Ryan Cooney insists Glentoran must move past their 2-1 league defeat to Linfield ahead of Friday's Irish Premiership clash against Ballymena United. The Glens' second league game of the season ended in disappointment at the Clearer Twist National Stadium, with Cooney acknowledging the team's frustration but emphasizing the need for resilience. "Nobody likes to lose games, but losing to your rivals is a tough one to take," said the defender. The Glens' poor performance against Linfield, which saw them fail to control the match, has sparked calls for a swift response. Cooney stressed the importance of learning from the setback, noting the team's history of bouncing back from adversity. "We need to do that again come Friday night as we don’t want anything to linger on," he added, highlighting the squad's determination to avoid repeating past mistakes.
Cooney also addressed Ballymena United's summer recruitment, praising their quality signings and recent 3-0 victory over Linfield. "They have recruited a lot of quality and experienced Irish League players who have played at this level for a number of years," he noted. The Sky Blues' strong start, including a surprise 2-1 loss to Crusaders last weekend, has made them a formidable opponent. Cooney warned that Ballymena's first home game of the season would provide extra motivation for the visitors. "We are fully aware of all this though and we will be well prepared for our trip to The Showgrounds," he said, stressing the importance of execution in the match. The defender's comments underscored the Glens' focus on avoiding dropped points and maintaining momentum in a competitive league.
