Institute chairman Keith McElhinney.
Institute “rightfully belong” in the top flight of Northern Irish football, club chairman Keith McElhinney has said.
Mr McElhinney was speaking ahead of tonight’s Danske Bank Premiership clash with Ballymena at the Showgrounds in which the Derry side will be hoping to continue their impressive return to the top division.
The Drumahoe side find themselves in fourth position in the league, three points off the top, having won two, drawn two and lost one – a 2-3 home defeat to defending champions Cliftonville – of their first five games.
However, despite the outcome of tonight’s game, Institute chairman, Keith McElhinney, said the fact such games were even evoking “so much excitement and discussion” showed the “massive step forward” the club had taken since gaining promotion from the Championship last season.
He said: “There is a resurgence of excitement and anticipation around the Riverside, and that’s all due to Institute being back in the top flight of Northern Irish football where we rightfully belong.
“We have a great set-up down here, Institute is a proud club made up of committed and hard working coaches, players and volunteers – we have all come together to get ourselves in this position and now we are reaping the rewards with fixtures like this one.”
On the playing field, new signing from Coleraine, goalkeeper Eugene Ferry, is expected to start tonight’s game after missing Saturday’s home win over Warrenpoint due to Institute not receiving the relevant paper work from the Irish Football Association.
However, manager Paul Kee looks set to be without striker Cormac Burke who is considered a major doubt after limping off in the first half of Saturday’s 1-0 win with a hamstring strain.
Meanwhile, Institute’s reward for defeating Championship 2 side Dollingstown in the League Cup is a home third round tie against fellow Premiership side Ballinamallard Tuesday, 7 October.
