Interview

Henderson grateful for trust

COLERAINE goalkeeper Alex Henderson has thanked Oran Kearney for placing his trust in him after being called-up to the first team squad this season…

Henderson was drafted into the first-team panel after an injury sustained to Gareth Deane ended the shot stopper’s season.

The 16-year-old was on the bench for several matches throughout April and May to provide cover for Martin Gallagher as Coleraine earned European football for 2021/22.

Henderson, who hails from Limavady, is part of the Northern Ireland Academy and spends the majority of his week combining training and studying in Belfast.

“I train on a Monday right through to Friday whilst studying at Belfast High School,” he said.

“I come home on a Friday night, play for Coleraine on the Saturday and then return to Belfast on a Sunday, so it’s a tight schedule.

“It was really good to get the call-up by Oran and be in that environment, as well as showing what I could do.

“Unfortunately, I was called up because of the injury Gareth picked up but I knew had to make the most of the opportunity.

“I have learned a lot from Gareth and Martin and I’ve regularly travelled down a night from Belfast to see how they do it and the level it takes to succeed.

“Training with Northern Ireland is really good as it’s my own age group but it really steps up a gear when you move into senior football as the ball is hit harder and it quickens up your reflexes.”

Henderson is hoping to forge a career in the mainland in the future but knows his game is developing nicely on the Ballycastle Road.

“I currently play for the 20’s and I thoroughly enjoy it,” he continued.

“In the future, I would love to get a contract across the water and hopefully impress during trials.

“Unfortunately, when COVID hit there was no football for ages and despite training on an individual basis, it is no substitute for what you go through during a match or proper training.

“I would like to thank Oran, Michael Doherty and everyone in the backroom staff for being welcoming and for putting their trust me in to do a job.”