Where there’s a Gill – there’s a way!

Cockhill Celtic manager Donal O’Brien has heaped praise on the influence of Gerry Gill, after the midfielder’s stunning free kick opened the season in style against Buncrana Hearts. In last Saturday’s League Cup opener against Hearts, Cockhill were trailing until Gill produced a moment of magic to equalise with an exquisite curling set piece. That goal changed the game on its head with Celtic going on to secure a memorable win which leaves them just one result from qualifying from the group stages of the tournament. And O’ Brien described Gill’s performance as ‘unbelievable’, saying, “Gerry Gill, scored an unbelievable free kick. There are guys who try that in the Premiership every week who can never do it, but that and his deliveries from the dead ball were unbelievable. But from 1-15 they were all excellent. I have to also give a special mention to Liam O’ Donnell who has been leading the team and I also have to thank those who came out to watch the game. There were 200 people at the game and it was great to see so many supporting a local game.” A draw against Letterkenny Rovers this weekend could be enough to ensure qualification and only two games and O’ Brien admitted that the team’s pre-season efforts are already reaping rewards. He said: “John McElroy has been training the boys and Sean McLaughlin has been helping and that has really brought the team on. We have been back at training since the end of January. That’s eight weeks and in some of those weeks, the boys were in training four times. That has helped and the pre-season games against Derry City and Finn Harps have also really helped us. “I remember two years ago we got beaten by Clonmany in the first game who had already started their season. It’s not just about training but about the players playing with each other last year and this year. That has a big impact on the players.” Last week’s win was achieved without several key players, and with injuries and suspensions set to clear up in the next few weeks, O’ Brien is hopeful that his talented squad can do themselves justice this season. He said: “It was a good start and it was a hard fought game which is what you would expect from a local derby. We had a good pre-season and the boys responded well. I just told them to go out there and keep focused and hopefully we can do better this year. It was an even game until half time but I think we shaded it in opportunities and at the end of the day it was a good result and a good win.”