COMMENT: Oran Kearney's new deal is Coleraine's most important

It probably ranks only second behind the Bannsiders bringing the 42-year-old back to the club in 2019 after a brief sabbatical with St Mirren.

Since then Kearney has led Coleraine to winning the League cup, two runners-up finishes in the League and a momentous European run which saw them create history by dumping NK Maribor out of the Europa League.

The fact the Bannsiders have achieved all this despite remaining part-time speaks volumes about the man.

During his first spell at The Showgrounds you could sense he was building something and the Irish Cup victory over Cliftonville in 2018 put Coleraine back at the top table.

But since his return Kearney has not only cemented their place there but raised the bar yet again.

He is fully aware of the challenges in the Danske Bank Premiership now with so many full time teams recruiting so many quality players.

But rather than fear the challenges Kearney embraces and meets it head on.

His clever recruitment, man-management and tactical nous help give the Bannsiders the edge.

More often than not, when the chips seem stacked against them, Kearney's men pull it out of the bag, just like they did on that famous night in Slovenia.

The Bannsiders have some impressive plans for the future with the proposed redevelopment of The Showgrounds, and with Kearney at the helm it seems certain to be a very exciting era for Coleraine and their fans.

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