Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)

IT’S MAKE OR BREAK TIME

Mcconnell believes up coming league fixtures will determine Armagh City’s title credential­s

- BY GARETH FULLERTON

MARC MCCONNELL believes the next couple of weeks could be “make or break” for Armagh City.

The Holm Park side lie second in the Premier Intermedia­te League, quietly sitting in the slipstream of leaders Bangor.

Shea Campbell’s (below) side returns to league action this weekend against basement strugglers Lisburn Distillery.

They then face Bangor before another acid test against fellow title hopefuls Portstewar­t.

“It is good to be back to the league after a few weeks away from it,” Mcconnell said.

“The league is our bread and butter, and all of our fixtures are big games. Bangor are obviously sitting top and you don’t want to get detached from them.

“We want to keep up the pace, and we have Bangor coming up in the next few weeks. So we want to get a good win on Saturday and build on that.

“We have Distillery, Bangor and then Portstewar­t. The next three or four weeks are crucial. I would say they could make or break our season, depending on what results we get.

“If we can get three wins then it will put us in a good position. But we realise that three bad results will see you slip down the table.

“So we are under no illusions.”

Like many onlookers this season, Mcconnell believes Lee Feeney’s Bangor will be the team to beat.

The Seasiders have won all five of their Premier Intermedia­te League fixtures to date, conceding just two goals along the way.

“Bangor are top of the league, and they are there for a reason,” Mcconnell said.

“They are two points clear with a game in hand, and they have only conceded only two league goals So they are the team everyone is targeting.

“Hopefully when that game comes around we can get the win, but we have to perform on the day.”

He added: “Our season has been going quite well to date.

“We have been banging in the goals and also keeping them out. We have had a couple of disappoint­ing results but a lot of it has been encouragin­g.

“We beat Moyola 5-1 in our last league game, and I managed to grab a couple of goals. Hopefully they keep coming.

“They were my first league goals of the season, so I want to try and help the team as much as I can.

“Winning is the most important thing, but scoring goals is important, too.”

As for targets this season, Mcconnell says the PIL title is Armagh’s “bread and butter”.

And he hopes the Eagles can continue challengin­g at the top end of the table for as long as possible.

“We want to be challengin­g at the top end of the table and challengin­g for the title,” he said.

“There is a play-off for second place, but everyone wants to win the league.

“We have put ourselves in a good position to challenge, but we have to maintain this form.

“We have had a lot of cup competitio­ns recently, but the league campaign will start ramping up in the weeks ahead.

“That’s our bread and butter and the one we are focused on.”*

If we can get three wins then it will put us in a good position. But we realise that three bad results will see you slip down the table.

 ?? ?? ON A FINE RUN City’s Marc Mcconnell has been ever present this season at the Armagh club
ON A FINE RUN City’s Marc Mcconnell has been ever present this season at the Armagh club

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom