Coalisland Athletic family affair reaping reward in Division One

David Magee admits he had to get permission from his two sons before accepting the manager’s position at Coalisland Athletic.

Magee stepped into the hot-seat last summer and the family affair has reaped rewards this season.

Saturday’s 5-0 win over Lurgan BBOB saw Coalisland leapfrog Annalong and Newmills into top spot in Division One.

PJ Lavery bagged a hat-trick while Shea Rankin claimed a brace to make it eight league wins on the bounce.

Magee believes the camaraderie of his squad makes Coalisland a force to be reckoned with this season, a panel of players that includes his sons Daryl (27) and Ciaran (20).

“This is my first season in charge and I am loving it,” Magee told Match on Tuesday.

“We have a good squad here. All the lads have worked so hard and are buying into what we want to achieve.

“And my two sons are also in the squad. I had to ask their permission to manage the team at the start of the year.

“They might not want their dad shouting at them on the sidelines.”

Coalisland now lead an ultra-competitive Division One, with the top six sides separated by just three points.

The club last won the league in 2018/19, and Magee is determined to lead them all the way this season.

Unfortunately promotion is unlikely even if Coalisland win the title, as their home ground is not yet up to standard to host games at a higher level.

“We don’t have the proper facilities to move up a league,” Magee said.

“Plans are under way and hopefully we can sort things out. A few of the proposals have fallen through in the past and it is deeply frustrating.

“We know we are capable of playing at a higher level, but we need to upgrade our ground before we can do that.

“Just with the surroundings of our pitch it isn’t possible for us to