CHRIS SHERRARD GER’S HIGH

By Mcmahon wants success but he knows is won’t come easy

GERARD Mcmahon knows all about expectation.

Having being snapped up into full-time football by Tottenham as a Glenavon teenager, it's gone hand in hand with his career.

So now he's back in his hometown as manager of Lurgan Celtic, there's little that can phase him.

And a successful spell in the dugout of Dromara has prepared him for what's in store.

But just what is in store for the Hoops this season is anyone's guess.

Having finished bottom of the Championship with just three wins, a clear out on and off the pitch was launched.

In came Mcmahon, along with the bulk of a new team, with a view to getting the club upwardly mobile once again.

Our first clue as to how that mission will go came on Saturday when they took on Armagh City in the League Cup.

And a 4-0 win increases hope and expectation at Knockramer Park that last season's misery is all behind them.

Mcmahon (inset) is, of course, not looking too far into the distance, nor assuming that Saturday's big win is about to become the norm.

He said: "It was a good start but you have to take it with a pinch of salt.

"Armagh weren't at full strength but you can only beat what's in front of you so we have to be pleased.

"We'd love to have another game now this weekend rather than being without one because then we're into the start of the league.

"We have Queen's in our first league match and I'm sure that's going to be as hard a start as we could have got.

"They did really well last season so that game will show us where we are at."

The Lurgan men progressed to the second round of the League Cup in impressive fashion at the weekend.

David Magee led the way with a welltaken hat-trick as they swept Armagh City aside with a strong showing at Knockramer.

They started as they intended to go on with David Magee scoring the opener in the first few minutes.

But it took until the same point of the second-half for them to double that advantage with Magee again getting it.

Peter Mccann broke from midfield to get the third before Magee secured the matchball with his third late on.

And Mcmahon is delighted with the make-up of the side they're constructing at the Hoops.

"We have a good mix of youth and experience now," he said.

"I'm hoping that is what you will need in the league we're in, a blend right down the spine of the team.

"I have a bit more understanding of building a team after my time with Dromara.

"I loved my time with the club and it was a hard decision to leave because I'm sure they're going to win silverware very soon.

"This is the chance for me to manage close to home and help rebuild the team. "We've trained hard in pre-season and the fact we've been able to bring in the lads we have is what convinced me to take the job.

"I think there were two players left from last season so I spoke to a lot of players over the summer.

"And we managed to get some great experience in – the likes of Peter Mccann who has so much know-how and is extremely fit still.

"I made him captain straight away because he knows what he's doing and his ability to keep the ball and manage games is going to be invaluable."