McCauley glad to be back at Drumahoe

MIDFIELDER Darren McCauley was a little disappointed that Institute could only manage to get a point at Carrick Rangers, on Saturday.

The Waterside man, also knows that at times particularly in the second half, he and his team-mates had to defend for long periods.

Carrick like ourselves will be looking to gain promotion this season,” he conceded.

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“Obviously having come down from the Premiership last season they’ll want to go straight back up, but there was no fear factor in us going into the game because of the football that we play.”

The ex-Derry City man, who was released by Coleraine this summer, returned to the Riverside Stadium after a successful loan spell last season, feels the additions that Paul Kee has made can ensure promotion this campaign.

“I think the players that we have brought in are of good quality and we retained most of the squad from last year, which is a good thing,” insisted McCauley.

“Last year we started to really find our form towards the end of the season and it was good to finish third, but I feel we can push on further this season.

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“I think with us finishing third last year, there might be a wee bit more pressure on us to gain promotion, but that’s obviously the aim and we are more than capable of doing that.”

On quite a few occasions last season the Drumahoe side played some neat football and dominated games but failed to secure the victory, however on to many occasions whenever they had to roll their sleeves up they were at times found somewhat wanting.

People know now that we can play good football so they’ll be more aware of us,” he added.

“But if we can get the right balance in the team, from between playing football and mixing it whenever we need to, then I think we’ll be there or there about’s.

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“I think last year will put us in good stead, we know now what we are good at and we know where we can improve on.”

McCauley, who in recent years has had a number of clubs, is now hopeful he can settle down and concentrate just on his football.

“Because of work commitments things didn’t work out at Coleraine and coming back to ’Stute was handy for me,” he conceded .

“But just because it was handy at ’Stute it wasn’t the main reason, the main reason was because of the style of football, which Paul Kee and all the coaching staff want us to play.

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“It’s a style of football, which I like and it’s a style which is hard to come across and I feel if you can take that style into the Irish League then it gives you a good platform to get noticed and appreciated by supporters.”