SO, we’ve reached the final countdown, and tomorrow we welcome our neighbours, Carrick Rangers to Inver Park for the opening game of the final round of ten fixtures.
We warmly welcome the Amber Army for what I’m sure will be a tense encounter, with so much at stake for both clubs. No quarter will be asked nor given as we both strive to deliver on the goals we set ourselves at the outset of the season.
We really could be in for a cracking game.
I enjoyed last week’s game courtesy of Twitter and Bill Guiller ‘live’ in Malaga, I thank Bill for that, it was greatly appreciated. The boys did well and we really could have had a few more goals, what we did get however was a great team performance with some outstanding passages of play and individual excellence. These augers well for the business end of the campaign.
With being away last week I was unable to welcome the kids from Larne & Inver, St. Macnissi’s and Corran Integrated, who were in attendance as part of our initiative working with the local schools. Tomorrow we see Roddensvale, Linn and St. Anthony’s represented, which I’m really looking forward to.
This initiative brings me back to my own childhood in 1982. The late Billy Murray took me as my accompanying adult at the time, these are the days I hark back to under Johneen Black, and are part of the reason I feel so privileged to be back helping craft the future of our great club.
As the song goes, ‘the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way’. Tomorrow could be start of many a love affair with Larne FC. Wouldn’t that be refreshing and reward on its own for the work we are undertaking in the community. Enjoy your day boys and girls.
I intimated last week that moves were afoot to switch the kick off time for the Tennent’s Irish Cup game with Crumlin Star. Unfortunately our proposal, backed by our opponents, was turned down by the IFA.
This is disappointing, as in working with Larne Tech OB we really could have put on a great sporting day for the town. We take this ruling on the chin however and it will surely strengthen the resolve of both clubs to make it into the hat come 5.30pm on Saturday week. What price yet for a Larne FC v LTOB FC draw in the last eight…!
I would like to wish Paul Finnegan all the best as he joins Portadown Football Club on a two-and-a-half-year deal. Paul was very unfortunate with injury in the early part of the season, and due to our run of consistent form was unable to find a way back into the team.
Sometimes these things happen and the fresh start, with regular game time is what Paul craved at this stage in his career. He goes with our best wishes as he gave his all during his time with the club. As part of the deal, Paul will not feature in any games between both clubs for the remainder of the 2018 – 19 campaign.
Before concluding, I would like to pass on my condolences to the Semple and LFSC Station Road families on the passing of Mr. John Semple. John was a great character whom I grew very fond of since I came back to the club. Not that long ago, he was very insistent with me that he sponsored a match ball, as he had sponsored one the previous week at the Tech. This was John, generous to a fault and making sure no-one got more that the other. May he rest in peace…
Finally, can I thank The Curran Court Hotel for their continued sponsorship of our pre-match preparations, Graham’s Pizza for our post-match food, our match sponsor East Antrim Electrical, our match ball sponsor ICSS Ltd and our Man of the Match sponsor, Classic Drinks in conjunction with Vallformosa.
We’re on our way…
Gareth
#RAWA
