Patterson rages at referee

Oran Kearney said he was delighted for Darren McCauley after the midfielder struck eight minutes from time to earn Coleraine a draw.
Darren McCauley's shot beats Elliott Morris. 




photo: Derek SimpsonDarren McCauley's shot beats Elliott Morris. 




photo: Derek Simpson
Darren McCauley's shot beats Elliott Morris. photo: Derek Simpson

McCauley has had his season curtailed by injury, and Kearney said it was a big positive to have him back in action again.

“It’s nice for Darren, he started the season with such a bang but then he picked up the injury and it has been a very frustrating time for him, for us, for his team-mates and for the fans,” he told Times Sport.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We all think so highly of him here. I’m delighted for him to get back today and get a full 90 minutes under his belt, which will do him the world of good, and obviously it’s fantastic that he grabbed the goal as well.

“That has to be the big positive we take out of today.”

McCauley reacted quickest to fire the ball home after Elliott Morris could only parry Gary Browne initial effort, and Kearney said a draw was probably a fair result on the day.

“I think on endeavours over all I would have to say a draw was probably a fair result in the end,” he said.

“Hand on heart the longer the game went on I was wondering if we were going to get the goal or not. Shane (McGinty) hit the post just after half time, and we had a couple other wee sniffs, but it didn’t look as though it was going to be our day.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Credit to the lads though they kept going and they got the reward in the end.

“It was a nice move which led to the goal. Gary Browne and Mark Miskimmin linked up just outside the box, and Gary forced a good save out of Elliott Morris. But to be fair to Darren he is the only player on the pitch who has reacted to the ball breaking loose and he slotted it away.”

There were several big talking points in the opening few minutes as the Bannsiders had two penalty appeals waved away by referee Tim Marshall.

Glentoran also had an appeal of their own dismissed, and Kearney said he has seen all three given before.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I thought ours were both penalties and theirs wasn’t,” he joked.

“No I am only joking that’s the biased view.

“Hand on heart I would say I have seen all three given before and that’s probably the best way I could describe it.

“Ian is adamant from our two incidents that there was contact on both occasions and they are two big shouts.

“At the other end Aaron said he felt he got a bit of the ball but admitted he probably got a bit of the player as well.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I wouldn’t have been surprised to have seen all three given, but on the otherhand I supposed we’re not surprised to see none of the given.”

Coleraine have a free week this Saturday as it’s the Irish Cup quarter finals although Kearney revealed they may hav a friendly during this week.

We have a reserve game on Wednesday and we have a reserve game on Saturday and we’re maybe going to try and get a friendly arranged for Thursday so as we can give the guys a Saturday off,” he said.

“We have a lot of guys who have young kids, so a Saturday off would be important to them too.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’re not slave drivers, we’re not going to bring guys in as punishment for not making it through in the Irish Cup. We will try and do our hard work during the week so as the guys can get a weekend off.”

Related topics: