Let’s be ignorant

KEARNEY ORDERS MEN TO PUT ON BLINKERS TOMORROW

PREMIERSHIP TABLE COLERAINE boss Oran Kearney will urge his players to have tunnel vision in tomorrow’s dramatic title climax.

The Bannsiders, chasing a first Gibson Cup since 1974, are level on points with Crusaders but lie below the Seaview men on goal difference heading into the final round of games.

The Crues know a win at Ballymena will be good enough to secure a third title in four years, while Coleraine travel to Glenavon in hope of a late twist in the tale.

Kearney has been down this road before, having won three titles as a Linfield player, so he knows the importance of keeping a cool head.

He said: “I know from my own experiences in this situation as a player that all you can focus on is your own performance. You can’t influence what happens elsewhere.

“The biggest thing we’ve been driving home to our players is to look after our own result – only then can you maximise any potential slip up by Crusaders.

“There would be nothing worse if Crusaders draw on Saturday and we do the same. It would be hugely frustrating if there was an opportunity there and we didn’t take it.

“The important thing for us is to focus on Glenavon and do everything we can to win the game to ensure we capitalise on any late turnaround.”

Kearney added: “I enjoyed the experience of winning titles as a player and I always craved that feeling as a manager. Now we’re in this situation, I’ve told myself to take it all in and try and enjoy the experience.”

Whatever transpires tomorrow, it has been a remarkable season for Coleraine, who nobody had down as potential champions.

They have lost just one league game all season and are unbeaten in their last 26 games in all competitions.

It is now 159 days since they last suffered a defeat – a 2-1 league loss to Linfield on November 18.

Kearney, whose side also face Cliftonville in the Irish Cup final on May 5, said: “We’re on a brilliant run and the players deserve great credit. Nobody would have predicted we’d be in this position at the start of the season.”

has confirmed that the Europa League play-off semi-finals will be played on Wednesday May 9, with the final to be staged on Saturday, May 12.

The first leg of the promotion/relegation play-off will be on May 4, with the return leg on May 9.

win at Ballymena United tomorrow seals the deal. Striker Owens said: “When we lost the title last season, I always felt we would come back strong and I think the boys have done that. “We have shown real character and know a win secures the title, so...