Match Reaction

Burke hoping to cement place

BANNSIDERS midfielder Cormac Burke spoke to the press after netting his first goal in Coleraine colours on Friday night…

The ex-Dungannon Swifts man was handed his first start since making the switch to The Showgrounds and he made the most of his opportunity after giving the Stripes a 2-1 lead, before further strikes from Eoin Bradley and James McLaughlin sealed all three points.

The L/Derry man insists it was a ‘perfect evening’ all round at the Newry Showgrounds.

“To be honest, I was just delighted to get my first start,” he said.

“When you consider we got all three points, I got my first goal and my first start, it was a perfect evening.

“The ball came across the box and took a nick off Skinner, but thankfully I managed to hit it nicely into the net.”

The 25-year-old also counts Institute as one of his former clubs and he hopes to have done enough to feature against them next weekend at the Brandywell.

Burke revealed that he knew he had to fight for his place in the team after linking up with Rodney McAree again back in January.

“Hopefully I’ve done enough to start next week against one of my old clubs,” he added.

“I started my career at Institute and it would be great to play against them.

“There is a strong competition for places at the club now.

“I’ve been here for a couple of months now and I have seen the standard.

“I know I have a fight on my hands to play and I had to wait for my chance and hopefully I’ve taken it.

“It’s important that I gave Rodney a headache in terms of selection and your space at this club isn’t guaranteed as we have a big squad full of quality.

“Maybe we have underachieved this year in the league but I was under no illusions that when I signed, I had to fight for my place.”

Burke heaped praise on defender Steven Douglas who was utilised at right-back against City.

“He is a Rolls Royce,” he concluded.

“I’ve never seen anyone like him before as he doesn’t even warm-up or anything like that.

“He is 41-years-old and the experience he brings is exceptional.”