Ballymena United star admits Oran Kearney has boosted his confidence after tough Sky Blues start
Ballymena United star Daire O’Connor admits new manager Oran Kearney has boosted his confidence after a difficult start to life at The Showgrounds.
O’Connor, who scored 15 goals and provided 14 assists during his last season in the Irish League at Glentoran, joined Ballymena from Scottish side Hamilton Academical ahead of the current campaign.
He initially struggled for opportunities, making just three Premiership starts under previous boss Jim Ervin, but has hit new heights in recent weeks.
The 27-year-old scored his first club goal in their BetMcLean Cup quarter-final win over Larne earlier this month and has now netted three times in his last two league outings, including a Boxing Day brace against rivals Coleraine.
O’Connor previously spoke with Kearney about potentially joining him at Coleraine in recent years before ultimately choosing different options, but the pair are now working together at the Sky Blues.
Kearney’s arrival has helped bring the best out of ex-Cliftonville winger O’Connor and he’s feeling the benefit of consistent minutes.
"The biggest (difference) is just consistent opportunity,” he told the club’s media channel. “For whatever reason, my first couple of weeks here I was in and out of squads, I was on the bench and not really getting on.
"As an attacker, you need minutes and momentum. Even my first couple of starts after coming back into the team, it takes some time to get that sharpness back.
"It's about match sharpness and confidence...wingers at this level rely on confidence, that's just how it is, and Oran has come in and given me that.
"Everyone has told me they know there's a player there and I just need to go out and do it. If you're given an opportunity you have to take it because if you don't, then the people who weren't playing you were right."
Ballymena ended a five-game winless Premiership run on Boxing Day and will be aiming to build further momentum in Tuesday’s trip to Bangor.
O’Connor has formed an impressive partnership with Kian Corbally, who provided both of his assists against Coleraine, and revealed words of wisdom from Kearney has also helped instil attacking belief.
“Oran has a saying of 'warm feet, cold head' so you have to be calm and cool in those final moments,” added O’Connor. "I was probably guilty of snatching at a chance (last weekend against Carrick Rangers).
"It's about taking a breath and shooting like nobody is watching, just do it on instinct. That paid off (against Coleraine). Little snippets of information and advice during the week helped."