Kearney: ‘We have showed a different side to our game in recent weeks’

COLERAINE manager Oran Kearney shares his thoughts after the Bannsiders defeated Glentoran at The Showgrounds…

The home side took advantage of a strong wind and led 2-0 at interval thanks to strikes from Ian Parkhill and Darren McCauley, before Jamie McGonigle added a late third on the counter attack as Glentoran searched for a way back into the match.

The result left Kearney happy with his side’s performance and believes his players are able to win when it might not be pretty on the eye.

“The wind this week has dried the pitch out a bit and it meant the surface wasn’t as slick as you’d want,” Kearney said.

“When you add a gale force wind that is going straight down the pitch, it makes it even tougher.

“I thought how we managed the first-half in particular was brilliant.

“I was a bit disappointed with the first half hour of the second-half as we could have shown more composure and been a bit wiser with some of our decisions.

“I think they are all getting that understanding that there is different ways of picking up victories.

“In the last two weeks we have showed a different side to us that we will need if we want to keep picking up points.”

Kearney was quick to heap praise on goalkeeper Chris Johns who managed to keep a clean sheet despite Glentoran pressing for a goal in the second-half.

“We had a couple of scares and there was one where Chris Johns lost the flight of the ball in the light and then at the last minute he saw it and made a fantastic save,” Kearney added.

“I thought Chris from corners was brilliant as he came and caught the ball and our back four and midfield dug in really well.

“It was a good victory as we pride in our home record at The Showgrounds.”

The manager admits his players are always learning and believes the game would have been buried on the hour mark if Jamie McGonigle squared the ball to either Joe McCready or Darren McCauley.

“Jamie has hit the bar and also another opportunity where he chose to shoot from a tight angle with two players inside the area,” Kearney revealed.

“He assured me it bobbled and sat up, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

“Not that I had a go at him, but on the hour mark, after weathering the storm that’s the guilt-edged chance to make it 3-0 and game over.”

The result means the Bannsiders lead the Danske Bank Premiership by five points, and Kearney insists his players have kicked-on from last season’s terrific campaign.

“I think over the past few years we have become stronger as a team,” Kearney said.

“It’s important we continue to move forward and it’s more an expectation rather than hope.

“Our new signings and the European trip have helped us and we are seeing the effects of that now.”