Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HARKIN MAD
Ciaron fired up to keep the home fires burning for the Bannsiders
COLERAINE midfielder Ciaron Harkin is determined to show no mercy to opposing teams at the Showgrounds this season.
Since mid-december, Oran Kearney’s men have lost just once in all competitions at the Ballycastle Road. This season Coleraine have already recorded a 2-0 home win over Cliftonville, and Harkin is eager to extend the positive sequence against Warrenpoint Town this evening.
“We enjoy playing at the Showgrounds and we don’t want to get beaten in front of our home support,” said the talented playmaker.
“It gives you a lot of confidence when you’re winning games and we want that to continue. It’s important we keep winning at home and also do the best we can away from home.”
Early days of course, but Coleraine – who finished third last season – are riding high in the table with maximum points from their opening three games.
A 3-1 away win at Dungannon with 10 men was backed up by that 2-0 win over the Reds and Saturday’s impressive 2-1 win – again with 10 men – at Crusaders.
It was the North West club’s first league win at Seaview since January 2010.
Harkin said: “We’ve had a tough start to the season, but we have nine points from our opening three games and our defence has been very solid.
“We’ve had to work very hard for our opening nine points and we want to build on it. If we can beat the likes of Crusaders and Cliftonville, we should be targeting three points again.
“Finishing third last season was big for Coleraine and the aim will be something similar. You’re always looking to get better, but all we can do is take every game as it comes.”
Harkin is eager for the Bannsiders to back up Saturday’s statement win at when first-half goals from
Eoin Bradley and
Stephen O’donnell sealed a most memorable win in
North Belfast.
He said: “Crusaders are a top team but everyone was up for it and we produced a big performance.
“We showed a lot of character to win playing with 10 men for half an hour.
“That’s two games now we’ve won with 10 men – against Crusaders and at Dungannon – and everyone has stepped up.”
Incredibly, five of Coleraine’s starting line-up against the Crues were aged 21 or under, while goalkeeper Chris Johns is only 22.
Harkin, 21, said: “The starting team is very young, but we also have experienced players and we have a nice balance.
“We also have options and players who can come into the team which is important.”