Coleraine boss Oran Kearney says it was a no brainer to hand influential - and evergreen - midfielder Stephen Lowry a new contract extension with the club.
Lowry, who was named in the Uhlsport Irish League team of the year earlier today, has penned a new one year deal to keep him at the Showgrounds next season.
It is a fitting reward for the 34-year-old who rejoined Coleraine for a second spell in 2018 after returning to the Ballycastle Road club from Linfield.
Lowry scored five goals last season and helped the Bannsiders secure a runners-up finish in the Danske Bank Premiership and qualification for the Europa Conference League.
“I am delighted with the agreement and despite Stevie being 34-years-old, he plays like a 24-year-old and has always been in good shape,” Kearney told the Coleraine website.
“Not only that, but he is a great professional, a great leader and a great person.
“He arguably just had his best season in a Coleraine shirt and managed to play 44 games within a tight schedule, which just shows his commitment.
“The contract was signed and sealed in January and the negotiations were easy done, but both parties wanted to get the season out of the way before announcing it.”
The new one year deal means Lowry is likely to surpass 300 appearances for the club.
Earlier this season, Kearney revealed that Lowry is still weighing in at the same weight he was when he first played for Coleraine in his first spell with the club between 2010 and 2014.
He said: “I’ve weighed the players monthly during my 10 years at Coleraine and I’ve sheets in my office from 10 years ago.
“Before Stephen left here to go to Linfield (in 2014), when he was in his prime at 25 or 26 years old, he weighted 12st 8lbs.
“He’s just turned 34 and he is still weighing in at 12st 8lbs which is a real credit to him. He has a phenomenal attitude to his football and he’s also a phenomenal leader.”
