Kearney joins Shiels in leaving Coleraine

Before the club’s European play-off, head coach Dean Shiels and former athletic director Oran Kearney have left Coleraine.

On Wednesday, just seven days before the European play-off semi-final, Shiels and his assistant Michael O’Connor left the organization.

Kearney left the club after Shiels replaced him as manager with his current position as sporting director.

Ruaidhri Higgins, who previously led Derry City, is in line to succeed Shiels, and he might be able to make the cut for Wednesday, May’s semifinal of the European play-off.

In the play-off, the Bannsiders will face Dungannon Swifts, the winner of the Irish Cup, or Crusaders.

Following two spells as manager either side of a one-season spell as St Mirren boss in 2018, Kearney’s 14-year association with the club is ended.

Kearney won three Irish Premiership titles, three of which came after the Irish Cup in 2018, and the League Cup two years later.

In addition, he helped the club triumph over NK Maribor in the 2020 Europa League qualifying round.

Kearney was credited with “significant role” in the club’s recent history, according to Henry Ross, executive chairman and majority shareholder at Coleraine.