Kearney: ‘Bradley has that in the locker’

ORAN Kearney was delighted to see his players keep the chase on leaders Crusaders as Eoin Bradley’s second-half strike sealed all three points against Dungannon Swifts…

Coleraine manager Oran Kearney admitted he was ‘delighted’ at securing a victory at Stangmore Park as Coleraine bounced back from two successive draws in the Danske Bank Premiership.

“We are delighted with the victory,” Kearney said.

“The two recent games we’ve played Dungannon have gone to the wire and been tough encounters.

“We knew exactly what to expect this week and how tough a battle it would be and it proved that.

“Credit to our lads who showed that little bit of steel and mentality and we stayed in the game long enough for that little bit of brilliance.

“We got that through Eoin and it’s a pleasant three points.”

Kearney was quick to heap praise on Bradley for his match winning contribution and revealed the striker was on the bench as a protection after coming back from a lengthy injury.

“Skinner has that in the locker,” Kearney added.

“I thought I had to be fair to him as he’s put so much work into his rehab that he’s back months before schedule.

“With that, he is still lacking some match fitness. As much as he is a massive player for us, we have to protect him.

“I thought it would have been unfair to ask him to play another 90 minutes after being out for so long, but I think what ammunition it is to bring him on with half an hour to go to change the game.

“I thought his presence helped us to get up the pitch and the finish was brilliant.”

Kearney was able to field a strong bench and call upon Darren McCauley, Ian Parkhill and Eoin Bradley to turn the game in the Bannsiders’ favour. The manager believes his squad is as strong as he’s had during his tenure at The Showgrounds.

“I said as part of the team talk that I don’t think in the seven years that I’ve been here we’ve had such a strong bench,” Kearney revealed.

“I think that’s testament to the club and where we are at in this point of time.

“We know it’s a squad game and not just the starting eleven as I think the substitutes gave us a lift and helped us over the line.”

With two weeks remaining in the January transfer window, Kearney insists his door will always remain open for arrivals.

“We are always keen to do business until the window closes,” Kearney continued.

“We have always said that January has been a good month for us in terms of recruitment.

“We will continue to look for players for the club, but there aren’t that many out there.”