'If Loughgall do their job then we'll have to do ours' - McLaughlin

DEFENDER Paddy McLaughlin believes if Loughgall give Institute a second chance of keeping their Premiership status, then they better be ready for it.

The Villagers only need to win two of their remaining three games in the Championship and 'Stute will be facing Donegal Celtic in a promotion/relegation play-off.

"Loughgall won last Saturday and they only need to win two matches, so if they do their job then we'll have to do ours," declared McLaughlin.

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"As far as we are concerned we have two matches still to play and until someone tells us otherwise it will be training on Thursday night as usual."

The former Newry City man remains confident that, if he and his team-mates are fortunate enough to get a reprieve then they'll be up for the challenge.

"We have nothing to lose now if we do get a play-off, as far as we are concerned we are relegated now, so if we do get a second chance then we just have to grab it and I know everyone in the dressing room will be up for it."

The Waterside men drew their final match of the season at home to Newry City last weekend and although a lot of people felt their encounter was a 'nothing game', McLaughlin didn't agree.

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"In my opinion it wasn't a nothing match, because if we are going to be in a play-off against Donegal Celtic then we needed to get a bit of momentum going.

"We also had a lot of young boys making their debuts and I felt they all done very well.

"Gareth (McFadden) in the middle of the field done brilliant and Matty Smith done really well down the right and Graham (Crown) has been in quite a few times this season and is a regular now, so the future certainly looks brilliant, because there are a lot of young boys coming through.

"We had four or five on Saturday against Newry and I know there are some others pushing to get involved."

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The experienced defender has, like fellow centre-back David Ogilby started to get amongst the goals and his strike against his old club at the weekend was his second goal in as many games.

"I'm starting to score at a good time with the season ending," joked McLaughlin.

"I don't know about that but maybe if needs be in the play-off I'll definitely go up front."