Cian Bolger should have seen red for tackle on Matthew Shevlin, says Oran Kearney as Coleraine casualty list extends with a trio of injuries

By Johnny McNabb
Published 18th Nov 2023, 09:44 BST
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Coleraine boss Oran Kearney fears he could be without striker Matthew Shevlin for a number of weeks after being injured during last night’s defeat against Larne.

The 24-year-old was on the receiving end of a robust tackle by Cian Bolger inside the opening minute, and despite his best efforts to run it off, he had to be substituted soon after.

There would be a further blow on 12 minutes as Andy Scott pulled up with a hamstring injury, just seconds before Joe Thomson’s opener.

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Coleraine had already come into the contest without the likes of Lyndon Kane, Stephen Lowry, Stephen O’Donnell and Lee Lynch through injury, and had to withdraw Graham Kelly early in the second-half due to precaution.

Coleraine manager Oran Kearney fears he has lost the services of Andy Scott and Matthew Shevlin for the weeks aheadColeraine manager Oran Kearney fears he has lost the services of Andy Scott and Matthew Shevlin for the weeks ahead
Coleraine manager Oran Kearney fears he has lost the services of Andy Scott and Matthew Shevlin for the weeks ahead

The game would be settled on 89 minutes as Leroy Millar powered home a header from Levi Ives’ corner-kick.

Speaking after the game, Kearney believes Bolger should have been dismissed for the foul on Shevlin who has only recently returned from a three-match suspension.

“I think it was a red,” he said.

“The referee has missed it and that’s up to him.

“I don’t think it’s malicious from Cian, he’s gone to win the ball and misread it, but the damage he’s caused to Matthew is really bad where he’s going to have to go for a scan on Monday.