Oran eyes a change in the weather this week as suspensions loom large

Last Friday’s home game with Ballinamallard United and Saturday’s trip to Dungannon both fell foul to the elements as rain and snow lashed the province.

The Bannsiders are due to play the Mallards tonight (Tuesday) in the rearranged game, but another cancellation could have big implications for Kearney’s men ahead of Saturday’s cup clash with the Swifts.

No fewer than four of the squad have suspensions starting this week - Gareth Tommons, Aaron Canning, Joe McNeill all have one game bans, but Michale Hegarty begins a four game ban.

“It’s very important that we get Tuesday night’s game on, not only because it will have a knock on effect for Saturday’s cup tie, but also because we are coming into a very busy period and the last thing we need is to have to fit more games in,” Kearney told Times Sport.

“It has been a frustrating time over the last week or so with the games being called off but what can you do, it’s one of those things.

“Unfortunately it means the suspensions have caught up with us, but we’ll just have to deal with it.

“The postponements have allowed us to get a few niggles cleared up in the squad.

“We’ve also managed to get four really good training sessions under our belts which is important because we’ve been playing a lot of late.”