'The players respect him and they take on board everything he says' as Rainey appoint Tim Barker as the club's new head coach

Tim Barker is the new head coach at Rainey

The Magherafelt club flirted with relegation in Division 2B of the All Ireland League last season, winning five games and losing 13 as they finished seventh.

That prompted a review and a change of structures at the club with Barker replacing former Italian international Ian McKinley in the hot seat.

Former Rainey winger Nicholas Stirling comes in as backs coach and the club has already singled their intentions by recruiting four new players behind the pack.

Local businessman Bobby Carmichael takes over as chairman, Brian Smith returns as Director of Rugby after taking a year out, while club stalwart Arnold McLean comes in as president.

With the new blood and fresh impetus driving the club forward, McLean is optimistic for a big season on and off the pitch in Magherafelt.

“We made the decision to change our head coach and after a few interviews we have decided to appoint Tim Barker,” stated McLean.

“Tim is a very good people person, he is a very good mixer with people and a very good mixer with the players.

“The players respect him and they take on board everything he says.

“Tim has played with all the players, he put on the boots three times last year and got man of the match twice at 42-years-old.

“He didn’t intend on playing but we had injuries and had no other options, he gave it a go against Harlequins and his old club Dungannon and he was the best player on the field.

“Tim will bring in a far more professional approach and help with recruitment.

“We are a close-knit club and the more we can get the likes of Tim and Nicholas to come back the better.”

Barker has a wealth of experience in his playing career as the second row had three stints at Ulster, winning over 40 caps in the process.

He had a spell at the Glasgow Warriors and also played in France at Castres. After retiring from the professional ranks he played AIL rugby for Rainey.

With the changes McLean wants, the Old Boys plan to make an assault on the summit of Division 2B.

There is plenty of experience in the team as former Ulster prop Tommy O’Hagan will be a key component in the pack, while McLean’s son Scott, a versatile back division player, reached the landmark of 100 AIL appearances at the back end of last season.

To prepare for the upcoming season Rainey are heading to Scotland.

“The club is moving on big time and we are definitely aiming for top four at least," added McLean.

"There are four Ulster teams in our league; Clogher Valley, Dungannon, Malone and ourselves.

“The Ulster derbies are the best days in the club.

“We have arranged a short tour in August to go over and play Glasgow Hawks.

“Tim was affiliated with the Hawks when he was at Glasgow Warriors but he never actually played for them but was in their club and took lineout sessions and helped out on occasions, so we’ll go over there to play them and help team bonding.”

New chairman Bobby Carmichael wants to increase the links between the club and the wider community in Magherafelt.

“Bobby’s ambition is to make us a community club, the boys and girls and going to be going into supermarkets and packing bags, they will be lifting litter around the town with their Rainey kit on them, things like that he really wants to install in the club,” added McLean.