Danske Bank Irish Premiership: Glentoran v Coleraine (today, The Oval, 3pm)
COLERAINE defender Aaron Traynor believes the Bannsiders can win the league championship – and feels they might well have clinched the Gibson Cup last season had Oran Kearney not left for St Mirren.
When Kearney left to pursue a full-time career in the Scottish Premiership, Coleraine were top of the league in the early exchanges of the 2018/19 campaign.
The previous season, Kearney had led the north west club to an Irish Cup win and pushed eventual league champions Crusaders all the way.
Many had tipped Coleraine to go a step further the following season but the wheels came off when Kearney departed. Now, with the former Linfield midfielder back at the helm, Traynor is convinced Coleraine can win the title this season or next.
They may still be sitting in fourth but are still only four points off leaders Linfield.
“I think when Oran left very rarely a manager goes on to bigger and better things; it’s usually the other way round in that he’s not doing the job,” said Traynor.
“We were going well, we had momentum off the back of the year before, and Oran started the next campaign with us. A lot of people forget that.
“When he left we were top of the league and had just beaten Crusaders, but then the plug was pulled out of the wall.”
Rodney McAree replaced Kearney at Ballycastle Road in what was always going to be an uphill struggle for him to continue the team’s incredible form.
“If you look back at the last five or 10 years if you finish in the top three, the following year it’s usually a team in the top three that goes on and wins the league. It’s all about momentum,” says the 29-year-old left back.
“We were in an ideal position. Now, last year we finished sixth so we’re not really at the momentum stage. But we’re slowing building.
“I’m very optimistic. I don’t play for the sake of playing, I play to win. I think a lot of the boys are like that in our team. We’ve got a couple of medals, we’ve people who have been there and done it... Slowly but surely we’re building a winning changing room. If you look at the table, we’re four points off the top. If you say you’re not league challengers or candidates, then there’s something wrong with you. So, yes, I believe we can win the league.
“If not this year, next year we can have a real go at it. But the money-makers are coming into play now, so I don’t know. They might make us take another step back.”
Traynor started out on his Irish League career with Linfield U16s and went on to play for Lisburn Distillery, Portadown, Carrick Rangers and Warrenpoint Town before starring for Coleraine over the last couple of seasons.
In a Premiership career that spans close to a decade, Traynor feels the current standard of the Ieague has never been higher.
“We play Glentoran on Saturday but even if we win you’re looking at three or four other results which tells you the league is getting better. The talent is there and so is the money.”
A keen Gaelic footballer, Traynor tried his luck with Antrim seniors during Liam ‘Baker’ Bradley’s second spell in charge – but after a missed penalty in a challenge game the St Paul’s man decided to resume his Irish League career.
“I remember playing a few friendlies for Antrim and I dinked a penalty against Queen’s and missed it. I remember ‘Baker’ said to me: ‘What are you doing dinking penalties?’ I said: ‘Why not? I’ve dinked them before and scored.’
“For a spell I’d fallen out of love with football and decided to give Gaelic a go, but Ronnie McFall got onto me about playing for Portadown so I went there.”
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Danske Bank Irish Premiership
Ballymena United v Carrick Rangers
YOU wouldn't have bet money on Carrick being ahead of Ballymena in the table come February. The erratic Braidmen have it in their gift to change that this afternoon, buoyed by last week's Irish Cup win.
Odds: H:11/10 D:13/5 A:9/5
Prediction: Ballymena United
Cliftonville v Dungannon Swifts
A DRESS rehearsal for their Irish Cup quarter-final, the Reds appear to have overcome a tricky spell with a morale-boosting win over Carrick Rangers in mid-week, courtesy of a Conor McMenamin hat-trick. The Swifts have become harder to beat in recent weeks but they’ll do well to leave Solitude with anything.
Odds: H:3/10 D:4/1 A:6/1
Prediction: Cliftonville
Glenavon v Crusaders
THE Crues have stuttered a few times this season but they’re firing on all cylinders now and haven't concede a goal in the league in 2020. There have been few shafts of light for Glenavon and with no cup run this year the Mourneview club are still doing well to be holding onto seventh spot.
Odds: H: 7/2 D:3/1 A:8/15
Prediction: Crusaders
Glentoran v Coleraine
THE Glens looked ordinary in their 3-2 win over Queen’s last weekend in the Irish Cup. They continue to bolster their squad, though, but if Coleraine can nullify last week’s hat-trick hero and Linfield target Robbie McDaid they can leave the Oval with the points.
Odds: H:11/10 D:5/2 A:9/5
Prediction:Coleraine
Institute v Larne
LARNE are now getting results their performances deserve with a couple of big wins over Glentoran and Linfield of late. Despite Sean Connor’s best efforts, rock-bottom Institute look out of their depth in what is one of the most competitive Premierships in living memory.
Odds: H:5/1 D:4/1 A:1/3
Prediction: Larne
Warrenpoint Town v Linfield
WARRENPOINT have probably been consumed with events off the pitch but nothing like a visit of Linfield to focus minds. Barry Gray’s men will be up for the battle, but Linfield losing to Queen’s in the Irish Cup a few weeks ago means they’ll not slip up at places like Milltown.
Odds: H:13/1 D:8/1 A:1/12
Prediction: Linfield
