'Crusaders are still team to beat': players and managers on new Danske Bank Premiership season
WATCH: Clubs making final preparations for kick-off at NIFL launch night
Last updated 4th Aug 2018
As the new Danske Bank Premiership programme gets under way today (Saturday), managers and players have been having their say about the season ahead.
All 12 clubs were represented at a special NIFL launch at Windsor Park with Northern Ireland manager, Michael O’Neill, was among the guests.
Downtown & Cool FM spoke to a number of players and managers – as part of our first BetMcLean Facebook football show of the new season (see below).
Glenavon midfielder, Sammy Clingan, believes champions Cursaders are very much favourites to retain their title.
“The thing for us we have got to set out and get a European spot this year,” he said.
“I’m not saying we are going to win the league or anything but it would be nice if we could get top half of the table.
“It’s going to be difficult – Crusaders are the team to beat really – they have got a big squad and Stephen Baxter’s done really well.”
Glenavon kick off their campaign with a tough opener against Linfield at Mourneview Park while Glentoran meet Cliftonville at the Oval.
Reds manager Barry Gray is aiming to build on last year’s impressive end to the season.
He said they will need to be competing for the top honours.
“Clubs like Cliftonville have to be challenging for trophies at some stage or another you have to be delivering them – that is a target for me personally – that is a target for Cliftonville as a club and that never changes year in year out,” he told us.
Meanwhile, Glens boss Ronnie McFall says they will need to bolster their squad if they are to make any kind of challenge this season.
“We are fully aware we need to bring quality players in – we have lost 10 and we need to bring quality in and that’s what we are looking for,” he said.
“If we can get those three or four players in – that will give us a good idea of where we will be. At this stage it is too early to say.”
There are three other games on Saturday with last year’s runners-up, Coleraine, entertaining Warrenpoint and Dungannon Swifts at home to Ballymena United.
Elsewhere, the two newly promoted sides, Institute and Newry meet at the Brandywell.
All of the games kick off at 3pm.
Crusaders, meanwhile, have their opening game on Monday – at home to Ards. Kick-off there, 7.45pm.
NI Football League Managing Director Andrew Johnston said: “We’re all set to go with another exciting campaign this weekend! Crusaders and Coleraine took us to the wire last year, but we expect the Danske Bank Premiership to be more competitive than ever this year with all clubs strengthening over the summer.
“The support from Danske Bank has been invaluable to Irish League football over the past six seasons, we have focused supporting our clubs grow off the pitch as well as on the pitch and that is starting to show as a result of this partnership.”
Stephen Matchett, Chief Financial Officer at Danske Bank said: “It’s a pleasure for us to be back here at the National Stadium for the launch of the 2018/2019 Danske Bank Premiership season, our seventh season as title sponsors. Our partnership with the Northern Ireland Football League in both the Men’s and Women’s Premierships supports our ambition to make more possible for people and communities throughout Northern Ireland. We’re looking forward to another exciting season of local football."
Elsewhere, there are four BetMcLean League Cup fixtures today.
Dundela meet Knockbreda while Lurgan Celtic are at home to Armagh City.
Queen's University take on Lisburn Distillery and PSNI entertain Banbridge Town.
Kick-off in all four games, 3pm.