GLENTORAN caretaker boss Tim McCann says that whoever the new manager may be will have a group of highly-motivated players to work with.
Declan Devine exited the club on Monday after the the Glens’ indifferent start to the season before Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton turned down the chance to take the reins.
And it was Glentoran who came out on top 2-1 when the two clubs faced off in the BOYLE Sports Premiership clash at Solitude.
Jordan Jenkins came of the bench to score the visitors’ winner seven minutes from time. A header from Jack Malone – red carded with three minutes remaining – had given the Glens a 15th minute lead before Dean McMaster equalised with a superb 33rd-minute free-kick.
And former Reds star McCann – in charge alongside Paddy McCourt – was impressed with the “fighting spirit” shown by his players.
“The players’ attitude was pleasing. Their commitment to the club and the badge has been questioned. It was a gritty performance,” said McCann.
“The players gave everything for the badge. We probably needed the win more than Cliftonville. The boys really dug in. It was a battling performance from everyone.
“Cliftonville have been playing some great football but we took our chances when we needed to. We scored at the right moments.
“This is the sort of performance a new manager will be looking for. This is a step forward. We’ll try and put a run together and you never know where it could take us.”
As for who will follow Derry man Devine into the Oval hotseat – with Tiernan Lynch and Ian Baraclough strongly linked – McCann added: “Everybody loved Declan – the work he did and his passion. Declan built this team.
“Paddy McCourt and myself will do the best we can. All we can do is wait and see what happens. We just keep working away.”
A Joel Cooper goal right on half-time gave Coleraine a 1-0 home win over new boys Limavady United in the evening match, a victory which took the Bannsiders three points clear of Linfield at the top.
Linfield’s good form continued with a 1-0 win over Crusaders at Windsor Park thanks to a 47th-minute effort by Kitt Nelson. The Blues’ Kirk Miller was later dismissed.
Bangor’s 3-1 victory over Portadown at Clandeboye Park leaves David Jeffrey’s men as the only side without a win.
Lewis Harrison scored the opener before the Ports had Lewis MacKinnon sent off. Lucas McRoberts and Iestyn Hughes extended the Seasiders’ lead after the break before an Oisin Devlin own goal provided a late consolation for the visitors.
A Paul O’Neill hat-trick helped champions Larne to a topsy-turvy 5-2 east Antrim derby success against Carrick Rangers at Taylor’s Avenue.
An O’Neill double and Dan Bent penalty appeared to put Larne on easy street but sloppy defending allowed Danny Gibson to bag a first-half injury time double. After the break O’Neill completed his treble and a second penalty from Bent, awarded for a foul by Joe Crowe which saw the Carrick skipper red carded, completed the scoring.
Third-placed Larne trail leaders Coleraine by six points but have two matches in hand.
Dungannon Swifts drew 1-1 with Ballymena United at Stangmore Park. Igor Rutkowski gave the visitors – who then had Scot Whiteside dismissed – the lead before Danny Wallace equalised.
RESULTS
Coleraine 1 Limavady United 0; Bangor 3 Portadown 1; Carrick Rangers 2 Larne 5; Cliftonville 1 Glentoran 2; Dungannon Swifts 1 Ballymena United 1; Linfield 1 Crusaders 0
FIXTURES
Friday September 25 (7.45pm)
Coleraine v Linfield
Saturday, September 26 (3pm)
Ballymena v Portadown; Crusaders v Bangor; Glentoran v Carrick; Limavady v Cliftonville