Sport

Coleraine manager Oran Kearney looking for a little less drama

Coleraine manager Oran Kearney during todays game at the Coleraine showgrounds. Picture by Pacemaker Press
Coleraine manager Oran Kearney during todays game at the Coleraine showgrounds. Picture by Pacemaker Press Coleraine manager Oran Kearney during todays game at the Coleraine showgrounds. Picture by Pacemaker Press

COLERAINE are quickly establishing themselves as the team to watch when it comes to drama in the Irish League, but manager Oran Kearney would trade it all for a boring 1-0 win at Ards this afternoon.

The Bannsiders have found themselves 2-0 down in their last two league matches, but they battled back in both to secure draws with Glenavon and Ballymena United.

“It might have been exciting for everyone else, but it hasn’t been exciting for me,” said Kearney.

“I wouldn’t want to be putting in any more weeks like the last couple.”

Kearney believes that they experienced plenty of luck, both good and bad, across those two games.

“It’s been crazy but it’s been two different types of crazy.

“I think in the Glenavon game our performance warranted the goals and we deserved to get something out of the game.

“Ballymena was different; it was robbery for want of a better description.

“Yes, you can talk about swings and roundabouts and I remember Ballymena doing that to us a few years ago, but I don’t think we deserved anything out of the game.”

After their eye-catching start to the season when they took 10 points from a possible 12, Ards have tailed off a bit, but a 3-1 victory over Carrick Rangers last weekend ensures that they remain above Coleraine in the table.

Kearney was quick to praise the work being done by their manager Niall Currie.

“I know Niall well and he is doing a fantastic job,” he said.

“He’s made a seamless transition from the Championship to the premier division.

“I don’t think anyone within the game is too shocked either about how they’re getting on.

“I felt that they recruited very well in the summer and I think that showed in that initial flurry of games.

“We know how tough it’s going to be down there and the key for me is righting last week, we have to go and get a performance.”

Elsewhere, Cliftonville will attempt to pick themselves off the floor following their collapse away to Crusaders last week when they host Carrick at Solitude.

Gerard Lyttle’s side led 3-0 after 61 minutes but still somehow found themselves on the losing side as Crusaders staged a remarkable comeback to win 4-3.

This is a golden chance to bounce back though as they face a Rangers side that have to be low on confidence after losing their last six league games.

Glentoran will go in search of their first home league win since the opening day of the season when Ballinamallard United make their way to The Oval.

Gary Haveron’s reign got off to a disappointing start as the side went down 2-1 to Belfast rivals Linfield last weekend, but there were signs of improvement.

Ballinamallard enter the match as one of the form teams in the league having won three of their last four games.

Today’s other game will see Dungannon hosting Portadown and the Swifts could move into the top six with a win, as long as Coleraine and Cliftonville fail to take all three points in their respective fixtures.

Pat McGibbon’s Portadown side have again had off-field distractions to deal with this week as the Irish Football Association failed to reach a verdict on their appeal of the 12-point deduction and suspension from all football related activity handed down to them back in June.