Irish League manager's 'I think we're done' transfer message with talisman injury return 'like a new signing'
Ballymena United manager Oran Kearney has revealed “I think we're done” in this summer’s transfer market with the Sky Blues squad now “in a good place”.
The Showgrounds outfit have been the busiest Premiership club throughout the off-season with 10 new players arriving and 17 departing on a permanent basis as Kearney conducts a squad overhaul following a disappointing campaign last term.
Appointed as Jim Ervin’s successor in December, this summer has marked Kearney’s first in the Ballymena hotseat – and he has certainly taken the chance to put his own stamp on the playing panel.
Kearney has prioritised previous Premiership experience with Jonny Addis, Josh Archer, Chris McKee, Stephen Fallon, Micheal Glynn and Scot Whiteside amongst his new signings.
Ballymena finished ninth in Northern Ireland’s top flight last term, just three points ahead of Crusaders who occupied the promotion/relegation play-off position, and it's hoped transfer activity can help propel Kearney’s men up the table.
"We're happy,” said Kearney. “Coming in mid-season was tricky and the first thing was trying to get safe, the second was then to try and put your own stamp on it.
"We got three or four players in January, but I think we've eight or nine in now during this summer window, which we're very happy about.
"A lot of that work was done maybe in January or February, so it has been a very busy six months, but overall with all the ins and outs, the squad is in a good place. I think we've 22 players and we're looking forward to getting going.”
When asked if Ballymena will conduct any more business before the window slams shut, Kearney added: “We're done I would say, I think we're done."
Kearney will also get his first opportunity to work with Ballymena talisman Ben Kennedy, who has been out of action since suffering an injury in October’s defeat to Glentoran.
The 29-year-old scored 13 goals across 26 Premiership appearances during his maiden campaign at Ballymena in 2024/25 and had struck three times prior to his season-ending issue last term.
Kennedy registered a hat-trick in Saturday's 5-1 friendly win over Portstewart and also netted against Dundela earlier this month.
The former Stevenage star was a top Irish League performer during his previous spell at Crusaders and Kearney is excited to have someone of Kennedy’s calibre back available.
"It's like a new signing for us,” added Kearney. “He missed the whole of the time I was there last season, he was just about getting back to full training as the season was finishing.
"He has worked hard, he scored a few goals there on Saturday...he has a bit to go in terms of fitness but he's getting there and working extremely hard.
"We're hugely excited to have him back.
"There's no doubting Ben's pedigree and quality and what he has brought to the league over the last few years.
"Being out was a tough one for him but he's fighting very hard to get his fitness levels back up for the new season.”