YES WE CON

Coleraine star Gareth insists his side will not give up their fight to be champs

COLERAINE won’t be daunted by the prospect of trying to keep pace with Crusaders at the top of the table.

According to defender Gareth Mcconaghie, the Bannsiders are actually relishing the challenge of taking this season’s intriguing title race to the wire.

With 13 games left to play, the Crues – who lifted the County Antrim Shield on Tuesday to make it 22 games unbeaten in all competitions – hold a single point lead.

Stephen Baxter’s men are the odds on favourites to be crowned champions but Mcconaghie is determined Coleraine, who last won the title in 1974, will be able to last the distance.

“It’s going to be an interesting run-in,” he said. “There’s a point between us and it’s great to be up there challenging.

“Anything could happen in the last 13 games and I don’t think we’ll be far off. All we can do is look after our own results and hopefully get our rewards.

“If we do our job, we shouldn’t have to worry about anyone else. We have proven that we are capable of going on a run. At this stage, it’s all about chalking the games off.”

Coleraine, who have suffered just one top flight defeat all season, face a tough sequence of games in the league with today’s trip to Glentoran a prelude to forthcoming home games against Linfield and Glenavon.

Add an Irish Cup tie with Institute next Saturday and the high-profile games are coming thick and fast.

Mcconaghie said: “We’re at the right end of the table and I’d rather be playing in highprofile games than mid-table or relegation battles.

“Glentoran will be tough but there are no easy games in this league. We’re determined to look after No1 and we won’t look too far ahead.

“We’ve only lost once in the league and it says a lot about the boys. Everyone’s working for each other and nobody is playing for themselves.”

Coleraine showed their mettle in a 3-3 draw with the Crues at The Showgrounds last Saturday.

The visitors, who led 2-0 and 3-1, lost captain Colin Coates to a second half red card but the Bannmen’s character in securing a gutsy draw shone through.

Mcconaghie said: “We gave away a few soft goals but the fight the boys showed to get back in the game tells you how far we’ve come the past few years.

“At 2-0 and 3-1 down, a lot of sides would have folded but we didn’t. There’s something special in this squad and I think that shone through.”

Mcconaghie, now in his second season at The Showgrounds, is relishing being at the heart of Kearney’s first team plans.

“I love it here,” he said. “Personally, it’s my best season as a player.

“Last season was good but I think I’ve pushed on a bit more this campaign.”