Coleraine boss Oran Kearney believes Lyndon Kane’s picture book winner against derby rivals Ballymena United was meant to be on the same week as his birthday.
Kane, who turned 24 on Monday, rifled home only his second league goal for the club and his first in almost six years to secure a 1-0 win at the Showgrounds on Tuesday night.
The right-back’s last league goal was against Carrick in 2015, while his last goal of any description was in a 3-1 win over Larne in the Irish Cup semis at the same Ballymena venue three years ago.
“Lyndon likes scoring goals up here,” smiled Kearney after Kane sealed the points on the hour mark with a left footed rocket from the edge of the area.
“I remember he got one with his right foot in an Irish Cup semi-final against Larne here, but this one with his left was more of a collector’s item.
“It’s crazy. He’s not known for his goals, but the moment he hit it, you knew it was only going one place. It was a great strike.
“He was skipper tonight, he’s a hometown boy and it was his birthday yesterday, so I’m delighted for him because I know the pride he takes in pulling on the Coleraine shirt.”
Kearney accepted Tuesday night’s derby, which was played behind closed doors with only staff, media and selected directors in attendance, had been a ‘fiery’ affair.
An ill-tempered melee ensued after Kane’s winner while tempers also frayed at the death when United keeper Jordan Williamson received a straight red card for a challenge on Stewart Nixon.
At times the verbal exchanges from the respective dugouts and between board members in the main stand were as feisty as the action on the pitch.
“For the first time in a while it turned more ‘needly’ than it needed to be,” said Kearney.
“Sometimes you think with no crowd here, you won’t get that needle in the game, but there definitely was. It was scrappy and we’re just delighted to get out with the three points.
“We haven’t had a 1-0 in a while, so it was good medicine for the back four and everyone in the team to keep a clean sheet and get the win.”
