Amateur League preview: Kilroot Rec

What a summer there has been at Kilroot, with the departure of Paul Hannan followed by the appointment of new management team Trevor Gault and Stephen McAteer, who duly resigned again after 27 days without signing a single player.

It was therefore left to Development Officer Terry Thomas to embark on a third stint in charge and, thankfully, numbers at training are finally on the up.

Club supremo Mervyn Smith said: “We’re back to the old days, back to the way Kilroot used to be, giving promising youngsters their chance. The difference now is that we’re at Intermediate Level, so it’s going to be that bit harder for them – and we also have less time, starting the season earlier than when we were in junior football!”

As for last year’s squad, most of them are at Barn United, while there’s three at Larne Olympic; leading goalscorer Andrew Dummigan at Shorts and Aaron Davies at Greenisland. Only John Grant remains from the team from last year.

New recruits include the return of former players such as the Hamilton brothers, Stuart and Simon; Paul O’Connor; Paul McIlwaine; Wesley Steele, Jordan Cooper and Wallace Nelson.

Opening fixtures: Saturday, Bryansburn Rangers (a); Thursday, Bangor Amateurs (h)

Players in: Jordan Cooper (Carrick Rangers Under-18s); Brian Matchett (Ballynure OB); Paul McIlwaine; Edward Armstrong; Chris Armstrong (2nd Carrick); Nathan Armstrong (Greenisland); Wallace Nelson (1st Carrick OB); Steven Smylie (Ballynure OB); John Smiley (1st Carrick OB); Chris Patton; Wesley Steele (1st Carrick OB); Mark Galloway; Stephen Playfair; Chris Rea; Neil Montgomery; Paul O’Connor (Red Star); Paul Baker (Red Star) John Glenn (PSNI) Stuart Hamilton; Simon Hamilton; Michael Deignan,

Players out: To Barn United - Aaron Anderson, D; Dean Haggan, G; Paul Thompson, M; Jim Thompson, M; David Gibb, M; Rob Armstrong, M; Jamie Stirling, D; Paul Garvey, S; Matt Bingham, M; To Larne Olympic - Paul Braiden, Defender; Jonny McFetridge, M; Chris Blayney, D; Andrew Dummigan, S, Shorts; Aaron Davies, M, Greenisland; Johnny Preuss, D, Rathfern Rangers; Chris Johnston, M/S, Rathfern Rangers; Paul Matthews, M; Thomas Ogilvie, S; Andy Mearns, S, Woodlands; Joel Lough, S; Ryan Clokey, M; Gordon Priestly, G; Karl Johnstone; Dean Johnstone.

Key player: Simon Hamilton

Last season: 7th in 1C, 40 points (26 games)

Prospects: At least things don’t look as gloomy as they did just a few short weeks ago. It’s going to be a matter of consolidation and avoiding bottom slot in 1c which would land Kilroot back into 2a and junior football - in the very season they’re set to make their first appearance on their new Intermediate pitch at Whitehead.