Premier title is 'Rathfriland's to throw away' insists Joe McNeill

Joe McNeill has heaped praise on Rathfriland, insisting they are worthy heirs to Crumlin Star’s throne should they go on and wrap up the Premier Division.

Despite suffering a shock to the system on Saturday as they went down 5-0 at Derriaghy, Ally Wilson’s men remain many people’s favourites for the title, lying four points off Star but with five games in hand, and six points off the East but with seven games in hand over the current league leaders.

And after seeing the Whites up close and personal when losing 2-1 at Iveagh Park last Tuesday night, McNeill believes they are the real deal.

Derriaghy skipper Curtis Bown keeping title powder dry ahead of run-in

In fact, he reckons their front three of Adam Neale, Ruairi Fitzpatrick and Lee Newell are as good a strikeforce as he’s faced in his long and decorated career in the Amateur League.

And picking up on Newell in particular, the man who plays through the middle, McNeill believes bigger and better things could await the frontman.

“I think it’s Rathfriland’s to throw away, 100 per cent, and their front three are brilliant,” said the Star man.

“They really are, the front three are up there with the best I’ve seen in the league since I’ve been playing in it, they are that good.

“They are the best front three Crumlin Star have played against anyway, three crackers, and the big lad through the middle, he’s a handful, he’s an animal, a great player.

“I can’t see him playing at this level for too long, I don’t understand why a bottom six Irish League club wouldn’t want a player like that in their team.

“He has speed and power, he’s everything you need.”

After romping the top flight the last three years it was played to a conclusion, the fact the destination of the title is