Hugh McKendry’s Larne Olympic side have made an encouraging start to the Premiership Development League.
The young Inver side began with an opening day 2-1 win away to their Warrenpoint Town counterparts.
This was followed up by a narrow 1-0 defeat against a strong Carrick Rangers side, at Inver Park.
In midweek they took a point from their trip to Ballymena United’s development side. Connor McRandal scored Larne’s goal, and McKendry’s side were only denied all three points by a late leveller.
Hugh is pleased with what he has seen so far: “Development football is all about exactly that, developing players.
“We have a great group in our Development squad, lads who are hard-working, with a great commitment.
“There is plenty of potential to go with it and a very good spirit among the lads and the oldest player in our Olympic squad is 18-years-old.
“It is a big step-up to go from the Championship Development League to the Premiership equivalent this season, but the boys have made a really good start and are holding their own well.
“Everything we do is geared towards preparing them for first team football at the club, from our warm-up on match days mirroring the senior squad, to the systems we ask the players to play in being the same as what Tiernan works on.
“Next up is Saturday’s trip to Comber Rec in the Steel & Sons Cup. It’s massive test against a strong side, but these are the sort of games you want to play in to help with their development.
“It exposes them to the reality of men’s football, and it will be a good learning curve.”
