‘On the money’ – OK

COLERAINE boss Oran Kearney was pleased to see his players ‘get up and running’ for the season after a 3-0 win against Carrick Rangers…

The Bannsiders went into the fixture on the back of two defeats against Larne and Cliftonville but goals from Conor McKendry and Matthew Shevlin (2) earned the visitors a first three points of the campaign at the Belfast Loughshore Hotel Arena.

Coleraine took the lead in fortunate circumstances as McKendry’s cross inadvertently turned into a shot and sailed over Neil Shields and into the back of the net, with Kearney thankful for a touch of lady luck.

“I think in any season the key thing is to get points and to get up and running,” he said.

“First two games have been frustrating and we had nothing to show for it – a lot of promise but no points on the board.

“Today was about making sure than no matter what that we got out with the points on the board which we did and the performance was on the money.

“It was Matthew that started the move and it was worked down to Conor.

“It’s one of those, I’d say he’s probably trying to cross it but sometimes you need that wee bit of luck to get you up and running and we’re glad that we got that.”

Carrick would be reduced to ten men before the break as Jim Ervin was dismissed for bringing down Shevlin when through on goal.

Kearney remarked that the striker was ‘a thorn’ in Carrick’s side all afternoon as he netted a brace after the half-time whistle.

“I think it’s one of the easier ones to call where there’s nobody near the two of them,” he added.

“To be fair to Matthew, I thought he was a thorn in their side all day.

“With his work-rate and his energy and his physicality he can be very hard to deal with and the red card was an example of it.

“He on the wrong side of Jim and when the tangle happened he’s through one on one.

“Matthew has been hard on himself.

“He had a couple of big chances against Larne, again he had a couple of good opportunities against Cliftonville as well.

“His overall play and energy and everything else has been brilliant.

“But he’s the first to tell me that great strikers are judged on goals and he wants to be scoring goals as well.

“So it’s been a promising start to the season for him and we’re delighted with his output so far and long may it continue.”

Kearney handed a first-team debut to Patrick Kelly after his promotion from the U20’s and the midfielder almost made it a day to remember by going close to scoring.

“At his age it’s about trying to manage his time on the pitch and you don’t get many opportunities like today to blood somebody in,” he concluded.

“So it was a nice opportunity for him.

“In flashes he was able to show what he’s all about and probably should have been on the score sheet.”