Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
NEVER GONNA MAX POWER STOP..
Jamie vows Coleraine won’t back off in their pursuit of Crusaders
COLERAINE striker Jamie Mcgonigle says Oran Kearney’s men are relishing the high drama of their title tussle with Crusaders.
The league’s top two teams couldn’t be separated in a 1-1 draw at Seaview on Tuesday night, leaving the Crues two points clear with four games to play.
Stephen Baxter’s men – pipped at the post by Linfield last season – are
1/3 with bookies to lift the
Gibson Cup later this month.
But Mcgonigle, who scored Coleraine’s opener from the penalty spot only for David
Cushley (inset) to force home a late leveller, believes there’s plenty of life left in the race.
Ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Cliftonville, he said: “You know from last year’s title race that there can be a lot of twists and turns in the run-in. Anything can happen.
“There are still 12 points to play for, so there’s plenty of football to be played. It could still swing our way.
“They’re all big games now and we’re looking forward to them.
“We have given everything so far this campaign and there’s no reason to believe we won’t do the exact same in our remaining fixtures.
“Our focus turns to Cliftonville and we can only look after our own results.
“If we keep picking up points, the league will look after itself.”
Mcgonigle believes Coleraine’s recent run of form – they also face Cliftonville in the Irish Cup final on May 5 – has sneaked under the radar.
The Bannmen have gone 23 games in all competitions since suffering their last defeat – a 2-1 league loss to Linfield at Windsor Park on November 18.
The Northern Ireland U21 striker said: “We went 17 unbeaten last season and there was a lot of hype around that, but we’ve bettered it this year.
“It’s kind of gone under the radar, but at the same time we’re not really thinking about unbeaten runs, we’re only thinking about the next game and trying to pick up three points.” Mcgonigle’s opener from the penalty spot against the
Crues was his 19th goal in all competitions, equalling his tally for last season.
Remarkably, his return this campaign is exactly the same as last year – 15 league goals, three in the Irish Cup and one in the League Cup.
He said: “I’ve equalled last season’s tally and we still have four games and the Irish Cup final to play, so as long as I better that tally, that’s a personal target achieved for me.
“It was disappointing to concede a late equaliser from a set piece at Seaview after defending so well all game, but we need to pick ourselves up and go again.
“Cliftonville are still in the hunt for third place and Europe, so it will be a tough game.”