Mark Coyle delighted to be a part of 'exciting project' at Coleraine after making cross-border switch
Mark Coyle says he is enjoying every minute of his time as a Coleraine player so far after joining the Bannsiders earlier this month.
Coyle joined forces with Coleraine after a deal was agreed with League of Ireland side Shelbourne at the start of this month’s window.
The 28-year-old brings a wealth of experience to The Showgrounds after previously being on the books at Finn Harps and Cockhill Celtic, prior to winning the League of Ireland title at Shelbourne in 2024.
Coyle has played in all three games since signing on the dotted line as Coleraine have picked up wins against Crusaders in the Premiership and Irish Cup, as well as 2-0 victory against Glenavon in league duty.
So, how is the Donegal native settling into life in his new surroundings?
He replied: “It's been very good now I must say...it's a great club.
"It's well run, everything's provided for us, the staff and the lads here are a great bunch so I've been enjoying it.
"The league's a bit different in that sense but I'm adjusting that way.
"It's been all good and I'm really looking forward to properly getting going, it's only been a few weeks as you said.
"It's just to really get my teeth into it now and I'm looking forward to that.”
Coyle is one of a number of players who has swapped the League of Ireland for a crack at football north of the border in recent years.
He believes that is down to the Irish League becoming a more attractive proposition with full-time teams and a better product on the pitch.
"There's probably a number of aspects to it,” he explained about players making the cross-border switch.
"For me, it's closer to home and things like that, so for personal reasons as well, it suited me.
"As soon as I spoke to Ruaidhri...it sounded like an exciting project and a project that I wanted to be a part of, especially when a manager speaks to you and he really wants you, you want to play for him.
“The same opportunities apply here in terms of Europe and that side of things as well. The standard of the league is obviously getting better and the more teams that become professional, it will keep continuing to improve.
"Hopefully, the league does go from strength to strength and continues in that vein.”
Coleraine are currently second in the Premiership ahead of Saturday’s encounter at Bangor, as well as progressing into the sixth-round of the Irish Cup and semi-final of the BetMcLean Cup.
With that in mind, Coyle would like to be successful during his tenure on the Ballycastle Road.
"It's a big club and it's probably been a few years since they've had that success,” he continued.
“The group of players and the staff that are here, that's what we want to do.
"I know by no means it will be easy at all. You look around the league, there's top teams in it and anybody can win it again.
"For me, it's about working hard and trying your best to make sure that them things happen.
"I'm not saying it's going to happen, but it's definitely something that we want to achieve.”