EXTRA-TIME with Ciaran Donaghy

Another weekend without football on the pitch but at least there was some progress made off it, with the installation of the new changing rooms at Taylor’s Avenue.

The players, and I’m sure the supporters as well, are very much looking forward to a long overdue return to our home ground and now that the changing rooms are in place. Hopefully it will only be a few more weeks before they’re operational and we’re back home, just in time for the title charge!

It’s been a difficult season for all involved at the club, and having played just two home games in the league, it’s good that we’re still in with a shout of the title.

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At the weekend we lost top spot to Institute, who moved a point ahead of us after their victory over our next opponents, Ballyclare. Institute have now played the same amount of games as ourselves and as we still have to play them, as well as two games against other potential title challengers Knockbreda. I feel that the destiny of Championship 1 is still in our own hands. Winning our final five games will hopefully be enough to secure automatic promotion.

The first of those games this weekend is, as mentioned, against our local rivals Ballyclare Comrades. Local derbies are always fiercely contested and this one is no different. Following our Irish Cup exit there back in February, we know it won’t be easy to get the win but if we are to get the three points we’ll need a similar performance from the Bangor game in our last outing.

I am still carrying a bit of a calf muscle injury and it will be touch and go if I’ll make this weekend’s game. I have been using Cryo-Baths in the last week to try to speed up the healing process and I am beginning to feel the benefit. But any injuries at this time of the year, with less than a month of the campaign to go, need to be carefully managed or it may mean missing the rest of the season. And when gunning for league titles, every player wants to be involved!

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