We might be on to a gem with Kearney
Reading Coleraine’s reactions to the news of St Mirren’s approach for Oran Kearney brings flashbacks of the summer – and that can only be a good thing.
Supporters of the Bannsiders haven’t been slow to lament the potential departure of their gaffer to the Saints, much like we all did back in May when Sunderland came calling for Jack Ross.
The disappointment was hard to bear for a number of fans, only because we all knew just how good he was.
If that is anything to go by then Saints appear to be treading on the right path as they chap on the Coleraine door looking to right the wrongs of June’s recruitment drive that eventually saw Alan Stubbs take the reins.
Football is a fickle old game and even the most positive supporters can find a negative in something. Social media is like the backyard of Beirut when it comes to fans airing their feelings and there is always one idiot among the minority with something negative to say.
In Kearney’s case – much like Jack’s – that hasn’t happened.
Coleraine fans are unanimous in their outpouring that they want their gaffer to stay.
And they haven’t be slow in airing their disappointment, with some messages ringing all too similar.
One said: “If Kearney goes, that’s our final nail in the coffin.
“Too much disruption already this season and losing the man holding it together. We’ll be back to being little Coleraine who cause the odd upset. “We’ll have zero hope of challenging.” While another added: “I couldn’t begrudge him the move if he accepts the offer to be honest.
“I’m just gutted that we could be losing, in my eyes, the best manager in the Irish League at the moment.”
That’ll do me. Get him on the first plane to Scotland.
His appointment is not all straightforward, but initial talks appear to have gone down well in whatever Belfast bistro St Mirren chiefs caught up with Kearney and his chairman Colin McKendry on Wednesday evening.
Kearney was a frontrunner the last time and by all accounts, the man dubbed the Northern Irish Jack Ross, left quite the impression on the St Mirren board. So much so that he was instantly made their number one target when Stubbs was shown the door.
Why they didn’t offer him the job the last time is anyone’s guess, but it would be fair to assume that his lack of experience in the Scottish game may have edged the board towards picking what they assumed was a safe pair of hands.
Manager of the year Kearney – a fulltime teacher – took Coleraine to within three points of a first top-flight title in 44 years, finishing behind Crusaders.
However, he masterminded a 3-0 win over the champions on Monday – made all the more impressive that it was away from home.
His appointment would be an intriguing one from the Buddies but one that should be praised simply because they wouldn’t be following the same old managerial merry-go-round that clubs in Scotland are accustom to.
For many St Mirren are already in nothing to lose territory.
At the end of the day they are stuck with Stubbs’ squad until January so there is no reason not to roll the dice and give Kearney a chance.