Kearney pleased as Coleraine progress in League Cup

Coleraine boss Oran Kearney praised his side for the professional job they produced to seal their place in the next round of the Wasp Solutions League Cup.
Brad Lyons, given his first start for Coleraine, forces a corner. photo:Derek SimpsonBrad Lyons, given his first start for Coleraine, forces a corner. photo:Derek Simpson
Brad Lyons, given his first start for Coleraine, forces a corner. photo:Derek Simpson

First half goals from Ian Parkhill and Neil McCafferty and a late third from Shane McGinty were enough to put the Championship side Larne to the sword at The Showgrounds on Monday night.

“It’s nearly the same team talk every year for this stage of any cup game. Number one be in the hat no matter what and number two there’s always shocks so don’t let it be us,” Kearney told Times Sport after the game.

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“We started well and got the goals. It was nice to see ‘Parky’ get off the mark, and Shane wrapped things up with a deserved goal.

“It was a professional job well done.”

The Bannsiders made a bright start to the game and edged in front on 17 minutes as Ian Parkhill netted from close range. Five minutes later it was 2-0 as Neil McCafferty curled home a delightful free kick.

Larne responded as Paul Maguire clipped a shot off the crossbar on the half hour mark. Five minutes later he drew a good stop from Eugene Ferry.

Coleraine squandered an excellent opportunity to put the game to bed on 55 minutes after Ruairi Harkin was brought down in the box, but Gary Browne’s spot kick was saved by John Connolly.

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With a minute to go McGinty surged at the home defence before releasing Harkin. His shot was parried by Connolly and McGinty cheekily backheeled the rebound into the empty net.

There was disappointment for Portstewart though as they went down 2-0 at Bangor. Gary Taylor’s side produced a sterling effort against the Seasiders having to play for over half the game with only 10 men following Stuart Millar’s first half dismissal.

Coleraine: Ferry, Mullan, Watt, Douglas (Harkin 46), Ogilby, McGinty, McCafferty, McNeill, Lyons (Barton 76), Parkhill (Moore 68), Browne.

Subs: Findlay, Lindsay.

Larne: Connolly, Scott (McCabe 67), McNamee, Reynolds, Robinson, Davison, Gillan, Smith (Thompson 27), Gillan, Maguire, Gillan.

Subs: Ward, Rooney.

Referee: S Wallace.

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