“Quality of training has went up a level” – OK

COLERAINE boss Oran Kearney believes training at The Showgrounds has helped his side improve their performances as they bagged all three points against Warrenpoint Town…

The Bannsiders moved up to third in the Danske Bank Premiership yesterday afternoon as Matthew Shevlin’s deadly double was enough to overcome Barry Gray’s side at The Showgrounds.

Despite the visitors going into the contest with only one league win to date, Kearney admits his players couldn’t take their focus off the challenge in hand as Shevlin netted in both halves.

“It was a good, solid performance,” Kearney told Coleraine TV after the game.

“People can say all they want about Warrenpoint being bottom of the league and everything else, but I know there has been a huge amount of investment in that club and they have a lot of quality players coming up from the South.

“Not only that, they have signed a couple of players from Larne and other well known players in the league, so when you looked at their team sheet today it was very strong.

“I will argue with anybody that it’s not just a simple matter of turning up and picking up three points and that was the case today.

“We had to work hard, we had to graft for it and overall it was a solid performance and a good three points.

“I think we have two or three other chances to make it 3-0 and if one of those go in, you could probably relax a bit more.

“Shevy was unlucky to not have got a hat trick and we had a couple disallowed for offside which I thought were dubious.

“Lyndon was adamant that his cross was a square pass for Bushy’s one in the first-half and Shevlin’s was good movement and a good header which was unfortunate.

“We’ve had to stay tight, take the 2-0 and we are delighted with it.”

The Bannsiders made a quick start to the game as Shevlin lobbed Conor Mitchell after just six minutes, with Kearney pointing out that the training qualities have improved since the synthetic surface was installed on the Ballycastle Road.

“It was really important to start the game well,” he added.

“The players have trained really well since we have come onto the pitch and we are now based here.

“Training has definitely went up a level or two and the quality of training has gone up again and hopefully we are starting to see that in performances as well.

“It’s been frustrating being away from home for so long and we are dying to get a run of games on this pitch.

“Today I think was a good insight into that in relation to I think some of the stuff we played over both halves was really good.”

After playing the majority of their league games on the road, Kearney is hopeful his troops can take advantage of home comforts as Portadown make the trip to the North Coast next weekend.

“We will get back to training this week and we will get the heads down to look for a similar performance,” he continued.

“We’ve played ten league games; seven away and now three at home so I think we’re due a home match or two.

“Credit to the lads, we’ve done well away from home and picked up a decent amount of points but it’s now important that we capitalise on run of home games.”