Plenty of positives in Bet McLean Cup win

A first competitive start for Stephen Fallon, a first goal in Coleraine colours for Rowan McDonald and a man of the match performance from 17-year-old Oliver Devlin.

Tuesday night's 7-1 demolition of Championship club Armagh City in the Bet McLean Cup could hardly have worked out much better for Bannsiders boss Ruaidhri Higgins and a much changed starting XI.

Little wonder that the head coach cut a contented figure in his post-match press conference.

"The application of the players was top notch, the senior players led by example and the young players showed their talents so, overall, a really good night," was his summary of the game.

As for teenager Devlin, who dazzled amid the fog with two goals and an array of skills, Higgins was positively purring.

"You can't keep him a secret for ever, he's a real, real talent," he admitted.

"He's, I don't know how you would explain it, he's just different, how he moves his body, he's got a low centre of gravity, a change of direction.

"He's got a real bright future ahead of him as long as he keeps developing and learning and working hard. He's got a bright future ahead of him.

"The four young boys that were involved tonight train with us every day so we know they're more than capable when you can compete and train with seasoned pros, you know then that they're more than capable.

"The senior players help them along. We've a brilliant dressing room and I think you can see that.

"We went to Dollingstown and gave them the utmost respect, approached the game in a really professional manner, and we've done that tonight again, so great credit to all the players."

At the other end of the scale from Devlin is Stephen Fallon, a player with considerable Irish League experience but one whose career has been blighted by injuries in recent years.

Coleraine have worked tirelessly with the midfielder since his summer arrival from Linfield and the fruits of that labour were evident with a 60 minutes cameo in midweek.

"We all know about Stevie, he's had a horrible period and I'm sure there were some dark times in that period but it's great for him," continued Higgins.

"We've worked extremely hard with him in the background and he's got 60 minutes so it's great for him.

"Hopefully his body's coming back to where we need it to be again so fair play to him.

"Rowan McDonald scored his first goal and provided an exceptional piece of play for the second, he's such a good footballer.

"Lewis, he's waited long enough for his first goal and he's got a couple. He's got the ability, we know that.

"All wide players should score the type of goal he gets for the first where he gets in the box and gets across people, wide players should be getting four or five of them a season."

As I said, a positive night all round.