New Faces 2022/2023 – Part One

With new management and backroom teams in place, David Hunter spoke with those joining us, at Loughgall on Saturday, and has put a number of short introductions together.

We welcome all to Lisburn Distillery

So, in their own words;

Ciaran Stitt

“I played in goals for Carrick and Larne in the Championship, then was coach for the Larne first team and then at Carrick Rangers in the Premiership. Then I moved to Glentoran as first-team goalkeeping coach and when Mick McDermott came in I left. I went with Barry to St James’ Swifts and was goalkeeping coach there.

I also coach under-age groups in the Northern Ireland set-up and I work with Roy Carroll. Whilst I will be assistant manager under Barry, my primary role will be goalkeeping coach.”

Brendan Shannon

“Barry gave me a call a few weeks ago telling me had something potentially coming up and that he would be in contact with me. He called me and when I knew it was The Whites I was eager to get involved.

I have played about the leagues – Portadown, Glenavon, Ards, Donegal Celtic (DC), player manager at Lurgan Celtic, so I know the leagues pretty well and most of the players in it. Initially I started off as a full-back so in terms of our defence I am looking to get that organised and I played in midfield and at centre-half.

My ethos as a player was that nobody would beat me one v one, strong and tough, hard to play against first and foremost but also to get forward and join in with play too.

Coaching-wise I was involved at DC in the past, I worked for the Irish Football Association for five years and got my B-Licence there. The last few years I stepped away and had got started again, Sport & Leisure, then Belfast Celtic but hadn’t been involved in the last year and a half. I have been involved now for the last two weeks and been enjoying it.“

Gavin Johnston

“I have come in as a coach to give Barry, Ciaran and Brendan a hand, I was with Barry at St James’ Swifts for three years. Before that I previously played for Sport & Leisure in Championship 2, I played against Distillery a lot. Before that I was at Knockbreda and Cliftonville.”

In part 2 – we will introduce our new backroom team members, Kym Mulholland and Andrew Glennie.