Manager’s programme notes
Posted : 2nd January 2023
Today we will begin the New Year with a hugely challenging assignment against a Coleraine team that is always hard to beat.
These notes have to be compiled before the Boxing Day derby at the Oval but hopefully, we will have come away from that game with a positive result, to set us up nicely for another tough encounter today.
We know we will face eight games in three competitions in the month of January but as always, we will approach each of those games on a one game at a time basis, starting with Oran Kearney’s team today.
Before Christmas, we were delighted to pick up three points from a 4-0 home win against Dungannon Swifts in what was a thoroughly professional and pleasing team performance.
One of the highlights of the game was the late goal by young Liam McStravick who only a day earlier, had signed his first professional contract, pledging his future at the club until the end of next season. He’s a very mature young player who wants to be the best player that he can possibly be and I’m delighted to have rewarded him with this richly deserved professional contract.
Another highlight of that game was the landmark 700th appearance of our inspirational captain, Jamie Mulgrew. He deserves the appreciation of everyone at the club for his incredible service and loyalty over the past 17 plus years.
The Dungannon game also saw a pleasing return from long term injury for Jordan Stewart. He looked very lively when he came on for a late sub appearance in what was his first appearance since the final European game.
Our medical team are working hard to try and get more of our players back from injury. We are hopeful that another long term absentee, Ben Hall won’t be too far away from a return to the squad and other players who missed the Dungannon game and who we will hope to have available as soon as possible in the New Year include Robbie McDaid, Niall Quinn, Andrew Clarke and Kirk Millar.
Unfortunately, we will expect to be missing Stephen Fallon for several months, due to a knee injury and that’s a huge blow to us, as he has become a highly influential player at the club.
The January transfer window opens today and as always, we will be monitoring all available options, to see if there are any opportunities to strengthen the squad, to help us compete for honours in the league and in the three domestic cup competitions.
I know the fixture schedule will be a burden to the finances of so many of our supporters at this challenging time of year but I want to thank our supporters for their loyalty and dedication and certainly, we will be doing all we can to try and reward everyone with silverware over the coming months.
In closing, can I take this opportunity to wish supporters and everyone at the club a very Happy and a very prosperous New Year.