Football: Kincaid up against ex-player

The Fifth Round Irish Cup game between Lisburn Distillery and PSNI at New Grosvenor. Distillery manager Tommy Kincaid. Picture: Cliff Donaldson

The Whites visit in-form Larne, managed by ex-defender Davey McAlinden, looking to stretch their five game unbeaten run in Championship One (kick-off 3pm).

McAlinden, who celebrates a year in the Inver Park hot-seat this weekend, played for Kincaid at Glenavon, helping the club to promotion in 2005.

Now the duo will go head-to-head with Kincaid looking to win the battle for the first time after McAlinden’s Larne twice beat Distillery last season.

“I really like Davey but on Saturday, I’ll be going out to get one over on him,” said the Whites’ boss.

“Davey was a very professional guy as a player and he will have his players going out in the same frame of mind.

“He’s turning out to be a good manager. I have a lot of respect for Davey. I’ve known him for a long time and it’s really great to see him taking to the managerial side of the game because I think that he has the right temperament for the job.”

Distillery go into Saturday’s game off the back of a fruitful run which has brought 11 points from their last five matches.

They’re just four points behind third placed Larne going into this weekend’s game although McAlinden’s side will be looking to get back to winning ways after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Ards last Saturday.

Distillery had no game last weekend as their scheduled home fixture with Harland and Wolff Welders was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

“Things are going really well at the minute and to have the game called off last week was very disappointing because we’re on such a good run,” said Kincaid.

“Another win would be great. As always, our aim going out onto the pitch will be to get a wi n but Larne are doing well and coming away from there with a point wouldn’t be the worst result in the world.”

Kincaid will also be returning to one of his former clubs, where the Whites boss had two stints in charge, most botably leading Larne to promotion to the Premier Division back in 2003. “I always look forward to going back to Larne,” he said.

“I really loved my first stint at the club in particular.

“My goalkeeper at the time, Andy McDonald, says it was my biggest mistake leaving at that time because we were really getting onto something good at the time but these are the decisions you make.”