Who’s top of the class in mid-term report for Premiership?
SCHOOLS are out for winter but football, although not as we all know and love it, is doing its best to stumble on for the moment. Despite everything, we have made it through the first run of matches and time will tell whether this is a mid-term or half-term report or whether they call a halt to things now that Linfield have taken over at the top. I’m joking. That couldn’t happen. Again.
So here’s how the class of 2020-?? have been shaping up, with a handy look at how they were faring at the same stage last time around.
LINFIELD (1st) Grade: A
This time last term: First
Prize pupil: Stephen Fallon. Seems to get better with every game. Then again, if I were playing alongside Jamie Mulgrew I’d be like Lionel Messi. Sorry, that should read Lionel Blair.
Comings and goings: The return of the talisman that is Joel Cooper is brilliant news for the Blues faithful, and with Bastien Hery and Matthew Shevlin gone, expect more arrivals.
VERDICT: It’s funny, but you get the feeling that with Larne doing so well, Linfield have been having a bit of a mare. The truth of the matter is that they are still top and have a point more to their name than they did at the same stage in the 2019-20 season. No, I don’t know how they do it either. I blame the IFA.
LARNE (2nd) Grade: A+
This time last term: Sixth
Prize pupils: Pretty much every one of them. Special mention to David Mcdaid — goals, experience and cuteness, what’s not to like? And defensive partnerships don’t come much more thran than Albert Watson and Josh Robinson. Oh, and Conor Devlin too.
Comings and goings: Ben Tilney has gone out for some valuable game time but expect his place to be filled soon.
VERDICT: An incredible 2020 for all concerned at Inver Park, including that first senior trophy in many a year when they won the Co Antrim Shield. Despite having played just 11 games, they are already eight points better off than this time last season. Mind you, 2021 has been nothing short of disastrous thus far.
CRUSADERS (3rd) Grade: B
This time last term: Third
Prize pupils: So often overlooked for his classy work in the middle of the park, when Philip Lowry is on song the Crues are too. And Gary Thompson was always the nicest fella you could ever meet, and after a couple of seasons at Seaview he is still a lovely chap but would kick lumps out of you if needs be.
Comings and goings: Interesting to see what part Robbie Weir can play in 2021 and if Paul Heatley can get back to his brilliant best.
VERDICT: Again, it feels as if they haven’t really been firing on all cylinders but they are still there skulking about in the shadows with an air of menace.
BALLYMENA UNITED (4th) Grade: B+
This time last term: Seventh Prize pupils: Ross Redman is playing like a man possessed with a point to prove. Many eyes were raised when Shay Mccartan came to the Showgrounds and, while he took a while to find his feet, when he gets on the ball he makes things happen. Also a special mention to Jordan Williamson in goals.
Comings and goings: Sean Graham has arrived, but the loss of Ciaran Kelly, part of a revitalised United defence, could be an even bigger blow than saying goodbye to transfer-listed Cathair Friel.
VERDICT: Ah, the joys of the pet crocodile that is Ballymena United. You haven’t a clue from one day to the next what you’re going to get, but ultimately you know it will hurt. 2020 was largely awful, 10th spot in the league and beaten in the Irish Cup and Co Antrim Shield finals, so good luck predicting what happens next. COLERAINE (5th) Grade: C
This time last term: Second
Prize pupils: Ben Doherty.
Coleraine always look more of a threat when he plays and his accuracy from the penalty spot is an added bonus. Oran Kearney will have everything crossed that he isn’t out too long with injury. Gareth Deane has settled in well since his arrival from Linfield and Stephen Lowry is, well, Stephen Lowry. Top player. Comings and goings: Not a new signing, but the surprise return of, for me, last season’s Player of the Year, Aaron Canning, after being put on the transfer list could be crucial. Doherty’s absence will hurt. VERDICT: They are well short of last season’s performances when they were sitting right on the shoulder of Linfield before the ridiculous decision to pull the plug on the season far too soon. The injuries they avoided in that campaign have hit them hard thus far. CLIFTONVILLE (6th) Grade: D
This time last term: Fourth
Prize pupils: Aaron Donnelly is often an unsung hero for the Reds but is becoming more and more important for them. The Conors, Mcmenamin and Mcdermott, and the Currans, Chris and Ryan, are all men you would want in your team.
Comings and goings: Aaron Mccarey and Rory Hale have arrived but rumours over the future whereabouts of Joe Gormley and Mcmenamin have been looming over Solitude for ages.
VERDICT: Conceding more goals and scoring fewer can only mean one thing — nine points fewer than this time last season.
GLENTORAN (7th) Grade: D
This time last term: Fifth
Prize pupils: Jay Donnelly’s arrival split local football and Glentoran fans down the middle but there is no disputing his footballing class. Robbie McDaid is the head boy for the big occasion.
Comings and goings: Rhys Marshall is an inspired signing and the return of Hrvoje Plum from injury is just the shot in the arm Mick Mcdermott’s men needed.
VERDICT: They have recovered from their dreadful start and will be hard to stop once they get up a head of steam, but they have probably too much ground to make up at this stage. GLENAVON (8th) Grade: C
This time last term: Eighth
Prize pupils: James Singleton never seems to have a bad game for Glenavon, while in Sean Ward, Sammy Clingan, Colin Coates and Michael O’connor you have experience you can’t get your hands on every day.
Comings and goings: Goals have been a problem. I imagine Gary Hamilton will be casting his eye in a southerly direction, as he has so often, in an effort to solve that.
VERDICT: Feels like they have been doing okay but not getting the results they deserve. Pesky referees.
WARRENPOINT TOWN (9th) Grade: B
This time last term: Twelfth
Prize pupils: Fra Mccaffrey’s return as skipper and in midfield has been a huge boost. Danny Wallace continues to be one of the most under-rated defenders in the league and Alan O’sullivan is a super finisher.
Comings and goings: Barry Gray has been busy in January, bringing in a couple of players, and more are likely to follow.
VERDICT: A first defeat of Linfield, breaking into the top six and in a much healthier place than this time last season. PORTADOWN (Tenth) Grade: C
This time last term: Championship winners
Prize pupils: Kevin Healy spent four years at West Brom and that schooling looks to have held the Dubliner in good stead.
Merit award: Goalkeeper Ben Pierce has been kept busy but continues to impress.
Comings and goings: Hard to know if Matthew Tipton sticks or twists. Give him a 10th-place finish now and he’d snap your hand off, but at the end of the season is what happens really going to matter given the shameful way the Championship has been treated?
VERDICT: When they are good they can be a handful, but with such a young and inexperienced panel there are going to be a few more hard days to endure.
DUNGANNON SWIFTS (11th) Grade: E
This time last term: Ninth
Prize pupils: Rhyss Campbell has been a rare light at the end of what has been a pretty dark tunnel. Michael Carvill still has the quality that has made him a terrific player for a decade.
Comings and goings: The big one is to keep hold of Kris Lindsay.
VERDICT: A tough season so far and they have to start picking up points in their mini-league at the bottom.
CARRICK RANGERS (1 2th) Grade: E
This time last term: Tenth Prize pupils: Michael Smith has always threatened to score goals at this level and with some decent deliveries will do that. Caolan Loughran is a good defender and a real handful at set-pieces at the other end.
Comings and goings: It will be a real boost to have Jonny Frazer back, while the arrival of Chris Ramsey and Corey Mcmullan will certainly strengthen things.
VERDICT: Very hard to judge Niall Currie’s men after being hit hardest by you know what. They’ve played three games fewer than last season. I wish I had some good news for him, but it’s likely to get worse before it gets better.