Hard work paying off says Dylan Boyle

Coleraine midfielder Dylan Boyle believes the club is finally beginning to reap the benefits of going full-time.

The Bannsiders endured an inconsistent season last year before losing out to Cliftonville in the end of season European play-off final.

It's a different story this time around, however, as the north coast side sit proudly at the summit of the league table, having won 10 of their 14 games to date.

"When you look back to last year it's probably a completely different dynamic. It's a lot more enjoyable this year, winning games every week, and it's been really enjoyable so far," he says.

"There's been a lot of hard work to get where we are at the minute and hopefully we can kick on from here.

"It does take a bedding in period. Last season it was the club's first year of full-time football and it's not all gonna gel together straight away, it takes time.

"That bedding in process is now reaping the rewards and, this year, the results have followed.

"We're competing where we want to compete at the top end of the table thankfully," adds Boyle.

They face another test of their credentials this weekend when they travel to Windsor Park for a second meeting with Linfield in the space of a fortnight.

The Blues coasted to the title in 2024-25 but find themselves 11 points behind the early frontrunners, albeit with games in hand.

David Healy's side left with a point following a 2-2 draw at the Showgrounds recently and showed just why they remain a lot of people's favourites to claim another league title.

"Linfield are going to be there or thereabouts every year, the stature of the club, the squad they've got and the fan base – they're always going to be the team to beat in the league," continues Dylan.

"They've got games to catch up in the coming weeks and it'll be January or February before the season takes shape but we want to be in and around the top then without a doubt.

"When you to Windsor you're always going to be in for a tough game. Any team that goes there and wins it's always a big statement but we'll be looking to go there and do that on Saturday and hopefully make a statement about aims and ambitions for the season.

"The first year I came to the league, two years ago, I was at the other end of it playing in a relegation play-off so now to be this side of it it's exciting for myself.

"It's where I want to be competing on a personal level at the top end of the table and pushing for trophies."