'Really strong' Irish League forward back on the pitch, back on target and in ‘that’s me back’ call
Jamie McGonigle celebrated his first Coleraine goal of the campaign by declaring “that’s me back” after three months out due to injury.
McGonigle closed off the scoring kicked off by Jamie Glackin in a 2-0 weekend win that sent the Bannsiders back to winning ways following back-to-back defeats.
Now focus turns to Tuesday’s BetMcLean Cup quarter-final away to third-tier leaders Moyola Park – with McGonigle “trying to build up my minutes and getting the fitness back" following that scoresheet return.
“It felt like I got a good strike on it,” said McGonigle on the official Coleraine social media platforms around his goal. “Whenever I took my touch inside the ball sort of sat nicely and, once I hit it, I knew it always had a chance and, thankfully, it went down the corner.”
McGonigle, who played under current Coleraine boss Ruaidhri Higgins at Derry City, reflected on his time on the sidelines with quad issues – plus highlighted the support off the field and value of a recovery plan.
"It's been frustrating, surely,” said McGonigle, who joined played against Crusaders from the substitutes’ bench. "It's probably the first time I've been out that length of time with a serious injury.
"Conor McGoran was brilliant with me, the physio.
"We had a plan set out from the start and I just stuck to that as best I could and, thankfully, that's me back now.
“There's a lot of games, a lot of points to play for and especially after it was well documented after the last couple of games we had obviously two defeats.
"But it's nice now to bounce back with a win.
"And we go on to Tuesday night in the League Cup.
"Obviously if I'm selected...after being out so long it's just about now trying to build up my minutes and getting the fitness back.
"After 10 minutes there (v Crusaders) I was blowing...when you're out three months that happens but it's just brilliant to be back.”
McGonigle, a former Crusaders player, found the net over 20 times in league play at Derry City under Higgins.
"He tore his quad but, honestly, his application...how he's been training in the background, his own stuff in the gym, he's put on a lot of muscle,” said Higgins, who felt the 29-year-old was “unplayable” in the League of Ireland. "He looks really strong.”