Gerry Flynn has thrown down a challenge - not to his side, board or today’s opponents Lisburn Distillery, no, the gauntlet has been tossed at Soccer AM presenter Helen Chamberlain.

Her comments that the local game was football like it was 20 years ago ruffled a few feathers and after Newry City’s success over Ballymena United on Monday night’s Sky offering, Flynn is hungry for more air-time.

“I think she was talking about the tackles in the Linfield and Cliftonville game, but the boys were having a go at me on Saturday night to have a wee go back,” he smiled.

“It’s a programme I’ve watched for the past 13 years so I’ll be watching it again on Saturday and hopefully they’ll get us on the Crossbar Challenge.”

Before that though comes the rather more serious challenge of the Whites at the Showgrounds.

A home win would see the resurgent Bordermen leapfrog the visitors, with Flynn feeling that they are finally getting the results their displays have merited.

“We haven’t been getting the points that our performances have deserved, with too many draws, and if you had turned two or three of those into wins, we’d be up in around second or third place,” he explained.

“We jumped two places on Monday to get us into the top six and it’s only ourselves that can knock us out of that, and if we can put together a run of three of four wins the league is wide open this year.

“We want to be in the top six and we’ll keep plugging away and see where it takes us.”

Certainly with the twin goal threat of Chris Morgan and Stephen Garrett on fire at present, there should be plenty to keep the Whites’ defenders on their toes today.

“Strikers thrive on goals, in the first cup game against Ards I rested Stephen and Chris got three goals, and the both of them played in the second leg and got a goal apiece, and they both scored again at Ballymena,” he continued.

“Chris is an old fox, he’s been about for a long time, while Stephen is the young buck with loads of pace and they’re doing well together.

“Distillery mugged us up at their place; a wonder goal from Gary Browne in the 94th minute, and we’ll be looking pay-back on Saturday.

“Our destiny is in our own hands and if we keep winning then we’ll stay in the top six.

“Over the last month the boys commitment, dedication and mental strength has been good, since we had a showdown after the Bangor game.”

The next showdown may well be with Ms. Chamberlain.