Manager’s programme notes
Posted : 2nd November 2019
Today we will welcome a Carrick Rangers team that will come here in good spirits, on the back of successive 1-0 home wins against Warrenpoint Town and Dungannon Swifts. Their manager Niall Currie will have his team well prepared for today’s game and they will play without fear and full of belief.
We were delighted with our 1-0 win against Cliftonville in the midweek League Cup quarter final - a hard fought but thoroughly deserved win against a team that came into the game in fine winning form.
The 1-0 win on Tuesday was a great response to the disappointing setback of the defeat in last weekend’s game at Coleraine. It was a game where we lacked a cutting edge and although I felt we should have come away with a point, the home club grabbed a late winner and unfortunately, we were unable to come up with an equaliser.
In our previous home games against Ballymena and Warrenpoint, we recorded pleasing and important wins, to help us make progress in our league campaign.
We welcomed Josh Robinson back to first team action in the midweek home win against Cliftonville but we will have to assess the fitness of several players - Jamie Mulgrew, Ryan McGivern and Shayne Lavery who had to come off with knocks during that game.
We have lots of big games ahead and we will have to call upon all available resources in our squad, to help us deal with the considerable demands on our squad. We have recently welcomed Jordan Stewart back to first team match action and in the coming weeks, we will hope to see a similar return for Chris Casement, Daniel Kearns and Mark Haughey.
I want to congratulate the Swifts team on reaching the Steel and Sons Cup semi-final against Larne Tech O.B. on November 22 and I hope the Rangers team are successful in their Youth Cup game today away to Ballinamallard United.
Congratulations also to Dale Taylor and Charlie Allen who were selected for under 17 international duty in Luxembourg and games against Turkey, Italy and the host country.
Three of our players have earned richly deserved contract extensions, to take effect upon the expiry of their existing contracts at the end of this season. Jamie Mulgrew has agreed a one year extension, while Stephen Fallon and Alex Moore have committed their futures to the club, by way of two year extensions. Over the coming weeks, I will continue to talk with other players about their intentions and hopefully, we will have more good news to announce in due course.
Prior to the kick off in today’s game, it will be a humbling honour for me to lay a wreath on behalf of the club in the centre circle, by way of sincere tribute to the Fallen in the two world wars and other conflicts.
Our supporters turned up in large numbers at last week’s game in Coleraine. Unfortunately, we were unable to give you the result we wanted but your dedication and loyalty was nevertheless greatly appreciated. With lots of big games ahead, we will continue to rely on our supporters to get behind each and every one of our players in every game. Your support really can make a vital difference and contribute to the success of the team, so please continue to get behind the team in every game.