McCauley signs new deal with Bannsiders

The silky midfielder, who scored the equaliser against Glentoran on Saturday, has committed his future to the Bannsiders for the next two seasons.

Coleraine boss Oran Kearney is delighted McCauley sees his future at The Showgrounds. “It’s great news for us that Darren wants to commit his future to Coleraine,” said Kearney.

“He’s coming 24 and along with the likes of Ruairi Harkin is coming into his prime. Darren is really enjoying his football here, and it was great to see him score an important goal for us last Saturday as he has had a tough few months with injury.

“We were delighted to welcome him back to the club in August as we never wanted Darren to leave in the first place, but we understood his reasons as he wanted to be nearer home.

“But since he has come in he has settled straight away and he feels at home in these surroundings. It’s a major boost for us all that he see his future he at Coleraine.”

McCauley admitted it has been tough to keep going after picking up the niggling injuries this season, but paid tribute to Kearney and the rest of the squad for their support along the way.

“It’s been a tough road back but I was determined to get through it and repay Coleraine’s faith in me,” he said.

“Oran believes in me and that means so much. I had that incentive to keep working hard on the road to recovery as well as incredible support from the rest of the squad.

“I feel really good at Coleraine and now I want to kick on now.”

Kearney is keen to complete his contract negotiations with current squad members over the next couple of weeks.

“We are speaking with all the players who are nearing the end of their contracts and we are hopeful of more positive news for the club,” he said. “I plan to have it all sorted out over the next couple of weeks so we know where we are with the squad for next season.”