Kearney pleased to earn a point at Solitude

COLERAINE manager Oran Kearney admits he was pleased to see his side earn a share of the spoils at Solitude…

The 10 men were arguably second-best for the majority of the game, but some resolute defending was the catalyst to earning a draw against Barry Gray’s men – much to Kearney’s satisfaction.

“I am very pleased to have earned a point,” Kearney said.

“Cliftonville are a tough team to face at the best of times, particularly at home, and their record at Solitude speaks for itself.

“We got a win up here earlier in the season, but we lacked the numbers and quality today.

“We were without Darren McCauley and Brad Lyons, as well as Adam Mullan who could only make the bench.

“Coming here depleted as we were, there are certain days were you go for the kill to earn three points, but there’s other days were you look at it as a good point.

“When you look at the other results, we have gained a point on Glenavon and Linfield, so the only team who has done better than us are Crusaders.

“I would have taken that result at the start of the day.”

Kearney was frustrated with the decision to send Aaron Traynor off and admits the Stripes struggled without midfield duo Darren McCauley and Brad Lyons.

“We spoke to the players about getting a quick start because we felt Barry Gray’s words through the week would either have a positive or negative effect,” Kearney added.

“We thought if we could score first, those words could have maybe had a detrimental effect.

“Skinner had a chance after a minute and if that goes in, it would have been a shot in the arm for us and a negative one for them.

“The legs in our midfield are so important and Brad Lyons has become a massive player for us and I think the last two games is a fine indication of that.

“Darren McCauley has been our standout player this season with 12 goals, so if you go to Crusaders and take out Paul Heatley and Gavin Whyte, it would have an impact.

“I felt we didn’t get the rub of the green at times and the decisions were questionable. I don’t know how Aaron Traynor got a straight red as the ball is running out of play.

“It’s a foul and probably a yellow card, but is it a definitive goalscoring opportunity?

“We had one against Ballinamallard a few weeks ago when Brad Lyons dribbled past the defender and got taken out when he was in possession. The defender gets a yellow card and it’s hard to take.”

February will mark Kearney’s 7th year as Coleraine manager and he insists this season has been the ‘most enjoyable’ to date as the Stripes enter 2018 at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership.

“Next month I’ll be manager of Coleraine for seven years and this season has been the easiest, most enjoyable season to date as boss,” Kearney revealed.

“Since August everything has felt like a dream.

“The boys have been brilliant this year, but with the ride we have been on, the results, the position in the table, the hype, the euphoria and the fans, it has just been brilliant.

“I keep encouraging the players to ride the wave and let’s keep up there.

“It’s been brilliant and we want to keep driving on.”

Kearney has been quick to add to the Bannsiders’ ranks in January with the acquisition of winger Stephen Dooley, and the boss insists he will monitor further arrivals.

“There are no potential incomings at the minute,” Kearney continued.

“We are low in numbers at this moment in time, but we’re happy with the quality we have.

“The January window has always been a good one for me, we generally do good business and we’ll keep our eyes open.”