Glenavon striker David McDaid admits he had a “chip on his shoulder” after his move to Mourneview Park in the summer.
The 33-year-old struggled for minutes at Ballymena United and Coleraine in recent years, but is the Lurgan Blues’ top scorer with four goals in all competition.
Glenavon are unbeaten in nine games in all competitions and take on Irish Premiership leaders Ballymena United at Mourneview Park on Saturday.
“It’s been a breath of fresh air and I’m really enjoying being back on the pitch,” said McDaid, who said the atmosphere in the changing room at club was “phenomenal”.
“At times last year you would think in your head, ‘I’m getting on a bit here, might I pack it in?’.
“At the same time you have that chip on your shoulder where you want to prove a point.
“That’s what my aim was this year, to show I can still play at 33. I still feel like I have a bit left in me yet.”
McDaid struck an injury-time winner on Saturday in the first Mid-Ulster derby of the season with Portadown.
Having played in the derby for the first time, McDaid admitted he was surprised by how fierce a rivalry it is.
“I didn’t realise how big that derby was, or how important it was to both clubs and the fans.
“It was nearly like a cup final atmosphere.”