Cullen ‘honoured’ to captain Carrick

Their Qualifying 2 curtain-raiser away to the Bannsiders is the first of three matches on the road and a win would be the perfect start to what’s a tricky opening few weeks of the campaign.

“We started very quietly last season but after Christmas we got our act together and proved how we can play in league and we finished strongly,” admitted Cullen (right). “We are hoping to build on that this year and we know we can do well and be up around the top three teams challenging for the league.

“It’s a very tough league and there are a lot of teams who are challenging for the top spot.

“The likes of Omagh and Academy are great sides and they’ll be up there fighting for the title too.

“A win against Coleraine would be the best start for our confidence but it will not be an easy challenge; they will be out to bounce straight back to Qualifying 1.”

On his appointment as skipper, the former Ballynahinch player added: “I’m honoured to be captain, especially because it’s the club’s 150th anniversary year.”