INSTITUTE: Roddy glad to be back after injury nightmare

Defender Sean Roddy played his first competitive game of the season.

The ex-Finn Harps man suffered a cruciate ligament injury in a pre-season friendly against Newbuildings United in 2013 and after a few set-backs and 60 minutes in the final game of last season at Coleraine, he finally came off the bench against the Limavady men.

“I was delighted to finally get back playing but I know myself I was miles off it,” he said.

“I felt I did alright but I need to get my match fitness up and I would like to get that sooner rather than later.

“We a have a cup final in a few week’s times, so hopefully we can build a bit of momentum going into the new year and start getting some points and moving up the league table.”

The 30-year-old did concede that he could have left in the summer, but he always wanted to remain at the Riverside Stadium.

“There was a few clubs who were onto me but there was only one place I wanted to go to and that was Stute.

“I have been at Stute for the last four years and I really enjoy it, so I spoke to Kevin (Deery) at the start of the season and I told him that if he wanted me, I wanted to stay and help get us to try and back into Premier Division.

“I have just kept my head down and training hard waiting for my chance in the team, but now that I have got some action I just want to try and get a more regular place from the start.”

Boss Kevin Deery was over the moon to see the experienced defender back in action.

“Things didn’t go really smooth for him, but he has knuckled down and I’m a genuine fella, I told him to come out and give it a go,” said the Stute gaffer.

“He has come in with the right attitude this time, he has come with a desire and wants to have an impact and an influence in the team.

“He’s an experienced player and we don’t have a lot of them, so he did well against Newtowne, but he needs to get a wee bit fitter and that will come with more game time under his belt.”