Paddy McCourt has called for unity and resilience from his Glentoran squad following a gut-wrenching 2-1 home defeat to Coleraine. The interim manager, who took charge after Declan Devine's departure, saw his side concede a 94th-minute winner to the league leaders at the BetMcLean Oval on Monday.
Glentoran now sit eighth in the Premiership, having taken just seven points from their opening seven games. They are a full 12 points behind Coleraine at the summit. The defeat was their third in the last five outings, a run that includes a draw with Bangor and a win over Ballymena United.
Late drama at the Oval
The game turned dramatically in the final quarter. Coleraine's Jack Thomson broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute, capitalising on a period where the visitors had been on top. Jordan Jenkins gave the home support hope with an 83rd-minute equaliser, pouncing on a defensive error.
Hope turned to despair deep into added time. Lewis McGregor found the net in the fourth minute of stoppage time to snatch all three points for the league leaders, condemning Glentoran to a third league loss of the campaign.
McCourt, overseeing his first match alongside Tim McCann since taking temporary control, paid tribute to his predecessor. "Declan gave everything to the job and I know a lot of the players were very fond of him," he said. The former Celtic winger stressed his focus is on the immediate task. "This is a results business and we have all been in football long enough to understand that these things can happen, but that does not make it any less difficult on a personal level."
He emphasised the need for the squad to stick together and cut out the kind of goals that cost them against Coleraine. McCourt acknowledged the expectation at a club of Glentoran's stature, where losing is particularly hard to take. He believes performances with that level of spirit will give them a better chance to start collecting points.
The interim boss confirmed he does not see his role as a long-term one, stating he has a duty to steady the ship while the club undertakes a proper managerial process. His immediate job is to prepare the team for a tough trip to face fourth-placed Cliftonville this Saturday.
With nine goals scored and nine conceded this season, finding a more clinical edge in both boxes will be key. The squad must regroup quickly for the visit to Solitude, where another stern test awaits. McCourt's message is clear: the group must remain united through this challenging period.
Read the full report at Belfast Live
