Kearney thrilled as O’donnell commits future
COLERAINE have been given the perfect lift ahead of tomorrow’s Europa League preliminary qualifying round clash at home to La Fiorita with the news that skipper Stephen O’donnell has agreed a new deal.
The captain’s decision to prolong his stay at the Showgrounds follows news of a new contract for defender Aaron Traynor.
Coleraine, who lost to Ballymena United in the Irish Cup semi-finals, have been knocked out of the Europa League first qualifying round in each of the last two seasons but they will be quietly confident of overcoming their San Marino opponents.
And the Bannsiders face a trip to Maribor of Slovenia if they can get past La Fiorita.
The Europa League clash is a perfect opportunity to get some of the Irish Cup disappointment out of their system and O’donnell’s new deal is welcome news.
The centre-back has put pen to paper on a two-year extension that sees his contract run out at the end of the 2022-23 season.
Former Institute man O’donnell has made 95 appearances for the club and found the back of the net on six occasions.
Coleraine boss Oran Kearney said: “We are delighted that Stephen has agreed a new deal.
“He is our captain and he’s now hitting the age where he will be coming into his prime.
“He epitomises what the club is about both on and off the pitch and he has a hunger to do well this season after suffering a calf injury during the last campaign.
“Stephen is a big personality and he leads by example and the news is brilliant for everyone concerned.”
Full-back Traynor put pen to paper on a two-year extension that ties him down to the club until the end of the 2022-23 season.
“I’m happy to sign a new deal and it was an easy decision when we are doing well, competing for trophies and playing in Europe,” he said. “The club is heading in the right direction and I want to be a part of that. I’m really enjoying my time here, so it was a no-brainer for me. I see my longterm future here and I would happily see out my career at Coleraine, but I might not get another year on top of the three left on my deal!
“I feel in recent years I have looked after myself more as I would like to play as long as possible.”
Traynor says class act Kearney is a master at getting the best out of his players.
“Oran has been a massive influence on my career, he’s brilliant and is fantastic both on and off the pitch,” he added.
“I am lost for words to describe the aura he has about him but he sets his standards high and is approachable on a personal level. We will go into Thursday night’s game all guns blazing and we are looking forward to it.
“We know there is a potential trip to Maribor but we can’t look too far ahead. It is just a shame we won’t have our fans in attendance as they help us.”
• JAY Donnelly is being linked with a return to Cliftonville.
Donnelly, who served a threemonth prison sentence for distributing an indecent image of a child, had returned to the game at Ballymena Intermediate League side Belfast Celtic.