Mick McDermott predicting a real title battle

The Inver Park side have made an impressive start to the new campaign winning all three of their Danske Bank Premiership games to date and also reaching the final of the County Antrim Shield.

Many are predicting Tiernan Lynch’s men to lead a title charge this season, McDermott agrees but he also feels there will be a number of clubs slugging it out for the Gibson Cup.

“There’s always surprises in this league, it’s a long, hard season, with a long dark winter coming in. Anything could happen,” said the Glens Head Coach.

“Are Larne good enough to be a title contender? Absolutely.

“As are Coleraine, Glentoran, Cliftonville, Linfield etc.

“It all comes down to how you perform week in, week out.

“It’s a long road ahead and I’ll leave that debate up to the bookies.

“Larneare well drilled, well coached and good in possession.

“We are familiar with them as they are with us, so it could turn out to be a cracker.

“We had a few crackers with them last year.

“They have their style of play and they stick to it.

“They try to play football and that’s a credit to them.

“I think it’s brilliant what they’re doing, they are making waves in the league and forcing other teams to improve.

“Every team is improving and I think you can see that in the league.

“There’s a big prize at stake and I think every team knows that.”

The Glens are still looking for their first league win of the season, but McDermott says win or lose they won’t get carried away.

“I think after ten games last year we had about 14 points, then we went on a 17 game run without losing,” he said.

“It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. If you don’t get a result over two or three games you don’t hit any panic buttons.

“It’s the same if you win two or three games, you don’t get carried away.”

It should be a real firecracker of a game at The Oval with Larne buoyant after reaching the Co Antrim Shield Final.

“I couldn’t be more proud of everyone involved with the club at the moment,” said boss Tiernan Lynch about their win over Linfield.

“It’s a great first step for us, hopefully we can go on and deliver.

“Our objective this year was to progress on last season. This is the first trophy of the season, we’ve got ourselves to the final. We have to go and build on that now.

“The boys were excellent as it can be difficult playing against ten men sometimes.

“We showed great patience and kept moving the ball.”

Lynch is also determined to keep his side’s feet on the ground despite their impressive start.

The Larne boss admitted confidence is high in the camp, but added it was important for his squad to keep working hard to make sure they get something from the game.

“We don’t get carried away, we keep our feet firmly on the ground,” said Lynch.

“While the train is moving we make sure we stay on it.

“Glentoran are a top side and make no bones about that.

“They have top players, but it was always going to take time for them to gel.

“If we are going to get anything out of the game then we’ll have to be at our best.

“We know the task ahead, we have loads of confidence as we are in a good place, but we’ll have to work hard to get anything from the game.”