OK – ‘Experience got us over the line’

COLERAINE boss Oran Kearney acknowledged that his side’s performance against Banbridge Town was ‘agricultural at times’ as the Bannsiders sealed a spot in the quarter-final of the Irish Cup…

A first-half goal from Aaron Canning and a brace from substitute Emmett McGuckin ensured that the Stripes would reach the quarter-final stage for a fourth successive year.

With injury, suspension and ineligibility issues affecting his squad, Kearney was forced to field six defenders on the pitch and he admitted he would have liked more ‘attacking flair’ against Stuart King’s side.

The fixture also presented the opportunity for Academy graduates Caolan Brennan and Lewis Nevin to get some game time, which Kearney labelled as ‘invaluable’.

The boss was also pleased with the impact of McGuckin and revealed post-match that the club won’t rush January signing Curtis Allen back into action as the striker recently returned from injury.