FOOTBALL: Big week for 40-goal Patterson

The 40-goal hitman has made a huge impact on the Irish League this season and bore the brunt of the Coleraine fans anger following his decision to sign a pre-contract agreement with Glentoran.

But it seems his efforts on the pitch for the Bannsiders are set to be rewarded with the Strabane man hotly tipped to be named the league's Player of the Year award.

And on top of that Patterson looks to be a shoe-in to be named in Nigel Worthington's squad for the summer tour to America, where Northern Ireland will face Turkey and Chile.

Worthington confirmed at the weekend that he is hoping to take a number of local stars with him to the States depending on the response from the senior squad members.

"We are currently doing a sweep of players to establish who is and who isn't available," he said.

"I'm resigned to going without many of our senior and most experienced pros, but that doesn't concern me. Obviously though I'd prefer to be going out there with our strongest squad."

Patterson would clearly jump at the chance to represent his country again after impressing for Northern Ireland in the friendly defeat to Albania in Tirana last month.

And with the prospect of a move back to England still in the pipeline the former FC United striker said it would crown a fantastic season for him.

"There's no doubt it would be a fantastic end to the season for me," he said.

"I never dreamed that I would get the chance before the Albania game, so if I get another chance I'll be absolutely made up."

Patterson's boss, David Platt, believes the striker deserves recognition for his efforts this season. But Platt was quick to point out that his team-mates deserve a lot of credit too.

"There's no doubt about it Rory has grabbed the limelight for his performances this season, and probably rightly so," he said.

"But I think the rest of the players and the management deserve a lot of credit too for what they have done for him this season.

"Did anyone really know who he was before he came here? I don't think so. We gave him a great platform to perform on and helped him achieve what he has done."

Platt leads his depleted side to Distillery on Saturday, where he will be without the services of Darren Boyce, who was sent off at Institute on Friday night.

"I don't think the referee showed a lot of common sense to be honest," said Platt. "Darren was sent off for swearing but it was going on all night so there needs to be more consistency.

"It's a disappointing end for Darren after what's been a great season for him. I was delighted he was named the website Player of the Year.

"He's been superb for us all year and I believe that there's even more to come from him.

"It's also nice for a local lad to pick up these sort of awards as sometimes their efforts get overlooked."

Boyce has the chance to pick up even more silverware at this Saturday night's Garvagh, Kilrea and District SC Awards Night in the Lodge Hotel.

The Player of the Year honour and the Times Sport sponsored Players' Player of the Year gong are the two main awards which the players will be vying for.

Dessie Dickson is the guest of honour along with BBC NI's Grant Cameron.

Tickets are still available from Stevenson's Mace, Kilrea, Coleraine FC Social Club, Hunter McClelland or Tom Topping.

Meanwhile the shirt sponsors event will be held in the Social Club this Thursday night at 8pm.