Ward's determined to get his hands on some silverware
GLENTORAN defender Sean Ward is doubly determined to wrestle the Premiership title away from Windsor Park this season.
The 23-year-old has been forced to endure three years of heartache in watching Linfield blitz all before them in the top flight.
The Blues recorded their third successive double in April this year, equalling a club record that dates back to the 19th century.
Ward admits the unparalleled success story has left him envious of his Linfield pals, but it has also made him obstinate in his desire to prise the Gibson Cup away from south Belfast and back to The Oval for the first time since 2005.
"I have friends who play for Linfield, and I am not ashamed to say that over the years I have been very jealous of what they have achieved.
"It is the league championships and Irish Cups that every player in the local game wants to win, and I am no different," Ward said.
"Lifting a trophy like the Gibson Cup makes all the work that you have put in throughout the duration of a season pay off. That's what I want to experience and savour with Glentoran.
"Glentoran is traditionally a successful club, and the current bunch of players wants to be no different, and I think this year we have a great chance of winning some major silverware.
"The talent is in the squad to lift the title, I have no doubt about it. Last season we did very well for the first half of the campaign then we suffered a blip.
"But we only ended up three points off Linfield. We basically ran out of steam and unfortunately out of games at the end.
"I think this year everyone has a point to prove, and the competition for places is immense this time.
"We are gunning for trophies this season so everyone wants to be part of the starting XI every week.
"The difference is this year that, because of the strength of the squad, Alan (McDonald) is able to make changes on a week-to-week basis, but at the same time the side remains strong."
Ward believes the 'Blues, Glens and Reds' monopoly at the Premiership summit appears to be grinding to a halt.
Crusaders currently lead the way in the new 12-team top-flight, with Glentoran, Linfield and Coleraine making up the top four.
Cliftonville continue to struggle in ninth place and 13 points off the summit.
"I am excited this season because the league isn't turning out the way everyone predicted.
"Everyone said it would be the usual Linfield, Glentoran and Cliftonville battle, but it is far from that," the gifted defender added.
"There have been so many twists and turns so far, and there will be plenty more to come. And a lot of clubs are dropping points.
"Bookmakers usually know in advance how much money they are going to win or lose on the title, but this season they'll probably be waiting until the last day of the season.
"The new 12-team format is working, and I think every club in the Premiership has strengthened.
"No team is running away with the league. You have the Big Two, and you also have teams like Crusaders, Lisburn Distillery and Coleraine all plugging away.
“They are more than capable of winning the league this season. They are more competitive than ever so it will be a battle to the end.”
This afternoon the Glens travel to Seaview for what could be deemed their toughest league assignment to date.
It sees the top two teams in the country lock horns, and Ward admits it will be a stern test of character for the Oval giants.
“Saturday is another massive game. Crusaders are top of the league and firing on all cylinders this season. They are flying high and will look at Saturday as being a massive chance for them to forge clear at the top,” he said.
“They dropped a couple of points last Saturday against Glenavon, and I am sure they will be disappointed.
“Crusaders are a prime example of a side that has strengthened over the summer.
“Players like Mark Dickson and Gareth McKeown have played at the highest level.
“Unfortunately it didn’t work out for them at their previous clubs, but they have found a better karma at Crusaders and they are reaping the benefits.
“But all we can focus on is Glentoran Football Club. We take one game at a time and our next one is the most important.
“At the end of last season we reflected on the year and said we can’t look too far ahead of ourselves. We take it one game at a time because this will be a very competitive year. This is a very tight league.”
There was bad news for Crusaders last night as defender Gareth McKeown was suspended for two matches. His ban starts on Monday.
Glenvon assistant manager Alan Fraser has also been banned for four matches.
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Weather for Belfast
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 4 C to 9 C
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