MAGUIRE IS STILL HAPPY BATTLING FOR HASTINGS

PAUL “Giggsy” Maguire admits he’s glad he shelved his retirement plans to spearhead Larne Tech’s title challenge. The 35-year-old striker has smashed 26 goals in all competitions already this season, with the Tech boasting one of only two perfect records in the Amateur League’s Intermediate section alongside Crumlin Star. He wasn’t on the scoresheet on Saturday, however, leaving the honours to Matthew Devine and Craig Todd as Johnny Hastings’ men left it late to secure their place in the fifth round of the Irish Cup with a hard-fought 2-0 win at Dunloy. Although there’s considerable excitement around this Thursday’s draw, which sees the entry of the Danske Bank Premiership contingent, the Tech’s main focus this season is on promotion. They’ve been knocking on the door over recent years, with many around the club feeling the summer acquisition of Maguire represents the missing piece of the jigsaw. Despite his advancing years, he remains a real handful and is a quality addition at this level, having proved himself in the Championship at Larne and latterly Ballyclare Comrades (above). Maguire considered hanging the boots up over the summer, but was talked round by Hastings, and says he’s delighted he took that phone call. “I’m enjoying being back and their style of football suits me,” said Maguire. “We are coached to play out from the back and I was quite surprised when I joined because there is a bit of quality there. “It’s going well, I’ve scored a few goals but I’m not joking, I should have scored 46. There is a record at the club and that’s my own personal target this season, but obviously the target for the team is to get promoted, that’s been the Tech’s target for the last few seasons and they just missed out last year towards the end. “Johnny has a squad there that he has kept together for a few years so obviously that’s benefitting him, and he’s a few additions like myself and Michael Mckenna recently signed for us too. “So the plan is to get promoted, that’s the main objective, but it’s hard in the Amateur League because from

week to week, you don’t know who’s going to turn up.“You have off days and there on Saturday, I see Killyleagh drew with Malachians and we played Malachians a few weeks ago and really didn’t play well but we were 4-0 up at half-time.“So you can only take it week by week and see where it takes you.”On Saturday’s game, Maguire admits it was a relief to finally get over the line after a real battle at Dunloy.“It was scrappy enough, just a typical cup tie,” he said. “There was nothing really in it, and then we ended up sneaking it in the last five minutes.“We scored two late on, I think it was the 87th and the 90th minute, but it’s good for the club to get through and hopefully we get a big club in the next round.”