Cardiff fly the flag

CARDIFF will proudly fly the flag as Wembley provides the showpiece to what has been a miraculous sporting year for the Welsh

Cardiff's fairytale run to their first FA Cup final since 1927 continues an annus mirabilis for sport in Wales – from the country's stunning Grand Slam at the Six Nations and the Ospreys' triumph in the EDF Energy Cup to Swansea City's championship win in League One, and Joe Calzaghe's heroics in the boxing ring.

Dave Jones will lead his team out at Wembley this afternoon against a backdrop of thousands of Welsh flags, and while deep-rooted rivalry will prevent the whole of the country uniting behind Cardiff, the vast majority of the Principality's three million inhabitants will be willing them to plunder England's most celebrated trophy.

As well as the chance to make history, a place in next season's Uefa Cup is an added incentive for Cardiff – as if one was needed – and considering the team has soldiered on in face of serious financial adversity, their efforts border on the incredible.

Just days before Cardiff faced Barnsley at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final, a High Court judge rejected a bid by a Swiss investment bank to force the club to repay a £24 million loan. One landmark victory was swiftly followed by another as Joe Ledley's super goal booked a place in the final.

It was a particularly sweet moment for the Bluebirds' manager Jones. Six months earlier the Liverpudlian's job was hanging by a thread, as goal difference alone kept his side from sliding into the relegation zone. There were even death threats against him.

However Cardiff, buoyed by the contributions of Scottish trio Gavin Rae, Kevin McNaughton and Stephen Thompson, rallied valiantly and even flirted briefly with a play-off push, before settling for mid-table solidity as their cup heroics took on a primary importance few could have dreamt about. Now, Jones is 90 minutes away from becoming a legend, and he is revelling in the feelgood factor prevalent in his adopted homeland.

"Wales is a good place to be at the moment, it has been a special year for everybody," Jones said.

"Every part of the country has a spell of sporting success and this is Wales' vintage year and at Wembley on Saturday we'll do all we can to ensure the good run continues."

This vintage year is less than five months old, but already Wales have enjoyed their hottest streak of success in decades, with Ryan Giggs title-clinching goal for Manchester United last weekend yet another example.

The omens were already good when Joe Calzaghe was voted the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year as 2007 drew to a close, and last month Britain's finest boxer took his reputation to new heights when he mastered the great Bernard Hopkins.

Warren Gatland, whose Wales side stylishly swept all before them in the Six Nations to win the Grand Slam, said: "The achievements of Joe Calzaghe, Ryan Giggs and Cardiff City are successes every Welshman can be proud of."

The core of that Wales side also play for the Neath-Swansea Ospreys, and they have already tasted glory in London, by beating Leicester at Twickenham to win the EDF Energy Cup.

"Is it a coincidence that we have all achieved these things at the same time? Probably, but, as well as a lot of hard work, a little bit of luck in the right places has probably helped us all along the way too," added Gatland.

Back on the football pitch, Swansea City's achievements this season may have been dwarfed by Cardiff's charge to Wembley, but they have enjoyed an outstanding season under the guidance of former Motherwell player Roberto Martinez. The 34-year-old Spaniard appears destined for the top in management and Swansea have rewarded their prize asset with a contract until 2012.

Former Dundee United and St Johnstone striker Jason Scotland was the Swans' top goalscorer with a haul of 29 goals, while former SPL regulars Dorus de Vries and Darryl Duffy have also played their part.

Now they can look forward to South Wales derbies against their arch-rivals next season, something Jones is relishing. "We were even delighted that Swansea City won promotion to the Championship as it'll add a little extra spice to an already tough division," he said.

"We have taken pride in the achievements of the other sports and Joe Calzaghe wearing a Cardiff shirt at his weigh-in before the Hopkins fight suggest the feelings sometimes are mutual. Everyone is talking about Welsh sport."

Everyone except poor Wrexham. There was not quite enough Welsh magic dust to sprinkle round, and the club which famously eliminated Arsenal from the 1992 FA Cup, has dropped into the Conference after occupying the bottom spot in League Two.