BY RYAN FERRY
AFTER a demoralising 2024/25 season, Rathmullan Celtic are competitive once again this term and the players are enjoying their football.
Last season, the seasiders failed to win any games as they were relegated from the Premier Division.
It wasn’t the most attractive job when Chris Cunningham took the reins but he has managed to arrest the slide.
They are fifth in the First Division and looking upwards rather than down.
“Yeah to be fair we are happy with how it has gone, especially when you consider how last year went.
“We have had two defeats and they were both at home which wasn’t ideal for us.
“The good thing for us is that even in the games we lost, we’re not getting blown away.
“We have been very competitive in those matches.
“We are unbeaten away from home which is good.
“But we want to do better in Rathmullan. We won at home last weekend and that was a long time coming just to get the confidence up and make sure the supporters have something to get behind us for.
“We have the best defensive record in the league. We have only conceded nine times and we have three or four clean sheets there.”
Cunningham has retained a chunk of last year’s squad and they are more resilient for the experience.
They also have recruited well and will look to bolster the squad again ahead of the second half of the season.
“We’re doing well and we’re pushing on but it’s just about trying to keep everyone fit.
“If we miss one or two boys, then you’re dragging one or two out of retirement and that’s not really fair on them either.
“We brought in a right few players at the start of the season.
“Kevin O’Donnell has come in and has been excellent.
“Unfortunately Rory McCrossan got injured and it looks like he might be out for the season.
“Taylor Cassidy joined from Lagan but he has moved away. He’s still with the club and is planning to be home for Christmas and doesn’t know how long he will stay.
“Maybe he will come back into the fold if he is about.
“It’s getting to that time now where you’re starting to look at bringing in other boys to strengthen things and push on.
“Those phone calls will hopefully be a wee bit easier because we are doing reasonably well and can say ‘look this is what we’re looking to do in the second half of the season’.
Gweedore United are the visitors to the Flagpole Field on Sunday for a 1pm kick-off.
They are currently bottom of the table but Ethan Harkin is back in the mix for the Carrickboyle side who have time to save themselves from relegation.
Cunningham said: “It’s not going to be easy.
“They need points and they had a good win over Swilly.
“Every game is tough and you don’t know what is going to happen on the day.
“Every team has their off days. We haven’t had too many of them this year and I hope we don’t have too many going forward either.”
