TOON SET TO RUCK!

Last season was a remarkable one for the local side.

They lifted the Towns' Cup following an epic victory in the final at Ravenhill - the home of Ulster rugby - and were later named the province's Club of the Year.

Taggart has lost influential players Martin Irwin - who joined Ballymena - and Keith Thompson who was instrumental in the team's success last season. And the coach says he doesn't intend pulling the boots on this campaign unless of an injury crisis.

Exciting new faces have been drafted into the side for the forthcoming campaign as well as a new captain - Scott Nelson - who takes over the armband from James Cleland.

Among the recruits at Kilraughts Road are South African Chester Mbekela and Australian Ethan Reed.

Both are exceptionally talented and Taggart is confident they will slot straight into the Toon side from the off.

"They are great assets to the club," he said.

"As is Sam Bartlett who has joined from Coleraine.

"We have a young side but they have another season under their belts which bodes well.

"I'm expecting big things this year but it is a case of taking it one game at a time."

A number of talented young players have also made the step up to the first team squad including Stuart Nevin and Cormac McCartney.

"Pre-season has went very well up until now," said Taggart.

"We played Grosvenor last week and there were a few bad habits creeping in but we have been working hard on those in the past week and we are ready for Portadown this weekend.

"I would still say Portadown are favourites in the match and for a first game you couldn't ask for a harder task.

"But hopefully we can get them when they are perhaps rusty and maybe not as well organised just yet.

"We're going there confident and we've nothing to lose. We'll be giving it a good rattle."

The club's success last season saw them flung into the spotlight.

Opposition teams will certainly not underestimate the threat posed by Taggart's men, as they may - to their detriment - have been guilty of previously.

"We're not an unknown side now," said Taggart.

"Teams will be looking at us and know what qualities we have.

"For example the last time we played Portadown they said we were the only side that had taken the game to them and they will remember that."

While the Towns' Cup win was one of the greatest moments in the club's history, Taggart says the priority this season is a top four finish in the league, followed by runs in the cup competitions.

"The top priority is a top four finish, to do well in the cups is a bonus," he said.

"For Ballymoney to be in the top four of this league is something else."