BILLY TACKLES... CHRIS HEGARTY
I am nothing if not a sporting chap. After the misery of losing my last outing to Glenavon striker Andrew Mitchell, I sought out someone who had suffered a similar fate at the weekend, Dungannon Swifts’ defender Chris Hegarty. His hopes of Irish Cup glory may have gone, and there may be a League Cup final to come, but an immediate chance of bouncebackability is provided in this week’s predictions.
The usual rules apply, Chris is not allowed to comment on his side’s game with Linfield and there are three points for an exact prediction and one for the correct outcome. And because of the madness around the BetMcLean League Cup saga, there are only three Danske Bank Premiership games this week. I was tempted to include the Ballymena United v Cliftonville game but I’m not sure it’s appropriate to award points for predicting a postponement.
Coleraine v Glenavon
Saturday (3.00pm)
Glenavon need Andy Doyle back because he has been very good for them this year but they are also really good going forward. Coleraine are in great form and you have to fancy them, but Glenavon always score. Coleraine’s back four has been very good and I think Stephen O’Donnell (below) is a very good centre-half and with wee Lyndon Kane back — from what I’ve seen of the highlights he has been flying — and then there’s the legs they have in the middle of the park. Oran Kearney has them well organised, well drilled and the way they are going about things is very professional and I can’t see their run being stopped.
Hegarty prediction:
Weir prediction: 2-3
2-1
Crusaders v Glentoran
Saturday (3.00pm)
Crusaders had two very tough to take results and I think they’ll come out flying. They have a lot on their plate but, having gone out of two cups, they can now really focus on the league and try to get things running again. Playing a semi-final on the Tuesday and the Irish Cup on Saturday was not easy because they were two big games.
Hegarty prediction: 3-0
Weir prediction: 2-2
Ards v Carrick Rangers
Saturday (3.00pm) Colin Nixon has brought in some good players and they are well organised as well and I know they’ll want to win and try to get as close to us as possible but Carrick will want to win it. If it had been at Carrick, you would fancy them because of the pitch but I think if Ards are missing three big players they will be happy with a draw.
Hegarty prediction: 1-1
Weir prediction: 2-1
Season’s standings:
Weir 6
Players 12