Kearney: ‘We had to work really hard to win the game’

ORAN Kearney gives his reaction to last Saturday’s derby win against Ballymena United as goals from Stephen O’Donnell and Jamie McGonigle earned the Bannsiders all three points…

The manager admitted he was relieved to see McGonigle score the second goal early in the second-half as he knew the home side would come out all guns blazing after the break.

“It felt comfortably uncomfortable if that makes any sense,” Kearney said.

“I don’t remember Ballymena having gilt-edged chances, but we still had to work really hard to win the game.

“When the second went in we had the feeling that it was going to be okay.

“I thought the first 10 minutes of the second half, Ballymena came out of the blocks really well.

“We had warned the players at half time, but we started the second half sloppily.

“But to be fair they had that period of pressure then we go up the pitch get one chance and it changes the game.

“I’m delighted because this one was always going to be the banana skin.

“It was our 90th anniversary dinner and I’m sure that was made lots of in the build up to go and spoil that.

“So to get the three points and keep moving forward is great.”

A lot has been made about the performances of the young players such as Brad Lyons and Jamie McGonigle, but Kearney believes they now have the experience to cope with the big matches.

“We are experienced now. That’s Brad Lyons’ eighth or ninth derby game now, Adam Mullan and Jamie McGonigle are in double figures,” Kearney added.

“We are at a point now where I’m not shocked by how they manage these games, because they should have the tools to do that if they don’t then they are not learning anything.

“I think last week’s performance was a good spring board coming into today.

“Ballymena are like us, it’s great to see two provincial sides on the up, we knew today was going to be really tough.”

The victory meant that the Bannsiders stretched their lead to four points at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership, but the manager is more focussed on his side’s results than the teams around them.

“We preach it to the boys all the time, all we can control is what we do out on the pitch,” Kearney revealed.

“If we start worrying about other team’s results and end up dropping points ourselves then it’s no use to us.

“It’s about looking after your own house and keeping that in order.

“We weren’t thinking about what else could happen around the country today, it was about us trying to win a game of football.”

Kearney was full of praise for Ciaron Harkin and Jamie McGonigle for their call-ups to the Northern Ireland Under-21 squad and believes it is ‘good for the league’ to have Irish Premiership representation.

“The two lads are greatly deserving of the opportunity, it would be unfair for us to play the games without them because they are two prominent players for us,” Kearney acknowledged.

“Everyone at the club is right behind them.

“It’s great for the league to have two players in the Under-21 squad.

“I’m not sure if Chris Johns is still the age or not, but if he is, I struggle to see any better out there in the league or at his age.

“I also thought Brad Lyons was the standout player on the pitch today. Brad still has a year at that level, but he must be knocking on the door.”

The boss also admitted he had full support for his brother, Liam, who has taken the management reins at Ballymoney United.

“I’ve spoken to Liam more in the last week than I have in the last three months!

“It’s great for him and Liam has always had aspirations to get into management, and Ballymoney is a club which has always been close to his heart.

“They aren’t in a good place at the minute and there’s a wee bit of pride there more than anything else.

“It’s great for him and it would be great if he could make a wee bit of progress there and get them back where they belong.”