Oran Kearney transfer strategy 'not just about short-term goals' at Ballymena
Oran Kearney says his start to life as Ballymena United manager has been busy - but he is absolutely loving his return to the dugout.
The Sky Blues chief was named as Jim Ervin’s successor at the start of December after previous stints at the helm of Limavady United, Coleraine and St Mirren.
The Braidmen have lost two, drawn one and won one of Kearney’s four games to date so far, with United having their last two games postponed due to an unplayable pitch at the Ballymena Showgrounds.
Kearney has been busy adding to his squad as Dean Ebbe, Sean Murray and Igor Rutkowski have all joined ranks this month.
"I’m loving training and the games win, lose or draw,” former Ballymena and Linfield player Kearney told the News Letter.
"I’m trying to enjoy it and whilst that can’t always be easy, I’m trying my hardest to be like that.
"It’s been busy so far, especially arriving mid-season, and the window has just opened so it’s busy around the leagues.
"I’m happy with my business so far but I’m also looking to the summer window as well. If we can get players in now that avoids a transfer fee, then I’d like to jump ahead as it’s not just about short-term goals.”
Cliftonville are the visitors to Warden Street on Tuesday night and Kearney outlined how the Reds have been the “victims of their own success” in recent years as players have moved on.
He explained: “We played a bounce match in training last weekend and it was a good blast for the players after the recent postponements.
"Jim (Magilton, Cliftonville manager) has a way of playing and he’s done a brilliant job there.
"Especially when you factor in losing the likes of Ronan Hale and Ben Wilson to Scottish clubs – that’s about 40 or 50 goals taken away from your team.
"You could argue that he’s been a victim of his own success as those goals are hard to replace for anyone but they’ve still been competitive and winning trophies.
"Winning those cups has probably brought attention to his players that he might not necessarily have wanted.”
Cliftonville were victorious in Irish Cup duty last weekend as Conor Falls, Brian Healy and Sean Robertson all scored in a 3-0 success against Dundela.
It marked a dream debut for Healy after his move from H&W Welders, where Joseph O'Toole and Liam McStravick have also joined forces at Solitude.
He told BBC Sport NI: "I am absolutely delighted.
"It was a great touch from Ryan [Curran] and my eyes lit up because I had a few chances before that that I should have tucked away but, once I hit that, I knew it was going into the back of the net.
"Once a team like Cliftonville come calling, you can't say no.
"I grew up as a kid playing for St Oliver Plunkett and have watched Cliftonville matches before when they have been in finals with my family, so it is a club that I grew up supporting."