{"id":1237961,"date":"2022-10-29T11:01:16","date_gmt":"2022-10-29T11:01:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/10\/29\/glentoran-do-mick-mcdermotts-side-already-have-the-look-of-champions\/"},"modified":"2022-10-29T11:01:16","modified_gmt":"2022-10-29T11:01:16","slug":"glentoran-do-mick-mcdermotts-side-already-have-the-look-of-champions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/10\/29\/glentoran-do-mick-mcdermotts-side-already-have-the-look-of-champions\/","title":{"rendered":"Glentoran: Do Mick McDermott’s side already have the look of champions?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Glentoran manager Mick McDermott and Conor McMenamin celebrate Friday\u2019s 4-0 win over Larne<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Whisper it quietly around east Belfast\u2026but could Glentoran be about to end what would be a 14-year wait for an Irish League title success?<\/span><\/p>\n

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As statement wins go, they don\u2019t come much more emphatic than Friday\u2019s <\/span>4-0<\/span> dismantling of previously unbeaten Larne \u2013 a result which saw the Glens leapfrog the east Antrim side into top spot in the Premiership.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Played 10, won nine, drawn one, lost none \u2013 goals flowing freely with an abundance of attacking threats across the pitch, just one goal conceded \u2013 that\u2019s what you call impressive early-season form.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes it\u2019s early days, but it\u2019s been a flying start for the Oval outfit and the signs look somewhat ominous at this stage for their group of title rivals. <\/span><\/p>\n

Larne were well in the game in the first half and their fans will hope this is only a temporary setback given their own recent eye-catching results, but it was the Glens who were best in the tussle of the top two under the lights on Friday night.<\/span><\/p>\n

Magic McMenamin<\/h3>\n

As in so many games this season, it was Conor McMenamin who inspired the hosts to a victory which gives them a two-point cushion at the summit with one game in hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oozing with confidence and peerless these days in Irish League terms, it was Northern Ireland international McMenamin who pulled the strings again against Larne, scoring two goals and instrumental in the creation of two others as one of the mooted challengers in this season\u2019s race for the Gibson Cup were ruthlessly swept aside in front of an appreciative home support.<\/span><\/p>\n

This just two weeks after struggling defending champions Linfield were convincingly seen off 3-0 by the Glens on their own patch.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seemingly \u2018unplayable\u2019 at times, McMenamin has been in a class of his own in the Irish League\u2019s top flight this season, producing a series of outstanding individual performances.<\/span><\/p>\n

The only potential problem for followers of Glentoran and their championship ambitions may be that he is also likely to have many admirers in England and Scotland which may lead to a move in the January transfer window.<\/span><\/p>\n