The 38-year-old driving Limavady's promotion push

Lowry had spells with Linfield and Coleraine in the Irish Premiership

"He is probably the best player I have ever played with. There is no fluke he is still playing at 38 years of age."

Limavady United manager Paul Owens' face lights up when he talks about his former team-mate and now his team's captain Stephen Lowry.

Midfielder Lowry has enjoyed a distinguished Irish Premiership career with both Linfield and Coleraine.

He won a Gibson Cup and Irish Cup with the Blues, whilst he picked up a League Cup with the Bannsiders, as well as making over 370 appearances over two spells for the club.

Now, back for his third spell with his hometown club after signing in the summer, Lowry is leading the club's push for back-to-back promotions as they seek to reach the top flight.

'I made him captain straight away'

Lowry played in Limavady's famous Irish Cup win against Larne

Owens' side are second in the Championship, six points behind leaders Bangor and Lowry has been virtually ever-present for the league's surprise package this season.

He also featured when they knocked Irish Premiership champions Larne out of the Irish Cup fifth round after extra-time and when they were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Crusaders at the next stage.

"He's 38 and has played every game bar one, I made him captain straight away when he came in and he takes a lot of pressure off me as well in terms of managing the players," Owens said.

Having played with and then coached Lowry at Coleraine, Owens is not surprised that he is still going strong given how professional he is.

"The way he looks after himself, he knows his body, he does the gym work and yoga, he wouldn't be a big drinker, he has set a really good example and that is how you find the consistency on the pitch and be able to keep playing.

"We manage him well training wise, the odd Tuesday maybe he does his own thing or a sample of the session but every Saturday, his performance levels have been great.

"His experience has helped us over the line in so many games."

'He will be here as long as he wants to be'

It is Lowry's influence on and off the pitch which Owens believes has really helped to drive professional standards at the club, who won the Premier Intermediate League last year to reach the Championship.

"I know the respect he demands, and the younger players are learning so much from him," Owens added.

"He has been fabulous for us and Coleraine; I think you would struggle to find a better man in the changing room over the last 25 years than Stevie."

After suffering with a number of injuries during his last two seasons at Coleraine, Lowry was part of Oran Kearney's coaching staff, a route he may look to explore when his playing days are over.

However, Owens maintains that Lowry still has a couple more years left of playing in him before he hangs up his boots.

"He's signed on for next year and Stevie is the type of player who, if he feels himself drop off will probably call it a day.

"Those decisions won't be made by me, but he will be here as long as he wants to be, hopefully that is two or three years down the line but I'm sure he will have a big role in the Irish league in the future."