Sean McCarron wants to prove his worth as a goalscorer again in the Ulster Senior League this season.
The 26-year-old Derryman scored a hat-trick on his Letterkenny Rovers debut in a 5-3 win over Bonagee in the Donegal News Ulster Senior League Cup on Sunday.
McCarron played two seasons with Finn Harps in the League of Ireland and the striker returns to his former club this weekend as Rovers seek a result that would guarantee advancement from Group B into the semi-finals of the League Cup later in the season.
Sean McCarron during his time at Finn Harps
“It’s great to get off the mark early,” McCarron said after his opening day treble.
“I was just glad to get the goals and glad that we got over the line in the end up.
“I still have a bit to go with my fitness, but I’m looking forward to getting going properly.
“I’m looking forward to it. I have a wee bit to go in terms of fitness, but I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
McCarron was back in training with Harps during the summer months, but has put pen to pater at Leckview Park for the season.
“It’s a great League to make the step up,” he said.
“When I spoke to Eamon (McConigley, Letterkenny Rovers manager), he said he wanted a cutting edge and someone up with Darren to score goals. When I’m at myself, I can definitely do that.”
McCarron netted ten goals for Harps in the 2013 season. After two campaigns at Finn Park, he left and spent some time at Cliftonville.
Now, he’s hoping to drive Rovers to ending their Ulster Senior League famine and breaking Cockhill Celtic’s dominance of the local intermediate scene.
Rovers were four up at one stage on Sunday, but allowed Bonagee come back to make a game of it.
McCarron said: “We were cruising. We were dominating everywhere on the park, but it’s the first game of the season and you’re going to get mistakes there.
“You expect wee mistakes at this stage of the season. We knew we had to get back to basics and be patient in the second half again.”
McCarron scored twice in the first half and had the assists for the goals by Pajo Rafferty and Kevin McGrath.
McCarron’s third showed just why he’s so highly regarded, a crisp first-time effort from 20 yards giving Bonagee ‘keeper Marty McGinty no chance.
McCarron said: “I was thinking about taking a touch. I saw the centre-half was rushing out so I just hit it first time and thankfully it hit the net.”
McConigley clearly rates McCarron and sees the striker as a key part of the jigsaw he’s assembled for this season’s trophy assault.
McConigley said: “Sean is a class player. He seemed to be enjoying himself out there and he scored fantastic goals. He wants to play and he wants to be with us, which is the main thing. I’m delighted that we have him.”
RESULTS
Donegal News Ulster Senior League Cup Group A
Cockhill Celtic 8 Swilly Rovers 1
Derry City Reserves 4 Fanad United 2
Donegal News Ulster Senior League Cup Group B
Letterkenny Rovers 5 Bonagee United 3
FIXTURES
Sunday, September 10, 2pm
Donegal News Ulster Senior League Cup Group A
Fanad United v Cockhill Celtic
Swilly Rovers v Derry City Reserves
Donegal News Ulster Senior League Cup Group B
Finn Harps Reserves v Letterkenny Rovers
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