Glentoran defender Ryan Cooney says he is relishing every moment of his new challenge in East Belfast as the Glens prepare for Friday night’s Sports Direct Premiership trip to Cliftonville at Solitude (kick-off 7.45pm).
The 25-year-old full-back arrived from Crewe Alexandra in the summer and has made an impressive start to life at the BetMcLean Oval, with Glentoran unbeaten after eight league fixtures, six wins and two draws placing them top of the table.
Manchester-born Cooney joined the Glens with more than 250 senior appearances in English football. After breaking through at Bury, he made over 120 appearances for Morecambe and played a key role in their promotion from League Two in 2021, before spending two seasons at Crewe Alexandra where he featured 90 times.
Since moving to East Belfast, Cooney has quickly established himself in Declan Devine’s squad, contributing a goal, an assist and helping the Glens record five clean sheets in nine appearances.
Ryan Cooney said: “I’ve loved every minute since joining Glentoran and I’m really enjoying my football here. From the first day I walked through the door the lads have been brilliant, the staff have been so professional and the supporters have been outstanding in the way they’ve welcomed me. That makes a huge difference when you’re settling into a new club.
“There’s a fantastic camaraderie in this group. We know how to have a laugh together off the pitch, but when it comes to training and matches everyone is switched on and prepared to work. That balance between enjoyment and professionalism is something special and it really shines through on the pitch.
“Declan and Paddy set the standards every single day. Their professionalism, the intensity of training and the attention to detail in everything they do drives the players forward. Their ambition rubs off on the squad and it makes you want to push yourself and deliver for them, for your teammates and for the supporters.
“The league is strong and every game has been a real test, but that’s exactly what I wanted when I came here. I’ve faced tough opposition already and that will only continue, but that’s what helps you improve as a player. I missed the start of pre-season and had a couple of niggles as well as the broken nose, so I still feel there’s more to come from me.”
Cooney believes the depth and balance within the Glentoran squad has been central to their impressive start, with genuine quality in every area of the pitch. He insists, however, that the best is still to come, with the team striving to be more clinical in front of goal and set to be further strengthened by players returning from injury and suspension in the weeks ahead.
Ryan added: “What’s really struck me since I arrived is the calibre of this squad. Marcus Kane, James Singleton and Josh Kelly are outstanding leaders who drive standards every single day. Shane McEleney has been a rock at the back, while Pat Hoban is the ultimate professional and genuinely one of the best forwards I’ve ever played with or against.
“Pat and Jordan Jenkins are building a real understanding and I believe they will form a partnership that gives us a constant threat up front. Then you’ve got Jordan Stewart and Liam Burt who can unlock a game with a moment of quality and Danny Amos with a left foot that’s a real weapon. Everywhere you look there’s competition for places and that pushes all of us to be at our very best.
“We’ve made a really positive start to the season, but no one is getting carried away. The manager and coaching staff have been clear it won’t mean anything unless we maintain it. There’s still a long way to go and a lot of football to be played across all competitions, so our job is to stay focused and keep our standards as high as possible every single week.”
The right-back is preparing for his first taste of Solitude but knows Friday night’s trip will be another major challenge for Glentoran. With the travelling support selling out the away end, Cooney says the squad are determined to deliver a strong performance and reward the fans by bringing three points back to the BetMcLean Oval.
Cooney concluded: “I’ve never played at Solitude, but I’ve been told what a tough place it is to go, so I know how big a challenge Friday will be. Cliftonville are a strong side with quality all over the pitch and they always play with real intensity. We’ll need to be switched on from the first whistle, stay disciplined in our shape and make sure we impose our own game on the match.
“The away end is sold out and that backing will mean a lot to us. Whether it’s at the BetMcLean Oval or on the road, the Glens fans have been unbelievable and as players we want to repay that loyalty by giving everything on the pitch and deliver performances they can be proud of.”
For Glentoran fans, the away allocation for Friday night’s Sports Direct Premiership fixture against Cliftonville at Solitude is now sold out.
