Marty Haveron is hoping the capture of Stephen “Rambo” Hughes can provide the spark which fires Rathfriland to glory this season.
The former Newry and Warrenpoint Town ace followed goalkeeper Jonathan Parr to the Whites last month, ramping up the ex-Irish League contingent at Iveagh Park, with the likes of Haveron, Andy Kilmartin and Ross Black already there.
And he was on target at the weekend alongside two-goal Haveron as Aaron Black’s men ousted Tullycarnet 4-2 in the Border Cup.
At 33 years of age, this could well be Rambo’s last club and Haveron is hoping his old Newry teammate can be the missing piece in the puzzle as he sets his sights on the Border and Bob Radcliffe cups.
“Jonny Parr is a massive signing and Stephen Hughes has come in, two very good players, and even the experience they have as well coming in has helped a lot,” said Haveron.
“We had a bad start in the league, we dropped a few points early on, but since the cups have started we definitely have picked it up and now we’re eyeing a few cup runs.
“So as the season goes, it’s not that we’re forgetting about the league but for now and the next few weeks it’s all about cups and hopefully getting to a Christmas final.”
Haveron believes manager Aaron Black is going about things the right way by signing the proven quality of the likes of keeper Jonathan Parr and forward Hughes.
“We’ve made a few good signings and it took it a few weeks into the season before we got them, but Jonny Parr is a massive signing and Stephen Hughes has come in, two very good players and even the experience they have as well coming in has helped a lot,” said Haveron.
"And apart from that, it’s just about keeping everyone fit. The first few games when we dropped points, I don’t want to put out excuses but we did have a few boys missing, John Scannell got married and myself and Andy Kilmartin were out for a couple of weeks.
“So it’s like everything, you need everyone out there and fit.”
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