O’Kane now has a head for heights

All this week, Bournemouth’s Irish midfield axis of Eunan O’Kane and Harry Arter have been reminded of past glories but today’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Liverpool offers their own chance to create history.

Managers typically deploy motivational tools to inspire their underdogs in such mismatches and the grainy footage shown by Eddie Howe to his squad of the club’s famous 1984 cup win over holders Manchester United has supplied a taster of what can be achieved for the Championship newcomers.

This afternoon’s occasion, played before a sold-out Goldsands Stadium, befits two Irish players back centre stage following lulls in their careers that could easily have turned permanent had their willpower levels receded.