Declan Devine pinpoints event which 'did irreparable damage' to Oval pitch as Glentoran chief defends groundsman
Glentoran manager Declan Devine hopes Tuesday’s BetMcLean Cup semi-final showdown with Coleraine can go ahead as scheduled at The Oval – and pinpointed an event which he feels “did irreparable damage” to their home pitch.
Originally scheduled to be held in East Belfast last Wednesday, the last-four clash was postponed due to damage and flooding caused by Storm Chandra.
It was the second consecutive match called off at The Oval following a failed pitch inspection ahead of a Premiership fixture against Cliftonville on January 25.
Many grass pitches across the Irish League have struggled to contend with recent weather conditions – Ballymena United had to postpone four matches, including two attempts to play their Irish Cup tie against Larne, throughout January.
Devine also believes hosting Northern Ireland’s U21s 2027 European Championship qualifier in torrential rainfall back in mid-November has also had a devastating impact on their pitch.
Three of Glentoran’s next four matches across all competitions will be held at home, including Saturday’s Irish Cup sixth round visit of Drumaness Mills, and Devine wants to make the most of them.
"I’m really hopeful the game (against Coleraine) will be on, and the one thing I will say is our groundsman works harder than any groundsman,” Devine told BBC Sportsound. “Sammy is outstanding, he does a lot of work behind the scenes.
"You can’t legislate for the weather, but one of the biggest factors for me was Northern Ireland U21s against Latvia, I think that did irreparable damage to the pitch and surface.
"Anytime there has been adverse weather, it has taken its toll. We will be doing everything in our power, Sammy has been working so hard on it over recent weeks. We want to get back to The Oval and get our home form bang at it.”
Devine has been busy throughout the transfer window, bolstering his squad with the arrivals of Ben Gallagher, Jack Malone, Ross Clarke, Jarlath O’Rourke and Aaron McEneff – the latter trio all made their debuts in Saturday’s 2-0 Premiership win over Dungannon Swifts.
Former Derry City chief Devine has been in his current role for just under two years after succeeding Warren Feeney, and he admits there were serious issues when he first arrived.
"Everybody that’s here is because I’ve kept them here or wanted them here,” he added. “When I first came in just under two years ago, the squad wasn’t in a healthy place, the mentality wasn’t in a healthy place, the professionalism wasn’t in a healthy place.
"You’re not going to change the world in one or two windows.
"I have to say the backing the owner (Ali Pour) and Paul Millar has given us has been second to none. I think we have a lot of Glentoran players now – players that will work hard, play for the badge and play for the fans, but will also try and entertain as well.
"I know how football works, it’s a results business, but it was important for me that we got an identity back to the club and a bit of belief.
"Top players want to come and play for Glentoran again, that was key. When you can attract some of the players we have, especially in this window and the last one, that’s testament to the club.”