FOOTBALL: Kearney annoyed as missed opportunities prove costly

There looked to be only one outcome as the Bannsiders dominated proceedings in the opening 45 minutes.

The only thing their play lackedwas a goal. And they were hit with the ultimate sucker punch right on half time as Joe Gormley headed home the Reds first real oppotunity to give them an undeserved lead.

Things went from bad to worse after the restart as the visitors racked up another four goals with Paul Owens goal on 74 minutes the only bright point for the Bannsiders.

“As I’ve just said to the lads when you dominate games like the way we dominated the first half it’s a crime to come in level never mind behind,” Kearney told Times Sport after the game.

“Our first half performance was probably our best showing this season, bar additional time.

“I don’t say that lightly as I don’t think Cliftonville had an attempt on goal until stoppage time in that first 45 minutes.

“We had some really good opportunities to score. I don’ expect us to score every chance, but we have to take responsibility and if those chances go into the net then I think we go on to record a comfortable victory.

“The goal right on half time was an absolute killer. It just swung the momentum in their favour and we had to chase the game.

“It suited them to suit that bit deeper, and the more we tried to push on the more open we became at the back.

“We’re very disappointed with the nature of the goals we conceded.

“They were all from restarts. The first came from a corner, we didn’t deal with the previous corner we were very lucky to get away with it, but we didn’t learn our lesson and got hit by a sloppy goal.

“We were caught again for the second. The keeper has made a great save from Darren’s header. But from the resulting corner they cleared the ball, we didn’t pick up the second ball and they broke the length of the pitch to score again.

“And the third came from another corner which we didn’t deal with.

“You can’t afford to give away goals like that at any level never mind this level.

“So I’m really disappointed with the manner of the goals as well.”