Glentoran Head Coach Mick McDermott has been named Manager of the Month for April by the Northern Ireland Football Writers’ Association. The Glens completed April unbeaten in seven Danske Bank Premiership matches with wins over Portadown, Dungannon Swifts, Cliftonville and Larne.
Mick: “I’d like to thank the Football Writers’ for selecting me as manager of the month. April was a difficult month for us, as we played every Saturday and Tuesday, with some big games thrown in, so to finish the month unbeaten is a big achievement. There were some scrappy games but overall, the players did really well, considering the demands.
I think all the players across the league deserve credit for the durability and commitment they've shown across the season. It's not easy. Our players are no different. They've worked really hard and they're still working really hard because there's still a lot to play for.”
On the challenges for the rest of the season, starting with today’s Sadler’s’ Peaky Blinders Irish Cup tie with Cliftonville, Mick said:
“We have a lot still to play for over the next four weeks in both league and cup. I think a successful season is getting into Europe. In terms of a successful project, our project is moving in the right direction. I have no doubt that more trophies will come because I can see what we are putting together here behind the scenes as well as on the pitch. We've put together a good group and a good squad trying to re-build the club and get back the credibility of competing at the highest level."
This was Mick’s third NIFWA monthly award since joining the club.
Well done, Mick! Well deserved.
Mick McDermott accepts his Belleek trophy from NIFWA Chairman Stuart McKinley