Coleraine manager Oran Kearney has paid a glowing tribute to Eoin Bradley - admitting he always regrets letting the striker leave the club earlier in his career. The 38-year-old forward went on to enjoy two spells with the Bannsiders, scoring 55 goals in 222 appearances.
Bradley spent an initial season with Coleraine in 2013/14 before joining Glenavon where he won the Irish Cup. He returned to the Showgrounds in 2017 where he won another Irish Cup and League Cup.
Kearney admits he 'made a mistake' in letting the striker go in 2014. He also described the striker as a 'legend' after playing his part in a hugely successful spell with the Bannsiders.
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Kearney told the club's website: “Skinner has absolutely been a great servant to Coleraine FC. I’ve openly admitted to him and others that it was my mistake to let him go back in 2014, but across his two spells, he has been outstanding.
“The second spell in particular, I remember he was signed alongside Ciaron Harkin and it seemed to light a switch as we went on a serious run and he has been a massive part of our success. In recent years, we have won the Irish Cup, League Cup, finished runners-up and had some memorable games in Europe and Skinner has been at the forefront of that both on and off the pitch.
“It was a really tough decision and the biggest compliment I can give to him is that there wouldn’t be so much mulling over another player at his age to push and go again. The term club legend is used very easily but when you factor in the success we have had in recent years, you can’t deny that Skinner has been a big part of that."
Among Bradley's highlights was a superb goal in the 2018 Irish Cup final against Cliftonville. The Bannsiders emerged on top following an enthralling second half to win 3-1 at Windsor Park, Bradley scoring a late third for Kearney's side.
The Bannsiders boss added: “He has had many big moments in a Coleraine shirt and will be fondly remembered for ‘that’ goal in the Irish Cup final. A huge personality both on and off the pitch, Skinner will always be welcome to the Coleraine Showgrounds.”
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