Manager’s programme notes
Posted : 1st October 2023
Over the course of this weekend, we will welcome Newry City and Queen's University to Windsor Park for important games in the Sports Direct Premiership and BetMcLean Cup.
I watched Newry City in their previous game at home to Dungannon Swifts and they showed plenty of battling spirit to fight for a point. I fully expect they will come here today prepared to give their all in their fight for points, to help move them away from the danger zone at the bottom of the table.
As proud holders of the BetMcLean Cup trophy, we want to get our defence of the trophy we won last season off to a positive start. We recall how we suffered at the hands of Queen's University in an Irish Cup tie at the Dub a couple of seasons ago, so we will be determined to avoid a repeat of the major disappointment we endured on that day.
I've been delighted with our 2-0 victories in both of our most recent games - against Loughgall and Crusaders. Loughgall is a tough venue and opponent, as several teams have discovered this season but I thought we came away with a hard-fought but deserved win. Jack Scott came on for an injured Daniel Finlayson to score the all-important goals and thankfully, Daniel recovered to be able to play in the midweek win against Crusaders.
Joel Cooper and Matthew Fitzpatrick scored two excellent goals in our win against Crusaders on Tuesday and I was delighted for Matthew that he got the first of what we hope will be many goals for the club.
Crusaders started the season strongly and we know from last season how difficult they are to beat, so to come away with a well-deserved win and another clean sheet was most pleasing.
Jamie Mulgrew was ill and Jack Scott picked up a slight injury at Loughgall, so they missed the Crusaders game so we will assess their fitness ahead of today's game.
Stephen Fallon had to come off injured in the midweek game against Crusaders and the extent of the injury will be assessed by our medical team before today's game. Kirk Millar came off the bench in place of Stephen and it means that Kirk's next game will be his 400th appearance for the club.
At the other end of the scale, Aodhan Doherty made his first team debut in the recent home County Antrim Shield game against Larne and I was delighted that in midweek he agreed his first professional contract, committing his future at the club until the end of the 2025-26 season. He was part of the match day squad for our home and away European games against KF Vllaznia and Pogon Szczecin and the award of a professional contract has been deserved. I believe he can make a significant contribution to the club over the coming years.
Robbie McDaid and Jordan Stewart continue to make steady progress on the comeback trail from long term injury.
We had strong support in our recent games against Loughgall and Crusaders and we will need more of the same positive vocal encouragement in what we expect will be further challenging games over the course of this weekend.