No fixtures but full focus as Portadown prepare for top-flight return

The countdown towards next month’s provisional Irish League season start date holds increased significance within the Shamrock Park club as Portadown prepare for top-flight football for the first time since 2017.

With promotion secured last season under Tipton, the four-time Irish League champions have added incentive for the forthcoming campaign - despite any uncertainty relating to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The players have been working really hard since we got back together as a group, on top of the fitness work put in during lockdown and around the recent break from team training,” said Tipton. “We had an inter-squad game at Shamrock Park then last weekend’s match at Derriaghy, with our next fixture on Saturday at Comber Rec then other games scheduled against Ards, Bangor, Dundela, Queen’s and Annagh United.

“We may not have confirmed fixtures for the start of the season but that has not had any negative impact on the work put in by everyone.

“Our training programme is in place and everything organised and you can see the boys are enjoying getting back into it all.

“In one aspect, the break helped some players prepare for the season by allowing extra time to do prehab work.

“Now the work we do together is completely centred on team shape and tactics.

“It has helped that most of the signings have a connection with the club or some idea of how we work, plus the bulk of the squad remains from last season so that allows us to basically recap rather than build from scratch for everyone.”

Tipton has confirmed a departure by Aaron Duke to Dollingstown, with Martin Bradley and Liam McKenna in talks following a decision to make the trio available to other clubs. Callum Ferris will be sent out on loan.

Lee Bonis and Nathan Kerr will return to club duty bolstered by time away with Northern Ireland under 21s - with the latter completing both EURO 2021 qualifying games against Malta and Denmark.

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