Kearney: ‘It was a great response from the players’

COLERAINE manager Oran Kearney speaks to the media after watching his side comfortably defeat Ards at The Showgrounds…

The Bannsiders recovered from their first defeat of the season to register all three points against Colin Nixon’s men – which delighted boss Kearney.

“I think it was panic stations all around the country apart from our changing room after Saturday’s game,” Kearney said.

“We spoke after the game against Linfield and said we had lost three points, but the same three points were available tonight and it was important to pick those up.

“It wasn’t just about the three points though, all season we have been good at producing for 90 minutes and playing for big parts of the game.

“Tonight from the word go we were on the money, we sustained that and kept it going for the whole game.

“It’s a great response from the guys and to get the three points.”

Kearney was quick to congratulate Martin Smith for his first goal in Coleraine colours and believes he is beginning to find his feet in the Irish League.

“Big Gareth has weighed in with a couple of good goals from two great deliveries, and a great strike from Josh, but it was pleasing to see Martin get off the mark,” Kearney added.

“He is a good footballer. Martin arrived here mid-season and he was lacking probably two or three weeks of games that people had had.

“We organised a couple of friendlies and a couple of Under-20 games to rush him through 90 minutes safely.

“I didn’t want to just throw him in and there be an expectation on him and people judging him when he wasn’t match fit.

“He played on Saturday and I thought he did very well, and tonight he went up another level again.”

Coleraine will turn their attentions to this weekend’s clash against Crusaders, and Kearney is expecting a bumper crowd on the Ballycastle Road.

“Our victory at Seaview came a few months ago but since then Crusaders have really hit form, they probably are the form team in the league at present.

“Over the last five or six weeks they have really hit the ground running. They are scoring goals from all over the pitch too by the sounds of it.

“We will have our worked cut out to get something from the game, but in saying that we’re happy where we are at this point in time.

“There’s a real buzz about this game. It’s like the couple of games we’ve had earlier this season, you’re rubbing your hands looking forward to it.

“If you want to play Irish League football Saturday is what it’s all about.

“We had a great crowd here for the Linfield game and we want another big one on Saturday.”