Although Chris Keenan has fully recovered from the ankle injury that tossed the club into an early season goalkeeping crisis, new recruit Brian Neeson kept the jersey as Larne went into a crunch second match in the IFA Championship on Tuesday night – and it's his until such times as his form dips.
“After the very disappointing opening result in the league, a horror midweek defeat away to Ballymoney earlier this month, it was extremely satisfying to win the two cup matches last week – and the huge bonus for me was two clean sheets” explained ma
nager Graham McConnell.
The 3-0 victory over Dundela last Tuesday in the County Antrim Shield was followed on Saturday by a narrow, but equally important 1-0 victory against Dromara Village and the blank look on the goals conceded side of the scorelines left everyone mighty happy.
“I am so delighted by that I just can’t tell you” repeated McConnell. “Brian Neeson is only 19 and he’s signed on loan from Linfield. And he could hardly have made much of a more impressive start than keeping two clean sheets in just four days.
“I think we’re very fortunate to have two such capable goalkeepers on our books, I really do. Christopher Keenan is only a couple of years older than Brian and he is an exceptional talent – one of the best goalkeepers in the country at the moment.
“But it says much for Brian Neeson that Christopher Keenan is now having to await his chance. In fact, I believe that the Linfield lad certainly had the potential to be as good as Christopher if he continues to progress as he appears to be doing this past while.
“Last week as well we signed Craig Gilmore from Bangor. I had predicted to you that the deal would go through fairly quickly and I’m glad to say that did happen.
“I made no secret of the fact that I wanted to sign three players down the middle of the team; we got the centre half and the central midfielder was Ryan Maxwell, as I stated last week, so now it just remains for me to bring in the striker I need.
“As I explained last week I can’t publicly name the player, out of courtesy and respect for the club and the individual concerned. The deal didn’t go through as quickly as I had hoped, Glentoran still trying to bring in an experienced striker, something that would help get the release of the guy I want, so it’s a wait and see situation right now.
“The cup competitions have been kind to us, draw-wise and results-wise, and that is still the situation after we pulled Tobermore United in the CIS competition.
“We were supposed to be at home to them on Saturday in the first leg and then travel to mid-Ulster next midweek. But, because of the lights situation, we are now at home in both legs.
“I’d have though the IFA really should have just reversed the ties, but I’m not complaining at having both games at Inver Park.
The full article contains 531 words and appears in Larne Times newspaper.
