Kearney back at Coleraine a week after St Mirren exit

ORAN KEARNEY has been confirmed as manager of Coleraine just a week after leaving his post at St Mirren. The Bannsiders unveiled the 40-year-old at the Showgrounds last night, with Kearney returning for a second spell in charge of the Northern Irish club. Kearney was hailed in Paisley after helping St Mirren secure their Premiership place with a play-off penalty shoot-out win over Dundee United in May — but departed last week after a disagreement with chairman Gordon Scott over his commitment to the club. Kearney has signed a two-year contract at Coleraine and will take over from Rodney McAree, who left by mutual consent in May after failing to guide them to European football. ‘I completed the job of keeping St Mirren up when we were written off from Christmas and I had hoped I would secure another season there to build something,’ said Kearney, who guided Coleraine to Irish Cup success in 2018. ‘It hasn’t worked out that way — but that’s football. ‘There is no point in trying too long to question it but instead it’s better to look forward. ‘Time doesn’t stand still. Once you’ve finished feeling sorry for yourself, you need to kick on and look for the next challenge. ‘Coming back to Coleraine is the right fit for me because I know the club. I took seven years to build a team that won the Irish Cup and was close to winning the league. ‘I take a lot of pride in that and also in the impact it had on the local community. They are great memories for me but it’s important now to come back and get us back up there.’ St Mirren were due to visit Coleraine to play a friendly last weekend — as part of the deal agreed when Kearney initially moved to the Paisley club last September — but the match was cancelled at short notice following his departure. Coleraine chairman Colin McKendry said: ‘The board of directors and I are delighted to welcome Oran back to this football club. ‘We are convinced that he has the necessary knowledge and temperament to lead the club to the success we all desire. ‘Oran has a great record in identifying and developing players — and has identified potential targets as we look to strengthen the squad this summer. ‘This is a special day for our club, our fans and for Oran.’