Ards can make alatesurgeto clinch play-off place: McAllister
EAMON McAllister is still holding out hope that Ards can make it into the Championship playoff place.
To have any chance of that they will need playmaker McAllister to continue the excellent form that helped him win the Northern Ireland Football Writers’ Association Championship Player of the Month award for February.
The ex-Crusaders ace (below) scored four times last month as Ards won four games and drew with leaders Portadown.
Ards, under John Bailie, have moved into fourth place.
They won’t catch the Ports, who are 14 points clear and favourites for automatic promotion, but they are refusing to rule out runners-up spot which would earn them a play-off versus the second bottom side in the Premiership.
Fresh from beating H&W Welders 2-1 on Wednesday night, Ballinamallard are in second with 57 points with third placed Loughgall on 56. Ards are next on 49.
“We still have an outside chance of the play-offs,” said McAllister.
“We are aiming to have a big finish to the campaign and if we don’t make it this season we will be going all out to win automatic promotion next time.”
Ards travel to take on the Welders tomorrow.
“It will be a tough game because Gary Smyth has gone into the Welders again as manager and they have become hard to beat,” added McAllister.
For the 32-year-old, the Player of the Month prize is the first in a career that has seen him play with Donegal Celtic, Ballymena United, Bangor and Carrick Rangers.
Now in his third spell with Ards, McAllister added: “I’ve been playing in the Irish League for a long time and this is the first time I have won a Writers’ award.”
After a shock home defeat to Ballyclare Comrades in their last game, Matthew Tipton’s Portadown will aim to hit back tomorrow at PSNI, who need points in their relegation battle.
Ballinamallard and Loughgall will hope for another slip-up from the Ports. Harry McConkey’s side host Dundela while Loughgall face a tricky trip to Newry City.
At the bottom, Dergview secured a vital home victory over Queen’s in midweek. If they repeat the feat against the same team tomorrow it will be another boost in their quest to avoid the drop.
Bottom team Knockbreda, who are one point behind PSNI and four adrift of Dergview, are at home to unpredictable Ballyclare. Tomorrow’s fixtures (3pm): Ballinamallard v Dundela, Dergview v Queen’s, H&W Welders v Ards, Knockbreda v Ballyclare, Newry City v Loughgall, PSNI v Portadown.
Q How did your passion for football develop?
A
I started off at Newhill in west Belfast up until I was about 15 and then joined Lisburn Youth and Grosvenor before returning to Newhill. I spent some time with Crusaders Under-18s before moving to Cliftonville and things took off from then. I had a few games for the reserves and then got a first-team call-up.
Q What were Cliftonville like around that time?
A
The Reds were a good side. George McMullan, Fra Murphy, Ciaran Donaghy, Barry Johnston, Ryan Catney, Declan O’Hara and the Scannell brothers Chris and Ronan were there, some fantastic players and a few legends as well. It was a brilliant changing room to walk into but in the early days I was young and shy. Myself and Liam Boyce came up from the reserves together so that made it a bit easier and helped us settle.
Q I suppose you aren’t surprised to see how Liam’s career has progressed?
A
I’m not surprised, I always knew Liam was a special player. He’s a class act and I’m delighted for him. He’s had setbacks and injuries but he’s shown great determination and desire. Liam is the best player I have played with.
Q So how did you progress at Cliftonville?
A
I worked hard but had to be patient. I wasn’t thrown into the first team straight away. Eddie Patterson was manager and when he called on me I managed to do a job and keep my place.
Q What was the best moment of your career?
A
The Irish Cup win with Glentoran in 2013 was the highlight, that was a good weekend, running around east Belfast full of Cup cheer! I had left Cliftonville that summer and they suddenly found themselves going for a treble. We managed to stop them and it was nice to get silverware. Jim O’Hanlon came on for me in the second half and made a brilliant impact. I think we had more energy as the game went on.
Q Was it hard for you to leave Cliftonville?
A
It was, because I had been there from 2008 to 2013 — five years. In my final year under Tommy Breslin I didn’t play much so when Eddie got the Glens job he encouraged me to go to The Oval. It was hard to watch the Reds win the league and League Cup but thankfully I was able to get my hands on the Irish Cup. Playing against my old club, it made the victory a little bit sweeter. You get a little banter from fans but I’m fortunate in that supporters have been great with me and they haven’t given me much stick.
Q A number of Glentoran players moved on after
Date of birth: Place of birth: Previous clubs:
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the Cup final win, what happened to you?
A
I had picked up too many yellow and red cards and the club thought I would benefit from a new challenge. I went on loan to Ards and then left the Glens.
Q What was your worst moment on the pitch?
A
I relished the physical side of the game but picked up a few bans. I got an eight-game suspension following a headbutt on Michael Gault during a Boxing Day game. I think Gaulty has got me sent off a few times! All is forgiven and we are friends now. They are passionate games and of course you regret these things but I’ve mellowed out now I’m older. I was probably a marked man with players out to get me and referees knew my record. Another time I was dropped for a County Antrim Shield final while at Cliftonville at The Oval and I was gutted.
Q How did you get the move to Belfast Celtic?
A
Last year I was playing for St James’ Swifts and I was thinking of not playing again but Stephen (McAlorum) rang me and asked me to join the team. It was a no brainer as he’s a good friend and former team-mate. We hadn’t been together in football since the Irish Cup victory so it was always going to be a nice reunion. We’ve always had a great friendship and he was groomsman at my wedding.
Q The name change from Sport and Leisure to Belfast Celtic was controversial, what did you make of that?
A
The name was changed before Maccers got the job. I don’t understand the reason behind the change but I like it, it’s something fresh and different. We are doing well this season but the management team of Stephen and Paddy Kelly will attract more players and we can strengthen the team. I’ve really enjoyed my football and I haven’t been able to say that for four years. I’m proud to be Belfast Celtic captain and I don’t want to let the boys down. Emmett Templeton, who used to play for Cliftonville, Gary Warwick, Darren Stuart and Brendan Shannon are with us. It’s a very different team than Sport and Leisure.
Q Is there anything you would have done differently in your career?
A
My disciplinary record has got better as I’ve got older but