Kearney pleased with improved performance

THE Bannsiders may not have come away from Ferney Park with all three points, but for Oran Kearney the victory was his after an impressive performance by his charges.
Oran Kearney and the team applaud the vociferous travelling supportOran Kearney and the team applaud the vociferous travelling support
Oran Kearney and the team applaud the vociferous travelling support

Kearney told Times Sport after the game that in his view it was easily their best performance of the season and but for an inspired performance by Ballinamallard keeper Fergal Murphy the visitors would have made the long trip home with all three points.

“For me that’s eaqsily the best we’ve played all season,” said Kearney afterwards.

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“I couldn’t have asked for more from the guys today they were excellent from the first whistle to the last and but for an inspired performance by their keeper they would have got the win they richly deserved.

“It has been a tough couple of weeks for us, but I really can’t fault them today.

“Sometimes you come away from a win feeling like a defeat, but for me that feels like a win because of the level of performance.”

Kearney was delighted the Bannsiders put their recent woes behind them to put in the type of performance he knows they are capable of. And what pleased him the most was the amount of chances his side created.

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“For any team the alarm bells start to ring if you stop creating chances but thankfully we have been creating a lot and today was no exception,” said Kearney.

“We had so many good chances to grab the second goal even right up to the last few seconds when Aaron Canning went close with a header, but it just wasn’t to be.

“But I am pleased with the creativity we showed. Gary Browne’s goal was a great team move. Unfortunately we have been caught out by other teams when we’ve had a corner so it was nice to turn it around today.”

Kearney pulled a surprise before kick off by deploying Aaron Canning in a midfield role again.

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“Aaron has so much ability and is still young but there’s times when he is playing at right back when I feel he is cruising,” explained Kearney.

“He has a lot more to give and is wasted playing in defence at times.

“So with Michael Hegarty suspended and Ruairi Harkin still carrying a knock I decided to throw him in to midfield again. Johnny Watt has been doing well for us at the back too so it seemed like a good time to push Aaron that bit further forward.

“I thought it worked well and Aaron was unlucky not to win the game for us late on.”

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Kearney is hoping the Bannsiders can produce another good performance as they entertain high flying Glenavon this Saturday.

The two teams played out an entertaining draw earlier this season at Mourneview Park and the Bannsiders boss knows it with be a tough game againsgt Gary Hamilton’s experienced side.

“It certainly was an exciting game when we played them earlier on this term,” he said.

“It was a game of two halves as we had the better of the first and Glenavon the second.

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“Since then Glenavon have been really impressive picking up a lot of good wins, none more so than their derby win over Portadown.

“It’s no real surprise to me though as they are a good side packed full of experienced players.

“We will have to produce another top performance that’s for sure.”

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