Oran seeks to build on final experience
Thursday, 9 February 2012
These Coleraine fans were among several hundred left feeling angry and disappointed after Saturday’s game with Dungannon was called off because the floodlights failed to work.
ORAN Kearney has warned his players not to underestimate the challenge of Championship One pacesetters Ballinamallard Utd when they meet in the sixth round of the JJB Sports Irish Cup this Saturday. The Fermanagh side are the runaway leaders of the second tier and are odds-on to be competing in the Premier League next year.
Kearney and his assistant Trevor McKendry know the Mallards well from their time managing Limavady Utd and are expecting a tough examination from Whitey Anderson's side.
However, the Coleraine boss believes that the experience gained from losing last month's IRN-BRU League Cup final will stand his players in good stead.
“I know Whitey Anderson well. He has some really good players there and they're crying out for Premier League football," said Oran.
“They're going really well in their league and they have a good cup pedigree as well.
“They beat Lisburn Distillery last year in the cup before being beaten by Crusaders so we've got to be at our best if we want to progress.
“One thing's for sure, if we give Ballinamallard a two-goal lead like we did Larne Tech then we're out.
“However, I think we've all learned from the IRN-BRU final and we've got to look at it as a positive experience.
“We've now got a taste for it and it's fair to say that we're all hungry for more," he added.
Kearney, who celebrates a year in charge at the Showgrounds this week, was left frustrated when floodlight failure meant Saturday's Carling Premiership game at Dungannon Swifts was postponed.
The game will be played at a later date when all Coleraine supporters will be offered free admission.
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