COLERAINE manager Oran Kearney is refusing to get carried away after his side came away from Seaview with all three points on Saturday to make it three wins from three in the new Danske Bank Premiership season.
Kearney’s men stunned Crusaders with two first-half goals from Eoin Bradley and Stephen O’Donnell and, despite having David Ogilby sent-off midway through the second-half, the Bannsiders managed to see the victory out.
The win against the Crues follows hot on the heels of an opening day victory away to Dungannon Swifts and a 2-0 win over Cliftonville last Tuesday. While their 100 per cent start comes on the back of their third-place finish last term, Kearney is refusing to get ahead of himself.
“There’s no highlights, we’re not getting carried away,” he said of their first win at Crusaders’ Shore Road home since 2010.
“It’s three points and a great three points; I think Crusaders away was the only game we hadn’t picked up three points [under Kearney’s management] and it’s been a long time coming, probably, for the club and myself. I suppose, it’s nice from a stats point of view to put that right but, apart from that, we’re just delighted to get off to a really good start and get the nine points from a possible nine and look forward to hopefully kicking on.”
The Bannsiders have shared the goal scoring duties around so far this season, with Ciaron Harkin, Ian Parkhill and O’Donnell netting against the Swifts, while Josh Carson and Jamie McGonigle bagged the goals that sunk Cliftonville.
Kearney has been encouraged by this attacking balance, particularly the contribution of centre-half O’Donnell: “I think it’s a necessity [sharing the goals],” he added.
“I think it’s unfair to put that burden on a couple of players. In particular, it’s nice to see people sharing the goals around. Stephen McDonnell has scored a couple from centre-half, which is something possibly we haven’t had in the past… and, if he could continue to do that, it would be great.”
After three games of the new season, Coleraine sit level on points with fellow pacesetters Glenavon and Linfield, but Kearney insists it is too early to set firm targets.
However, last season’s third place finish, may provide a good barometer of the club’s ambition: “We’d a real good season last year and I think, if we could match that, it would be a phenomenal achievement,” Kearney added.
“Anything more than that would be a real bonus. We’re seven days into the season and I know we’ve had three games and nine points in that, but there’s 35 other games to go. Listen, if we’re in that position in March/April time, I’ll be more than happy to talk about aspirations then.
“At the minute, our targets are a lot simpler and more short-term than that. We’re just happy with where we’re at and looking forward to the next one.”
