IRISH LEAGUE: Gary Haveron hopes stop-start season doesn’t derail survival hopes

The relentless downpours have hit hard at the club’s Taylor’s Avenue home, resulting in four postponements so far this season.

Tuesday’s County Antrim Shield semi-final against Linfield was called off due to a waterlogged pitch – just three days after their Premiership fixture with Cliftonville also fell victim to the rain.

The club is now exploring “all options” to ensure regular football – including fulfilling a series of away fixtures to allow their own pitch to recover.

“It has been very frustrating,” Haveron said.

“It has been stop-start and we are desperate to play games. What we don’t want is a whole load of midweek games to fulfil, because that will take its toll on our small squad.

“The club has worked hard to get Taylor’s Avenue match-ready, but you can’t control the weather.

“We are looking at all the options available to us, and if that means playing our away games first then it is something we will look into.

“But we want to ensure that senior football remains in Carrick. That is vital.”

Looking ahead to Friday night’s trip to Glenavon, Haveron added: “The players are itching to get out there and just play.

“It has been frustrating but we will be ready for Friday night’s game at Glenavon.”