New keeper vital says Quinn

The move comes after the club’s current first choice stopper Andy Plummer made a series of errors in pre-season with both of Ballyclare’s goals on Saturday coming as a direct result of the goalkeeper’s mistakes.

Quinn is thus now searching high and low for a new number one ahead of the Carling Premiership kick-off in just nine days time when the Blues travel to face Coleraine.

Former number one Tuda Murphy was released earlier in the summer, leaving the 20 year-old Plummer as the only senior goalkeeper at the club. However after his less than impressive pre-season form, a senior goalkeeper has shot to the top of Quinn’s wanted list.

“My priority between now and August 7 is to get someone in between the sticks to keep a clean sheet. That’s taken on huge importance over the last few days,” Quinn told the ‘MAIL.’

“The two goalkeeping mistakes on Saturday were absolutely horrendous once again. I’ve lost confidence in Andrew and I think the defenders have too. The position has to be addressed. There’ll be certain people gloating and smiling and having a laugh about it but that’ll not stop me working to try and get somebody in.

“The two goals on Saturday were unforgivable. The first one was a simple cross into the box and the second one was from 25 or 30 yards into the near post corner. It wasn’t nearly good enough.

“Andrew has to start all over again and get a few Reserve games to regain his confidence.”

Northern Ireland U23 international Sean O’Neill had been on trial at Mourneview Park after his release from Ballymena but has since joined Dungannon Swifts with the promise of the number one shirt; something that Quinn now wishes he had offered O’Neill.

He said: “I had opportunities to sign a couple of goalkeepers but I said they would be coming in as our number two and they didn’t want to take up that challenge. They wanted to be guaranteed a first-team shirt which I wasn’t prepared to give but in hindsight I probably should have awarded that to them.

“I hold my hands up and I’ll admit that I was too loyal but it’s always served me well in the past. Andrew’s just going through a confidence crisis and I spoke to him and his family this weekend. I just can’t see him being between the sticks on the August 7 against Coleraine because I’m leaving my own credibility and my staff up for major criticism.

“Lo and behold, a couple of keepers have just signed for clubs in the League of Ireland in the last couple of days and I’ve just missed the boat on them. Again I was loyal to Andrew.”

Trialist goalkeeper Lee Windrum is set to play in the club’s pre-season friendly at Banbridge whilst Quinn is still keeping an intent interest in the progress of former Wolves star, Daniel Wright, who is beginning to get more involved in the sport again:

“I think Daniel’s going to take a chance and see how it goes. He’ll get himself back up and running again and I’ll be keeping tabs on it, I’ve told Daniel that.”