Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
GLYNN’S AIMING HIGH New manager wants United to compete with best
league is the most important and I want teams to know that when they are coming down to Ballynahinch United, they are not coming down for an easy three points any more, they’re coming down to come against a team that is well-organised, well-drilled, who know what their gameplan is and stick to it.
“And I think the boys are starting to believe that we can get results, there is nobody in the league who has completely outclassed us.
“Even when we played St James’ Swifts, who are undoubtedly a brilliant side, a really, really top side, we were beaten 4-0 but for 30 minutes, our gameplan was working, then we conceded two in a couple of minutes and you have a mountain to climb against a team like that.” After suffer- ing 17 defeats in the league last season, Robinson admits one of the first things he needs to change is the mindset at the club.
He wants to raise standards again, to banish any willingness to settle for mediocrity, and with the club enjoying their best form since 2016 – prior to Saturday’s Irish Cup loss to Seagoe, they’d won three games in a row for the first time since that title challenge – early indications are his methods appear to be getting results.
“I’m happy with how it’s going at the minute,” said Robinson. “It was a bit of an unknown taking the job, I mean I knew that I needed to bring players in, it’s common knowledge that Ballynahinch have struggled on the pitch for a few years and with certain things that have happened, they have managed to stay in 1B. But it was an easy decision to make to be fair, because it is my home club, and I’ve had a lot of backing from players who were there and have been there over the last eight or 10 years.
“So I’ve gone down and I’ve brought in quite a few players, most of whom could be playing higher, but they have bought in to what it is I’m trying to do down there and trying to change how we set up and do things.
“They have bought in to it and I’m delighted that they have and long may that continue.”
Meanwhile, Robinson also had some words of praise for Ciaran Brannigan, the former Newcastle manager who is poised to hook up with John Young at Kilmore Rec once the GAA season concludes. He worked under Brannigan at Shimna for two years, cutting his teeth as a coach with the Mourne men and gaining the experience which emboldened him to take on the challenge at Ballynahinch United.
“In my opinion, Ciaran is one of the best coaches and managers in the Amateur League, without a doubt,” added Robinson.
“I learned an awful lot under him and it has set me up and allowed me to take this job at my hometown team.”
United crashed out of the Irish Cup at Seagoe on Saturday, where Alex Burtney (above) scored two before coming off injured with the tie eventually finishing 4-3 in favour of the home team.