Institute: Ex-Dundalk striker Mansaram to have trial

Former Sligo Rovers, Dundalk and Bohemians striker Darren Mansaram jetted in from England this week for a trial with Institute.
Former Dundalk striker Darren Mansaram is to play in a friendly at Maginn Park this evening. Picture by Lorraine O'SullivanFormer Dundalk striker Darren Mansaram is to play in a friendly at Maginn Park this evening. Picture by Lorraine O'Sullivan
Former Dundalk striker Darren Mansaram is to play in a friendly at Maginn Park this evening. Picture by Lorraine O'Sullivan

The Drumahoe club have arranged a friendly against an Inishowen League Select tonight, at Maginn Park (KO 7.30pm) to have a closer look at the big front man in action.

“We have been looking for an experienced striker for a while and we haven’t had any luck in the local front, so we are going to try out Darren Mansaram,” Kee said.

“Darren has experience in the League of Ireland in particular and through Sean Connor, who has managed Darren before, he has recommended him highly, saying that he thinks he’ll do well in the Irish League, so we are going to get him over for four or five days and get a look at him.

“So while we have brought Davitt (Walsh) in we still need another striker, in fairness Davitt hasn’t played in the last three or four months, so we need another front man.

Kee said that the 30-year-old striker is looking to get himself in the ‘shop window’ and will be using the Drumahoe club as a possible stepping stone.

“He’s playing with Armthorpe Welfare in the Northern Premier League in England and that league isn’t a bad standard,” he added.

“Saul (Deeney) has spoken to a couple of boys who he knows at Armthorpe, who are ex-Notts County and Derby County players and they spoke quite well about him, saying he’s a good lad and he plays well with his 
back to goal.

“We’ll know with the level of performance what he is like particularly in 
tonight’s game.

“He has been told that this match has been arranged for him, so hopefully he’ll be primed for that and hopefully he brings something different. Fingers crossed the weather doesn’t turn for the worst and the game goes ahead. But if it doesn’t then he’ll definitely train on Thursday night and we’ll see how he gets on.”