David Healy programme notes v Coleraine
Posted : 1st March 2021
This evening we will face a huge challenge from a highly talented Coleraine squad that will come here full of confidence, following their 1-0 derby win away to Ballymena in midweek.
Coleraine pushed us really hard in last season's league campaign and I fully expect them to maintain their title challenge to the very end of this season.
We are delighted to be in a pleasing position at the top of the table but we know how difficult and challenging it is going to be to maintain that position until the end of the season.
We will continue to work hard and take each game on a one game at a time basis, aiming to collect as many points as we possibly can.
Ross Larkin will continue to be an injury doubt, as a result of the knock he picked up in our recent win away to Crusaders and Stephen Fallon will continue to receive attention ahead of tonight's game.
I want to welcome our new signings Cameron Palmer and Michael Newberry. I know both lads well from their involvement with the Northern Ireland underage squads and they will provide added quality to the squad. They will also increase the competition levels across the squad and they've settled in well in their first few weeks in training. Both players have joined us until the end of next season and they are keen to make a positive impression in our team.
I'm also delighted that Jamie Mulgrew has signed a contract extension that will keep our inspirational captain with us for another season. Similarly, it's also good news that Kirk Millar has extended his stay with us, by agreeing a further one year contract extension that will commit him to the club until the end of the 2023/24 season.
Several players left us during the course of the January transfer window and I want to thank the following for their contribution during their time with us - Bastien Hery who's moved to Bohemians, Ethan Boyle who's joined Finn Harps, Daniel Kearns who's signed for Cliftonville and Matthew Shevlin who's now with today's opponents Coleraine. I want to extend to them all, every best wish with their new clubs.
Brandon Doyle has joined Warrenpoint on loan and Eamon Scannell has moved to Portadown on loan, both until the season end and I want to wish them well during their loan spells.
Congratulations to Jordan Stewart who's been rewarded for his recent excellent performances with the award of January Player of the Month from the Football Writers. His goal at Glenavon also earned him the Goal of the Month award and hopefully he and our other flair players can continue to impress until the season end.
I also want to pay tribute to Mark Stafford, a hugely popular and committed player who could make his 150th appearance for this club in tonight's game.
We are all missing our supporters enormously but we know you will be following the action on tonight's live BBC stream. It would have been great to have our fans at the away end at Seaview when Jimmy Callacher scored the dramatic late winner a couple of weeks ago and hopefully, it won't be too long until circumstances will allow the return of supporters to all grounds.