things didn’t go remotely to play as the Eagles shocked the Giants 5-0 and the boys never recovered. They had already won the league but following this defeat their season went to hell in a hand basket and they didn’t even make the playoffs final four.

Fast forward seven whole years, a league name change, local players now involved and a bunch of old teams gone and new teams in and the challenge cup remains and remains a trophy the Giants cannot get a trip on. In fact they cannot even get to the final. At least until tonight.

They have finally qualified and they are currently battling the Manchester Phoenix. This one isn’t on the BBC and the trophy is now played over two-legs.

The bad news?

At the time of writing, somewhere in the third period the Giants are 4-1 down. It’s not 5-0 I suppose and they at least get a shot at recovering the defecit in the home leg but it’s hardly ideal for a team looking to break their Challenge Cup curse.

The Phoenix scored early and often in this contest racing out to a four goal lead through the first thirty minutes in scenes remenicent of seven years ago. Thankfully though the Giants found the goal — their first goal in Challenge Cup Finals — through captain George Awada.

On the subject: Challenge Cup, Challenge Cup Final, George Awada, Manchester Phoenix | ALL SUBJECTS |

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