Lurgan Celtic boss Colin Malone hopes to take Hoops right to the top

Lurgan Celtic boss Colin Malone insists the next stop for his team is the Danske Premiership!
Linfield's Sean Ward and Lurgan Celtic's Dale MaloneLinfield's Sean Ward and Lurgan Celtic's Dale Malone
Linfield's Sean Ward and Lurgan Celtic's Dale Malone

The Hoops produced an eye-catching battling performance in Saturday’s Tennent’s Irish Cup semi final against Linfield at Windsor Park.

They just couldn’t handle the predatory instincts of midfielder Aaron Burns as their legs tired in the second half.

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But Malone believes there were many ‘positives’ to take from his team’s display.

“It was a gutsy performance,” he said. “We worked extremely hard from start to finish.

“The second half was difficult but I can’t fault the effort and commitment of every one of them. They ran themselves into the ground and tried everything.

“I think we did cause Linfield some problems, but obviously as the game wore on the legs started to go.

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“What we really took away was our name. We can hold our heads high and we leave having given it our best shot.

“Players, their families and supporters can go away feeling pleased with the performance if not the result.”

Malone believes the sky is now the limit for his club.

“This has kept the momentum going . . . and had to the platform to build on,” he adds.

“We were promoted last year and people expected us to be happy to consolidate our place, but I think we’ve exceeded all expectations.

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“We’ve gone into Championship One and performed very well and we’re sitting third with everything still to play for in terms of a title challenge. With that performance you can see why and we aim to be in the Premiership as soon as possible.

“This was a massive step in the right direction.”

Goalkeeper Gavin O’Neill, who was making only his second appearance for Celtic, admitted it was a dream to play at the international venue.

O’Neill, a GAA player with St Mary’s from Aghagallon, was drafted in to replace the suspended Conor McCorry, who was dismissed last week against Annagh United.Shot

“I only got the phone call on Tuesday,” said O’Neill.

“I think there were about seven players from outfield were looking to do nets!

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“We trained Tuesday and I did a few work outs at the local park, then on Thursday I had a full session.

“I didn’t find out until this morning after breakfast that I would be playing.

“But the boys keep talking to me throughout the match was great.

“Only three got past me so it could have been worse.”

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