Captain’s Column

COLERAINE skipper Stephen O’Donnell hopes that his team-mates can use the pain from the Irish Cup semi-final defeat to Crusaders as a catalyst to reach European football…

It’s been a disappointing couple of weeks and results for us as a club. I’ve probably written that on too many occasions this season. Frustrating as it may be, we have to keep working. We have to keep pushing and we have to keep trying to improve. We have a decision to make as a club, as a group and as fans. Do we fall apart at the seams and let everyone outside our club laugh at us and think they’ve won? Do we point fingers and question each other? Or do we take the hard option to remain positive, stick together and show everyone else that we are united from top to bottom, from playing staff right through to the fans. Everything that has been built up over the last 18 months can’t be thrown away after a frustrating couple of months. The travelling fans that made the journey to Glenavon on Saturday were fantastic. Hopefully we can put a good run together between now and the end of the season and build some momentum going into the European play offs. That would be the way to reward everyone for a frustrating few weeks, a European trip. We’re determined to get that for you and the club.

The result against Crusaders was particularly difficult to take as it meant so much. The chance to return to the Irish Cup final. The chance to get our hands on that trophy again and we let it slip away. Difficult as it was to accept the penalty decision that went against us, I don’t think we done enough to win the game. I don’t think our performance level as a group was where it needed to be to win an Irish Cup semi-final. Crusaders played well, they landed on a lot of second balls and they played balls into the space and the channels early, which is what they are good at. Clear cut chances for us to win the game were few and far between. So as difficult as it is for me to accept, we probably didn’t do enough to win the game. When that happens, you must make sure and remember the pain. Remember the feeling from that game and make sure that the next time we’re in that position, we don’t lose. We don’t make the same mistakes. We had a lot of young players playing that game, who have been used to success. That feeling and that pain will stick with them and I’m hoping that the next time we reach an Irish Cup semi-final, there are no regrets.

We followed that game against Crusaders with two performances that were chalk and cheese. Away to Cliftonville we weren’t good enough defensively and gave away soft goals, whilst looking dangerous going forward. Then last week away to Glenavon we probably weren’t good enough in the final third of the pitch in creating and finishing chances, however looked back to ourselves defensively and done well as a team. The Cliftonville game maybe had that hangover from the Crusaders game. We were missing players and missing a solid defensive performance and as a defensive unit, we take the blame for that. Credit to the attacking players that came in for that game, I thought they played well that day and some of our attackers didn’t deserve to be on the losing team. Throughout the game, although we lost, we know we have enough to beat Cliftonville. We know that they will feel the same. But if the play off put us together, I know we have enough about us to win the game.

In the Glenavon game we had plenty of opportunities to be creative and score goals, we just couldn’t get there. For large parts of the game we were a threat going forward and comfortable at the back. The wind in the second half played a big part in them having more of the ball, but I thought that we managed it well and were more than in the game. The penalty decision that was given against us was extremely disappointing. Stephen Murray has dived and the referee has fell for it. For anyone who has seen it, they will know that it wasn’t a penalty. Simple as that. It wasn’t a penalty and it shouldn’t have been given. Unfortunately for us there have been too many refereeing decisions that have influenced our games this season. Hopefully between now and the end of the season we can stay controversy free.

I’m hoping that the next time we reach an Irish Cup semi-final, there are no regrets.

After those three results, we have an opportunity to go and win the derby this weekend. Ballymena beat us convincingly in the last game we played after we were down to ten men early doors. We haven’t forgotten how they celebrated. We haven’t forgotten how they laughed and jeered when G got sent off, or they got a goal that never crossed the line. It’s a game that won’t have much bearing on league positions, but it’s a game that we are desperate to win. Hopefully we put in a positive performance and win the game for you. I know how much the derbies mean and the boys will be working hard to win the game.

Finally, special mention to big Jamesy who recently made his 100th appearance for the club. An impressive achievement considering he has had 18 months of injuries. People like James are important to have about the club. Homegrown players who love the club, not to mention his outstanding finishing ability. James is a big part of our squad and going forward if he stays fit, I expect him to have a fantastic season next year. James is also part of the committee that charges the boys and collects the fines. An important job and he absolutely loves catching the boys and collecting the fines. It’s all good fun and it goes to a kitty for the end of season do. So here’s to many more appearances, many more goals and a lot more fine money.

People like James are important to have about the club

This weekend’s derby is important. It’s important that we play well. It’s important that we win. I know there will be a good travelling support and we want to win for you.

C’mon the Bannsiders!

Stephen O’Donnell