Defender Munster seeks to extend United stay

David Munster, who made an impressive return to the Ballymena United line-up against Glentoran, hopes to earn a new contract at the Showgrounds. Picture: Press Eye.

The veteran defender, at 34, the oldest player in United’s first team squad, believes he can extend his Irish League career further.

Munster’s arrival under Roy Walker’s tenure wasn’t greeted with the same enthusiasm by United followers as several other signings but he has proved himself to be a hugely dependable, whole-hearted player in the centre of United’s defence.

So much so, in fact, that since Glenn Ferguson succeeded Walker, only goalkeeper Dwyane Nelson has been named in Ferguson’s starting line-up more times than Munster.

“I think I have at least another year left in me and hopefully I can prove myself to Glenn and the coaches between now and the end of the season and get another contract,” Munster told Times Sport.

“I’ve played a lot of games this season but I had felt alright up until the Linfield game where we had played Dungannon on a bad pitch during that week.

“I was on the bench against Coleraine and then I had a two-match ban which more or less helped me because it gave me a couple of weeks off and a chance to give my legs a rest.”

Munster returned to Ballymena’s side against Glentoran on Saturday and produced a typical no-nonsense display on a gluepot of a pitch to help the Sky Blues earn their first clean sheet since the end of January.

“I thought after all our hard work we deserved a point – it was a good clean sheet for us.

“Last week’s draw against DC felt like a defeat after we were 2-0 up but this week was a good hard-fought nil-nil draw on a pitch which was terrible.

“We had worked on a new formation during the week which was new to a lot of the players so it took us 15 or 20 minutes to get used to it.

“In the second half, after Cush got sent off, it was backs against the wall and the boys defended well. We just had to dig in and try to hit Glentoran on the break.

“Dwayne took a bad knock on his knee but he more or less had to stay on – there was no other option! He did really well and made one or two good saves.

“I’m pleased to be back in the team. That was the first game I’ve played in four weeks. I was suspended for two weeks and then played a reserve game.

“Shaun Maher had missed a couple of games through injury and that was the first time we’ve played together and I thought the back four played well.

“It was a good time for us to get a clean sheet – it’s the first one we’ve had for a while.”

While it is now mathematically certain that United will conclude the season n the bottom six of the Danske Bank Premiership, Munster has assured supporters of the players’ commitment.

“It shouldn’t be hard for the players to motivate ourselves.

“There are a lot of boys – myself included – coming out of contract so if anyone thinks they’re going to get it easy between now and the end of the season, I’m sure Glenn and the rest of the coaching staff will have something to say about it,” added Munster.