Match Reaction

Kearney rues missed opportunities

COLERAINE boss Oran Kearney believes the inspired performance of Larne goalkeeper Conor Devlin was the reason why his side failed to register all three points at Inver Park…

The Bannsiders trailed to an early goal from Davy McDaid, but turned the game on its head to lead at half-time through goals from Eoin Bradley and Josh Carson. After Devlin made a vital stop to deny James McLaughlin after the break, the hosts would level through Mark Randall’s close range finish, before Devlin was on hand once again to deny Bradley from close range on 87 minutes.

Kearney heaped praise on his side for responding to the early setback and believes both sets of players deserve credit for an entertaining game in difficult conditions.

There were emotional scenes as Larne and Coleraine paid tribute to Jerry Thompson prior to kick-off and Kearney stated that the sadness of his passing away has had a major affect across the Irish League on a whole.

The Stripes were able to welcome back Stephen O’Donnell from injury, with Kearney giving an injury update on Lyndon Kane, Adam Mullan, Aaron Jarvis, Stephen Lowry and Jamie Glackin.