Keeper O'Hare joins the Bannsiders 500 Club

The big keeper has long been regarded as one of the Irish League's best custodians and a true Coleraine legend. That belief will be strengthened further tonight (Tuesday) as Davey takes his place between the sticks for the 500th time in a Coleraine shirt.

The Newry-born stopper has overtaken Victor Hunter in the all-time appearance list, and with only four men - Ivan Murray, Paul Gaston, Dessie Dickson and Johnny McCurdy - ahead of him now, just how high up the list does he think he'll get before he calls it a day?

"It was nice to be told I was the most capped goalkeeper and had passed the great that is Victor Hunter on the appearance list," Davey told Times Sport.

"To be honest I never really pay any attention to the number of appearances I've made, but I seem to have been in the late 400's for a long time!

"I will be delighted to make my 500th though, but I'm not going to look too far beyond that as I'm out of contract at the end of the season and who knows what the future may hold."

O'Hare arrived at The Showgrounds in 1991 from Newry Town, but he knew the area well having studied at the University of Ulster. And it wasn't too long before the fresh faced 19-year-old was called into action by then boss Iam McFaul.

"Brian McNulty suffered a head injury at Newry the week before so I got the nod for the game at Portadown," recalled Davey. "They were a good side then and Coleraine unfortunately were struggling so I remember having a busy day, It was one of many battles I had with Stevie Cowan.

"I remember the game well and enjoyed finally making my Irish League debut despite us losing 2-0 on the day."

O'Hare's talent between the sticks was there for all to see and he quickly established himself as first choice keeper. And at the start of the 1995-96 boss Kenny Shiels showed just how highly he regarded his keeper by handing him the captain's armband, much to Davey's surprise.

"It was a great honour and one I didn't expect," he admitted. "There were more experienced players in that team than me, such as Tony Gorman and eventually Pat McAllister, so I was surprised to be named as captain.

"We had a bad start to that season but eventually easily ran away with the league and won the Irish News Cup beating Derry City along the way. It was an excellent team and it was great we got back in to the top division in the style we did."

It was hard to believe that after the high of leading the club to promotion O'Hare would suffer one of his lowest points in the game the following season.

"The lowest moment in my career was during pre-season for the 96-97 season," he explained. "I had had a hernia operation and wasn't going to be fit for the start of the season. "We went to Dublin for a warm up game and when I got on the bus for the trip, Kenny Shiels, introduced me to his new signing...Wes Lamont!

"I didn't play much that season and as a result left the club to find first team football."

O'Hare had spells with Crusaders and Newry before joining up with the Bannsiders again in 2002 under boss Marty Quinn. He made his second debut in the 5-0 hammering of St Julia in the Inter-Toto Cup, but things would get even better that season as he helped the club win its first major honour in 26 years.

Davey said: "There have been many highlights during my time at the club, the 95-96 season, some great results in the Inter-Toto Cup and the club surviving it's financial problems. But I guess winning the Irish Cup has to be up there as the best day.

"It's hard to believe though that so soon after that special day the club nearly went out of business. As players we were concerned at the developments off the pitch as we were on the brink of closure, but I think most of us didn't really think it would happen. There always seemed to be hope or an avenue of escape, and fortunately we did."

During the hard times Davey always tried to keep spirits up around the club and he is well known amongst the playing staff as a joker.

Unfortunately the big man became the butt of the jokes earlier this season as his minor indiscretion at Shamrock Park was caught on camera and aired around the country on Soccer AM and Football Focus.

Davey though is used to getting a bit of stick, especially from opposing fans.

"I guess if you are going to mess up, its best to do it right and make a totally mess of it, which is what I did at Portadown," he laughed. "I think most people either saw it at the time or were directed to it sometime after, so its fair to say I got plenty of stick!

"But you have to be thick skinned when you're a keeper as being so close to the fans you hear everything, and sometimes it can be hard not to have a bit of banter back or enjoy it when we do well and keep them quiet!

"There have been a few hairy moments over the years, but that will hardly stop me."

So after nearly 20 years in the top flight and having played with and against some of the league's top players just who does Davey rate as the best?

"I have been fortunate to play for a long time in this league so there have been a lot of strikers with whom I have had tough battles with," he said. "Stevie Cowan was the first and a great finisher...others like Glenn Ferguson, Vinny Arkins, Michael Halliday and Chris Morgan though have made life difficult for me at different times over the years."

"There have been lots of great players at Coleraine, but as a goalkeeper I would look more at defenders," he added. "The best player I have played with would probably be Gareth McAuley or a young Paul Gaston."

And how do the current crop compare and how does Davey rate his latest boss, David Platt?

"Davy is ambitious, hard working and very diligent in everything he does in his job as manager," said Davey. "He has built a good young team and made excellent signings along the way in the last few seasons. I think he is doing an excellent job.

"We have a pretty young squad of players, Tommy, Jody and myself excluded, and they have shown to have an excellent work rate and ability. I think it may take time to get the belief and mental toughness but I think most people who have watched us play this season will agree that the football has been good

"We have to try and cement a top six place and then see what we can do from there. We have a cup final to look forward to and will be doing our best to progress in the Irish Cup. It's exciting times for the club again."

REPORT: Steven Crawford