Lowry’s expertise is Bannsiders’ secret weapon: O’donnell
COLERAINE skipper Stephen O’donnell reckons his teammate Stephen Lowry could be the man to unlock San Marino side La Fiorita in tonight’s Europa League preliminary round clash at the Ballycastle Road Showgrounds.
The midfielder has already been up close and personal with the Sammarinese, having been in the Linfield team that triumphed against the same opponents back in 2017.
Although Lowry has briefed the Bannsiders on the strengths and weaknesses of Juri Tamburini’s team, O’donnell insists they will be no pushovers.
“Stephen (Lowry) played against them a few years back and they are a typical European side, tactically good, comfortable on the ball and big and physical,” said O’donnell.
“Make no mistake about it, they are a decent side and we’ll have to be at our best.
“Although the Blues progressed against La Fiorita, and they defeated another San Marino side a few weeks back in the Champions League, we are under no illusions about how important the game is for us.
“We are looking forward to it and we are hopeful of achieving a positive result.”
Even though their fans will be missing from a usually intimidating Showgrounds, O’donnell, who only this week agreed a new two-year contract with the Bannsiders, insists his boys will still be raring to go.
He added: “I think the word hunger will define our season, everyone is up for this.
“There is no doubt the club is on an upward path, having recently won the Irish Cup, League Cup and finished runners-up twice in the league campaign.
“Personally, I’m delighted to get the deal done. Once the gaffer (Oran Kearney) spoke to me about extending my stay, it was done very quickly.
“It was such an easy decision. I’m immensely proud to have been at the club for three years and I’m excited about the future.
“I was plagued by a calf injury last season and I missed parts of the campaign but I’m now feeling good again, doing extra training sessions and I have that hunger and excitement in my belly again.”
If successful, a trip to Slovenia to face Maribor is the prize that awaits the Bannsiders.
But Coleraine manager Oran Kearney admits that will be the furthest thing from their mind as all the focus will be on La Fiorita.
“They are part-time like ourselves and they haven’t been in action since March,” said Kearney. “Up-to-date and relevant footage is difficult to get a hold of. The best indicator we have is from Stephen (Lowry) when they played against Linfield.
“Looking at their league table, they don’t seem to score a lot of goals but they don’t concede a lot either. But it’s a big chance for us and an opportunity to reach out and grab it. I think the players have that hunger about them.” • MICHAEL Carvill, Mark Patton, Ally Teggart and Corey Mcmullan have signed one-year extensions with Dungannon Swifts.
Leaving Stangmore Park are Ryan Waide, Caomhan Mcguinness, Ross Redman, Guillaume Keke and Niall Mcginley.