Soccer

Ballymena United boss David Jeffrey hails Cathair Friel's attitude

Ballymena manager David Jeffery (below) has praised Cahair Friel following Saturday's victory over Ards
Ballymena manager David Jeffery (below) has praised Cahair Friel following Saturday's victory over Ards Ballymena manager David Jeffery (below) has praised Cahair Friel following Saturday's victory over Ards

BALLYMENA UNITED boss David Jeffrey has hailed the impact of free-scoring forward Cathair Friel after the former Limavady United goal-getter bagged a hat-trick in Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Ards.

That took Friel’s tally for the season to 14, and left the Braidmen on 27 points – six off league leaders Crusaders and level with Jeffrey’s former club Linfield, who Ballymena face tomorrow night. Friel was linked with a move to the Sky Blues in the past before making the step up during the summer, and has since struck up an impressive partnership with Johnny McMurray.

“All the credit has to go to Bryan McLaughlin for signing Cathair. He was on our radar, but Brian really chased him,” said Jeffrey, paying tribute to his assistant manager.

“It was a rude awakening for Cathair at the beginning, it was a very tough pre-season but he stuck by it and every ounce of credit has to go to Cathair - he has been absolutely superb. He’s worked tremendously hard, he’s got himself in great shape and he’s an absolute credit. Jonathan is a great cub too, he has worked phenomenally hard. The wonderful thing about them is it’s all about the team, they’re a joy to work with.”

And Jeffrey revealed the 23-year-old has had a special motivation in recent weeks: “His grandmother hasn’t been well lately and she has been his inspiration," he added.

“His dad attends training every night with him, his mum is immensely proud but as proud as they are of him, his grandmother is even more proud.”

Having already beaten Linfield 4-1 at The Showgrounds in the League Cup earlier this season, Jeffrey expects the Blues to be going all guns blazing to avenge that defeat. The Windsor Park outfit are coming off a 2-2 draw against Glenavon, battling back from two down to rescue a point having been reduced to nine players after just 10 minutes.

All eyes will be on the Ballymena boss as he attempts to do the double against a club where he enjoyed unprecedented success, but Jeffrey (inset) insists his past will have no bearing on what happens on Tuesday night: “There’s maybe extra intrigue for everybody else,” he said.

“For us, our target is very simple, we want to be in the top six. That is it, end of story. Our season will not be dictated by what we do against Linfield or Crusaders or other sides of that level - they are way ahead of us. Certainly, Linfield will remember that we beat them 4-1, but in terms of their budget and the monies they can pay, it’s way and above what Ballymena are paying. They are a very powerful outfit.”

Meanwhile, the table-topping Crues owed a debt of gratitude to goalkeeper Sean O’Neill as they edged to a 1-0 victory over Coleraine at Seaview on Saturday. O’Neill made a number of superb saves and also saved a last minute penalty from Lyndon Kane as a Jordan Owens goal was enough to see Stephen Baxter’s men over the line.

Like Coleraine, the Crues’ north Belfast rivals Cliftonville were left to rue a second-half penalty miss as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park. The Swifts took the lead through Andrew Mitchell 13 minutes in, but a superb Chris Curran half volley drew the Reds level six minutes after half-time. Despite piling on the pressure, they just couldn’t find the winner, with David McDaid’s missed spot-kick adding to their frustration.

And bottom side Portadown made it three games unbeaten after a stalemate at The Oval against Glentoran.