Manager satisfied with start to the season

"In the first half we were very good and overall I though it was a very good game," he said.

"Make no mistake about it Ards are a good team and they showed that again here against us.

"I told the players this was going to be a game of the wannabes against the have dunnit's as they have a team littered with Irish League veterans.

"I'm sure though that we have plenty of players who are going to have a very good Irish League careers.

"I gave the lads the ultimatum that the young bucks shouldn't let the old hands come and dominate us.

"The did gave us a good game and for twenty minutes in the second half they caused a few problems but I'm delight with the way we handled it."

With such a tough battle at times especially in the second half Kearney was quick to praise his team's abilities.

"The way we battled is a sure sign of the character and fight that we have in this squad of players we have.

"The second goal we scored was superb and it came from a very good piece of play down the right hand side.

"I have to give Niall Cooke credit as well. He hasn't really kicked a ball in the last three months and he did well going straight into the team.

"He may have been a bit lethargic at time but his touch and ability on the ball is first class and that showed through.

"His movement for his chance in the first half was different class and he will be an asset to us no doubt about it."

After grabbing such a late winner Kearney had some praise for his assistant Trevor McKendry too.

"I have to give Trevor some credit for the goal as his quick think got the ball down the line for a quick throw and we caught them out.

"Walshy took the the quick throw and Ciaran picked out a great cross for the Niall to score.

"Over the ninety minutes I think we deserved the win although they had a very good twenty minute spell in the second half.

"In the first half we were very strong and I had no doubt that out young legs would finish the game the stronger."

After dropping two points on the opening day Kearney feels he let the focus of the team slip slightly.

"I fell into to the trap against Carrick of thinking too far ahead and we dropped points last weekend.

"I stood up and apologised to the players last Thursday in training for letting that happen.

"What got us through last season was looking at one game at time and that's what we are back to now again.

"We had a good bit of success from that and that's what we will be sticking to from now on.

"I know it's an old mantra but taking one game at a time is what it's all about for us.

"We concentrated on this game and will only now look at our next game which is against Carrick."

With four points from a possible six the manager feels it's a decent start for his side.

"It's not a bad start and I suppose before the season started I probably would have taken it.

"The first day of the season is always difficult and it was a game I didn't really enjoy to much.

"I always find it's a big leveller of the two teams and that's the way it proved against Carrick.

"It's a good start and I'm over the moon with the way things are shaping up," concluded Kearney.