Soccer

Declan O'Hara loving life as Paddy McLaughlin's number two

Declan O'Hara (right, during his playing days) is loving his assistant manager's role at Cliftonville
Declan O'Hara (right, during his playing days) is loving his assistant manager's role at Cliftonville Declan O'Hara (right, during his playing days) is loving his assistant manager's role at Cliftonville

Danske Bank Irish Premiership: Glentoran v Cliftonville (tonight, The Oval, 7.45pm)

WHEN Declan O’Hara took a call from Paddy McLaughlin three years ago he thought he was getting the sack. As it turned out, McLaughlin wanted the Cliftonville Olympic coach to join him in turning the fortunes of the club’s first team around.

Fast-forward to the present and O’Hara is playing a key role in Cliftonville’s dramatic push for silverware on all fronts this season.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s second-versus-third clash with Glentoran at the Oval, O’Hara has loved the challenge of raising standards at the club where he spent seven years as a player, and joked that he speaks more to McLaughlin than his own wife.

“Three years ago, Paddy pulled me in when he got the job and I thought I was getting sacked to be honest with you, because you know when new managers come they bring their own staff. But he said: ‘I want you to come in and help me out.’

“I was a wee bit shocked at the start. I actually did have to think about it because I was involved with the reserves and we were pushing boys into the first team and I was enjoying that role.

“But I told Paddy: ‘Whatever you need’. And since then I’ve become assistant manager. I actually speak more to Paddy than my own wife, I’m not going to lie!

“But taking the role with Paddy was the best thing I’ve ever done.”

Since becoming involved in the Reds backroom team, O’Hara has been promoted to the assistant manager’s role and says the hardest part is trying to keep such a talented squad happy.

McLaughlin has rarely had to make enforced changes this season as they continue to push Glentoran and Linfield all the way in the league championship, while also preparing for next Sunday’s League Cup final against Coleraine, and an Irish Cup semi-final showdown with north Belfast neighbours Crusaders on April 2.

“You look at our bench on Friday night [2-1 Irish Cup win over Coleraine] – Chris Curran, Joe Gormley, Paul O’Neill, Aaron Donnelly – it’s hard to keep all those boys happy. But that’s our job.

“Nobody likes sitting in the stand or being left on the bench but their time will come and they must be ready and in fairness to all the players, their attitude has always been spot on. They want in the team and when they get in they want to stay in. I think this is the best Cliftonville squad I’ve seen in a long time.”

O’Hara was a firm fans’ favourite when he played for the Reds between 2004 and 2011 following a spell with Coleraine. He later moved on to Donegal Celtic and Bangor before retiring at 30.

He won a couple of Co Antrim Shields and finished a runner-up in the Irish Cup and League Cup. Still only 39, the former central defender says the standard of the Irish League is unrecognisable from the time when he played.

“The quality is outstanding from top to bottom. I don’t think it gets the recognition it deserves. Look at the title race at the minute and the bottom six. It’s a really good league to be around.”

The Reds will look to avenge the 2-1 home defeat they suffered at the hands of Glentoran on January 17.

“It’s one game at a time and there’s no bigger game than the one tomorrow night,” said O’Hara, who is bar manager of Solitude’s social club.

“The place is absolutely buzzing – and that’s what we want. When the team’s doing well it brings the community together and our games are selling out. The fans have such a big part to play in this. They’ve been super.”

Elsewhere, Linfield will look to hold on to top spot away to Ballymena United, while at the bottom of the table Warrenpoint sorely need a win at home to Dungannon Swifts tonight.

Tonight's fixtures (7.45pm kick-off): Ballymena United v Linfield, Carrick Rangers v Portadown, Crusaders v Coleraine, Glentoran v Cliftonville, Larne v Glenavon, Warrenpoint Town v Dungannon Swifts