Stute pose a major threat, warns Traynor

COLERAINE defender Aaron Traynor is expecting Institute to come out all guns blazing when the sides meet in the sixth round of the Tennent’s Irish Cup.

Stute currently top the Bluefin Sport Championship by nine points and Traynor insists his team-mates know they will be in for a battle at The Showgrounds.

“We are fully aware of the threat Institute have,” Traynor said. “They are flying in the Championship and have plenty of confidence and momentum, so we know they will be up for it. However, we have been in good form recently so it all adds up to be an exciting match.”

The full-back played against Institute on four occasions with Warrenpoint Town last season and is full of praise for Paddy McLaughlin’s men.

“Last year at Warrenpoint, we played them four times and each match was a battle,” Traynor said. “They were well organised and played some neat football.

“We will do our homework on Institute and I’m sure the fans will be looking forward to a derby game at a packed Showgrounds.”

The Bannsiders were beaten finalists in last year’s competition against Linfield, and Traynor and his team-mates would love to put that right this time around.

“Last year was a great run and something that I would have loved to have been a part of,” Traynor continued. “I’m hoping we can get to the final again this year but go that one step further. I heard the atmosphere was unbelievable at Windsor that day and that would be great to experience.

“There has been some cracking fixtures pulled out but we will be focusing solely on Institute.”

Oran Kearney’s side missed the chance to go top of the Danske Bank Premiership on Tuesday as they let a two-goal lead slip to Linfield. However, former Carrick Rangers man Traynor remains confident the Bannsiders will overcome that disappointment.

“Anyone at the game could see we were undone by a freak goal,” he said. “We were brilliant for 87 minutes, looked solid at the back and a threat going forward. Overall we put so much effort into the game that it was an injustice not to walk away with three points.

“We were disappointed but we know there are a lot of games to go so won’t dwell on it. We will dust ourselves down and motor on.”

Coleraine added Aaron Burns late in the January transfer window and Traynor is looking forward to seeing the former Linfield man in action.

“It’s a great signing and I think everyone in the league has taken notice of it,” Traynor stated. “His goalscoring record speaks for itself and he has been one of the best attackers in the league in recent years, so it’s a major signing.

“Burnsy and also the signing of Stephen Dooley has been great business and having both players will only kick us on further.” Experience: Aaron Traynor knows Institute mean business