INSTITUTE: Boss feels players deserve their chance

Institute boss Kevin Deery is expected to make a few changes for Saturday’s Craig Memorial Cup semi-final encounter against Wakehurst, at Drumahoe (KO 3pm).
Donegal Celtic defender Mark Shannon holds off Institute's Gareth Brown. INLS4315-141KMDonegal Celtic defender Mark Shannon holds off Institute's Gareth Brown. INLS4315-141KM
Donegal Celtic defender Mark Shannon holds off Institute's Gareth Brown. INLS4315-141KM

The likes of Jordan Armstrong, Mark Scoltock, Declan McKeever, Kevin Barr and Aaron Harkin will all be hoping to get some game time this weekend.

“People deserve a chance, yes it’s the semi-final of a local cup at the end of the day, but players deserve an opportunity,” he said.

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“I like to win and I will be looking to get to a final. It can only be good for the group if they get to the final and maybe win the first trophy, so that’s what I’ll be striving for this week.

“I go into every game, but especially a cup competitions, looking to reach cup finals and we have a chance to do that on Saturday, so that’s what I’ll be expecting my players to also want and a good Boxing Day final will certainly be the players motivation.”

Deery did admit that some players need to get their chance and he will be more that delighted if they take their opportunity and give him a selection headache for their forthcoming league game at Bangor.

“I have said it before and I’ll keep saying, but I feel there isn’t much difference between my players in the squad, anyone of the players could play and I think we saw that against Donegal Celtic last weekend,” he added.

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“The players that came on changed the game, Jordan Armstrong had a big part to play in our second goal and Aaron Harkin scored our third goal, so they had a good impact coming off the bench.

“Kevin Barr hasn’t really been getting much game time so he’ll come into the fold; he hasn’t missed sessions and he has worked really hard so I feel Saturday’s tie against Wakehurst is a game where he has to prove that he’s ready to challenge for a starting place.

“So yes I want the boys who play against Wakehurst to make an impression.”

One man who won’t be available this weekend is defender Dean Curry, who continues to struggle with a knee problem and isn’t likely to be back until next month, while midfielder Jamie McIntyre is also struggling with a knee problem.

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“I think we are going to target Dean for the middle of November, he had tendonitis in the knee, so it’s a matter of rest,” he said.

“Young Jamie McIntyre has tweaked his knee a wee bit, so we’ll have to wait and see how he is later in the week.”