O’Donnell hungry after return to action

COLERAINE skipper Stephen O’Donnell was thankful for everyone behind the scenes who helped him make his start of the season…

The defender completed 90 minutes against Dergview on Tuesday night as the captain nears a full returns to fitness.

O’Donnell admits he didn’t have much time to recover during the off season as he worked hard with rehabilitation work to get back onto the pitch.

The 30-year-old was thankful for those who helped make that happen from the club medical staff right through to the U20’s.

“It was all about getting the job done,” he told Coleraine TV after the 4-0 success.

“We knew there would be a shock somewhere in the Cup and we had to make sure that it wasn’t us.

“I thought we were good value for it, I thought the boys were excellent especially in the first 60 minutes, scored goals, moved the ball well and boys managed to get minutes in the legs.

“Therefore, it was a great night all round.

“First and foremost I’m delighted to be back.

“It’s been a tough summer for myself and it came off the back of playing injured for a long period last year and then getting injured in the last game of the season against Larne.

“My break wasn’t much of a break, it was all about rehab and trying to get ready, so getting a full 90 minutes has been a long time coming.

“A big thanks must go to Ciaran and the medical staff who have been working really hard with me behind the scenes.

“I’ve still got a wee way to go but I really enjoyed it and I must pay credit to Marty Smith in the U20’s who have been great with me to get minutes.

“It was great to be back out there running after people, kicking people, winning headers and stuff like that.”

The fixture marked the first time that the former Institute man played alongside Kieran Farren in the heart of the defence.

When asked what that experience was like, O’Donnell remarked that he has impressed by the quality possessed by the summer arrival.

“It’s been good playing alongside Kieran,” he confessed.

“Since he’s came in, he’s hit the ground running, he’s been brilliant and I’ve got nothing but praise for him.

“He’s been like a sponge as he takes information on board and he’s learning all the time.

“To be fair, he doesn’t look out of place as centre-half is a wee bit new to him but he has been brilliant.

“It’s great to play alongside him, it’s nice that he’s comfortable on the ball and he and Mullan have done really well together so far.

“We’re sitting in a good place, we have good centre halves at the club including Rodney Brown, so whoever plays we will be strong.”

With six changes made to the starting line-up on Tuesday night, O’Donnell acknowledged a few players might have given the manager a headache ahead of tomorrow’s visit to The Oval.

“Nights like these are great for boys who need minutes and want to play and hungry to prove a point,” O’Donnell concluded.

“We now look forward to playing Glentoran who are absolutely flying.

“But we are in a good place ourselves, we have had a bit of a break between league games, so we are hungry and raring to go.”