Proud Kearney: my Coleraine heroes won’t fear Euro big guns

COLERAINE manager Oran Kearney says he’s relishing another giant slaying mission in the Europa League after his warriors stunned Slovenian side NK Maribor on Thursday night.

The Bannsiders recorded a famous 5-4 penalty shoot-out success after the tie had finished 1-1 with James Mclaughlin on target for the north west heroes.

Coleraine were huge underdogs in the first qualifying round clash but produced one of the greatest Irish League performances in Europe to floor a side which in the last decade has beaten Rangers, Celtic, Wigan, Palermo and Panathinaikos.

Humble former St Mirren boss Kearney (right) took it all in his stride and 12 hours later he was back at Cross and Passion College in Ballycastle looking after Year Eight pupils.

The Bannsiders’ first European

victory away from home since 1970 took their prize money to an estimated £644,000 this summer, while the Irish League’s cash bonus so far is around £1.75m.

Linfield and Coleraine await their opponents in the Europa League second qualifying round draw on Monday and Kearney’s men, who overcame San Marino’s La Fiorita 1-0 in the preliminary round, could face either Tottenham, who they played in the old Cup Winners Cup in 1982, AC Milan or Rangers.

The former Linfield midfielder said: “The reward now to get through another round is fantastic for the club and we look forward to the draw next week. The boys were simply immense, it was a crazy night.

“It is uncharted territory but one we are very proud of and while the players are underdogs on this stage they have belief.”

Coleraine striker Eoin Bradley said: “It was an unbelievable night and result. I’d love a big tie against AC Milan or Spurs, I don’t mind as long as it’s a big game for the club.”