Kearney Joins Shiels In Leaving Coleraine

Sporting head Oran Kearney has joined caput coach Dean Shiels successful leaving Coleraine up of nan club's European play-off.

Shiels and his adjunct Michael O'Connor departed nan nine connected Wednesday - conscionable 7 days earlier nan European play-off semi-final.

Kearney, who Shiels replaced arsenic head aft nan 46-year-old stepped into his domiciled arsenic sporting director, has now besides near nan club.

Former Derry City head Ruaidhri Higgins is nan frontrunner to return complete from Shiels and could beryllium successful position for nan European play-off semi-final connected Wednesday, 7 May.

The Bannsiders will look either Crusaders aliases Irish Cup finalists Dungannon Swifts successful nan play-off.

It brings to an extremity Kearney's 14-year relation pinch nan club, aft he had 2 spells arsenic head either broadside of a one-season stint arsenic St Mirren leader successful 2018.

Kearney won nan Irish Cup successful 2018 and League Cup 2 years later, arsenic good arsenic 3 runner-up finishes successful nan Irish Premiership.

He besides guided nan nine to a celebrated triumph complete NK Maribor successful Europa League qualifying successful 2020.

Henry Ross, executive president and mostly shareholder astatine Coleraine, said Kearney had played a "significant role" successful nan caller history of nan club.

"From his clip successful nan dugout to his much caller position, Oran has ever approached his responsibilities pinch dedication. On behalf of nan board, nan players, and our supporters, I want to sincerely convey Oran."