'Two different scenarios': Declan Caddell explains exit of Crusaders duo ahead of coming up against them
Crusaders manager Declan Caddell says the January departures of Ross Clarke and Jarlath O’Rourke to Glentoran “were two different scenarios” as he prepares to come up against his former players for the first time on Saturday.
Having lost an array of experienced stars last summer – the likes of Billy Joe Burns, Jimmy Callacher, Adam Lecky and Philip Lowry all departed Seaview – Crues chief Caddell was dealt another double blow in the recent transfer window.
Clarke won three Irish Cups with Crusaders after arriving from Linfield in 2018 while O’Rourke made 246 appearances across six years at the North Belfast club.
The pair have both settled quickly into life at The Oval, making an immediate impact to help Declan Devine’s side maintain their Premiership title charge – they currently sit eight points behind leaders Larne but have two games in hand.
Caddell is in charge of the youngest squad in the Premiership – only one player aged over 27 started in last weekend’s defeat to Cliftonville while six of the line-up are experiencing their maiden Irish League campaign.
The departure of Clarke and O’Rourke was a further hit to Caddell’s already depleted supply of senior stars – Robbie Weir hasn’t been available since September due to injury and Jordan Owens announced his retirement earlier this month.
Caddell has highlighted the difficulty of acquiring proven Irish League talent in the current market, but feels his youthful squad is full of potential.
"Listen, they were two different scenarios,” explained Caddell. “Jarly was out of contract at the end of the year, he didn't want to sign a new contract.
"Ultimately, I want players who want to play for me.
"Ross Clarke, his was a different thing. It's a better lifestyle for him and his family, which I supported.
"It's one of those things...you're trying to get experienced players in. In this market over here, it's not as easy as what you might think...it is what it is.
"These are the players that I have, they're a talented bunch of young players. If you kept this team together for three or four years, you'd be really, really successful, but as we all know in football, time doesn't wait for anybody.”
Clarke, who celebrated Premiership title glory with Linfield, has started in each of Glentoran’s last three league matches and admits it will be odd coming up against his old team this weekend.
"It's always a strange experience when you come up against your former club for the first time,” said Clarke. "I joined them back in 2018, so Crusaders have been a big part of my playing career. I have lots of happy memories from my time there.
"I also have a lot of good friends at the club and it will be good to catch up with them again, but we have a job to do first and that's picking up three points.
"We produced a really good performance against Cliftonville on Tuesday night, particularly in the second half, and it’s important we hit those levels again.
"If we do then it gives us a really good chance of going on and picking up another win, that is certainly the aim."