Johns named NIFWA Player of the Month for April

COLERAINE goalkeeper Chris Johns is the BetMcLean Player of the Month for April…

Johns kept two clean sheets in the month, helping the Bannsiders to a second-placed finish in the Premiership.

Now, Johns wants to lift the Irish Cup with Coleraine on Saturday. Oran Kearney’s men face Cliftonville at Windsor Park in a 2.30pm kick-off.

Johns said, “I’d like to thank both the Football Writers’ and their sponsors BetMcLean for this award. It’s a great honour.

“Obviously it was disappointing not to win the league, but we’ve already moved on from that and now our full focus is on the Irish Cup final.

“We are determined to win this trophy, particularly after losing to Linfield in last season’s final. Everybody is ready to go for the final. It’s a big occasion and we’re confident in our ability to win.”

Paul McLean of sponsors BetMcLean said, “Coleraine have been superb this season and Chris has kept a lot of clean sheets. He will certainly make life difficult for Cliftonville on Saturday.”

NIFWA Chairman Keith Bailie said, “Chris has proved himself to be one of the best goalkeepers in the Irish League this season, if not the best. He has been a major part of Coleraine’s success this season.”

Crusaders full-back Billy Joe Burns was runner-up with Dungannon Swifts striker Daniel Hughes in third.