Kearney salutes players after hard fought victory

COLERAINE boss Oran Kearney reflects after watching side defeat Ballinamallard United 2-1 at The Showgrounds…

After a scoreless first-half, the Stripes took the lead through an own goal from Colm McLoughlin, before Joe McCready fired home after a great pass from Josh Carson.

Despite having chances to kill the game off, the visitors grabbed themselves a lifeline when defender Matthew Smyth headed home, but Kearney’s men held firm to move eight points clear in the Danske Bank Premiership.

“The game was everything I expected it to be and that’s why I showed a little bit of emotion at full-time because people write teams like Ballinamallard off due to their league position,” Kearney said.

“To be honest, I have probably spent more time preparing for this game than I have the previous three.

“These are the banana skins that can very quickly slip from below you.

“It took Crusaders until 70 minutes to break them down and it shows you they are no mugs.

“We had a fair idea of how hard it was going to be and it proved that way.

“Every three points is massive and it is just brilliant to get that result.”

The Bannsiders started the second-half brightly and scored two goals within 10 minutes of the restart, but Kearney stresses his players didn’t receive the famous hairdryer treatment at half-time.

“For the first-time this season I sensed a little angst and frustration within the squad at half-time,” Kearney revealed.

“They maybe go soft and buy what people have been saying to them about just turning up tonight and it will be an easy victory.

“We’ve won plenty of games in 45 minutes so I just said to the boys we’ve 45 minutes here, let’s go and win the game and, thankfully, we kicked on from there.”

The manager heaped praise on Jamie McGonigle and Ciaron Harkin for their energetic performances towards the end as the Stripes clinched all three points.

“When you play three games in a week it is a challenge and at times the football can be free flowing, or at times you have to manage it,” Kearney acknowledged.

“We are disappointed with the goal we conceded because I thought we were very sound defensively.

“As much as they had the ball in our half at times, I can’t remember Chris having a lot to do.

“There was one set piece were we switched off and it gave them something to go for in the last 15 minutes.

“But I thought Jamie McGonigle when we went one upfront and Ciaron Harkin in behind provided us with more energy.

“It allowed us to press up the pitch and give us a break at the back.”

Kearney was impressed by how his players managed the game out as Coleraine earned a victory over Gavin Dykes’ men which means they have beaten every team this season.

“Bar the goal they scored, I thought we managed the last 15 minutes well,” Kearney told the press.

“We were smart about how we used the ball and we kept it in good areas.

“I think at times like that it’s not about chasing a third goal, but using your head.

“For example, at the weekend in the Premier League, West Ham’s Mikhail Antonio tried to be a hero and get a third goal and 20 seconds later the ball is in the net and it’s a draw.

“You have to learn their lessons and make sure you do it right.”