Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ALEX IS KEEPING IT REAL
Limavady goal ace Pomeroy is working hard to impress dad
BY GARETH FULLERTON
ALEX POMEROY insists he won’t be getting carried away with his impressive start to the season – his father Ally won’t allow him to!
The Limavady United striker scored his 18th and 19th goals of the season on Saturday as the Roesiders beat Rathfriland 4-1 in the Irish Cup.
One of Pomeroy’s goals was scored with Institute before he made the move to the Showgrounds in preseason.
The 24-year-old is on a high right now, but his dad – who is the goalkeeping coach at Limavady – is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
“My dad coached me all through youth football, so it isn’t something new having him around,” Alex said.
“We bounce off each other, and he is my harshest critic. He is quick to remind me where I am going wrong, or things I can improve on.
“I still live at home, so there is no escape.
“I remember during my youth football days, we were playing a game and I had just scored my second goal and my dad hooked me. He didn’t even let me try and get the hat-trick.
“But he wasn’t too bad after Saturday’s win over Rathfriland. I had been sick earlier in the week so I think he let me off lightly.”
Reflecting on his prolific start to the season, Pomeroy added: “I have 18 goals in 14 games for Limavady, but I also scored one for Stute before I left them.
“I came to Limavady to get some regular football and start enjoying it again. I wasn’t getting that at Institute and it was frustrating.
“I had the option to sign for another Championship club, but then the opportunity arose at Limavady and I just wanted to come here and score as many goals as possible.
“I have confidence in my ability to score goals. I have taken a step down but I am loving it here.”
Limavady had to come from behind to see off Rathfriland and book their place in the next round of the Irish Cup.
Dean Brown scored the equaliser before Hugh Carlin (circled) edged the Roesiders in front.
Pomeroy (pictured with dad Ally) bagged his brace after the break to ease Limavady to their win, and now they enter the draw alongside the big guns of the Premiership and Championship.
“It was a good result. The aim was to get into the next round and we’ve managed to do that,” Pomeroy said.
“We didn’t start the game too well and went behind. The weather conditions were horrible, with the wind dictating much of the play.
“We managed to get two goals before the break to put us in front, and we managed to see it out with another two goals.”
He added: “I would be happy with a home draw next. Any home draw would be good.
“Maybe some boys want Linfield, but you want to go as far as you can.* “But we will wait and see what the draw throws up. It will be a big game no matter who we get.”
Pomeroy is revelling in life at Limavady United, after enduring a frustrating spell with Institute.
The striker admits a lack of game time prompted his decision to move during the summer,
and now he is targeting a return to the Championship with his new club.
“I was at Institute from when I was 16 to about 20, and then I played with Dergview and Knockbreda before returning to Institute when they were in the Premiership,” he said.
“Obviously Covid impacted on things and Stute got relegated, and then when we came back I only got a handful of games and I didn’t think I got a fair chance.
“I just decided it was time to move on.
“It was a difficult start to the season for me and I needed something fresh, and moving to Limavady has proved a good move for me.
“I am from Limavady and a few of my mates play for them as well. So that was a good selling point.”
Limavady currently sit third in the Premier Intermediate League, and Pomeroy believes they have a good enough squad to challenge for promotion.
“The Championship is where this club deserves to be. It is a big target for the club,” he said.
“We definitely have a good enough squad. We have players who have played in the Championship so they know what it takes.
“There is plenty of confidence in the team and there is some momentum building. Everyone in the squad is close friends and there’s great belief.”
SATURDAY’S PIL FIXTURES: Limavady United v Lisburn Distillery, Banbridge Town v Dollingstown, Tobermore United v Newington, Bangor v Armagh City, Moyola Park v PSNI.
We bounce off each other, and he is my harshest critic. He is quick to remind me where I am going wrong, or things I can improve on.