I have a platform to go out & play.. it’s been great

COLERAINE ACE MCKENDRY LOVING LIFE UNDER KEARNEY

COLERAINE new boy Conor Mckendry has credited his flying start at the Showgrounds to a tight knit changing room and inspirational boss Oran Kearney.

Mckendry has fired home five goals and emerged as one of the league’s top young talents since joining the Bannsiders from Larne in the summer.

Kearney’s insistence that the 23-year-old winger be part of a deal that saw Ben Doherty join the Inver Reds in July already looks like a master stroke.

And Mckendry, who scored in last week’s 3-1 win over his former club at the Showgrounds, says the feeling is mutual after an impressive first three months at the club.

“I’m loving it at Coleraine,” he said. “Oran has given me a platform to go out and play with freedom which has been great for me.

“Obviously, he wants me to work hard and do the dirty side of the game, but he has also encouraged me to get on the ball and express myself.

“To be playing regular football and having fantastic teammates and a great manager behind me who trusts me has been a big thing for me.

“I’m enjoying my football and hopefully I can keep going and get more goals and assists for the team.”

Mckendry’s fifth goal of the season came against Larne eight days ago, a long range effort that nestled in the bottom corner via a deflection off visiting defender Cian Bolger.

“It came off a defender but I’m claiming it all day long,” said the former Ipswich Town forward.

“We felt we deserved more when we lost at their place at the start of the season, so it was bril

liant to get the three points. We got what we deserved.”

Coleraine’s win over Larne made it 14 games without defeat in all competitions, with Kearney’s men keeping an impressive 11 clean sheets in the process.

Their last league loss this season was a 2-1 defeat at today’s opponents Cliftonville in August.

“Cliftonville are a very good footballing side and their results tell you they’re a good team,” said Mckendry of today’s clash with the league leaders.

“It’ll be tough but hopefully we can do what we’ve been doing in recent weeks and get a win. We want to keep our recent home form going and turn the Showgrounds into a bit of a fortress.”

FIXTURES (3PM UNLESS STATED):

Ballymena Utd v Crusaders; Carrick Rangers v Warrenpoint Town; Coleraine v Cliftonville; Portadown v Larne; Glenavon v Linfield (5.30pm).