Second homecoming for McDaid

DAVID McDaid insists he feels like he’s never been away as he gets ready for his second debut in Coleraine colours…

The striker joined the club for a second time in the summer after previously playing for the Stripes in a six month spell back in 2014.

That stint would yield seven goals in 21 games under Oran Kearney’s guidance and he will hope to add to both tallies nine years on.

“It’s been a good transition back to the club,” the 32-year-old said.

“It feels like I’ve never been away with Oran as manager and Colin McKendry as chairman, with the players also being brilliant.

“Then you also have the lads who I was with at Larne such as Dean Jarvis, Graham Kelly, Andy Scott, Conor McKendry and Lee Lynch, so that has also made things easier.

“I’m delighted to be back here and I’m buzzing for the season to start.”

Coleraine start the season with a visit of derby rivals Ballymena United this evening – the club which McDaid left to return to the Ballycastle Road.

McDaid believes that will certainly add some spice to the occasion for himself personally and remarked on how impressed he has been by the ‘standard’ produced by his team-mates during pre-season training.

“Playing against my former club certainly adds to it but it’s still a derby and a Friday night game which will give everyone an extra buzz,” he added.

“Getting the deal done early in the summer was great so I could get as much training as possible and bonding with my new team-mates.

“The standard has surprised me with how good it is.

“In the striking department you have Andy Mitchell who is coming back to full fitness and getting better, everyone knows Michael McCrudden is a good player, Lee Harkin has just been signed and Matthew Shevlin scored a lot of goals last year and we hope to share that burden.”