THE end of the 2024/25 campaign proved to be a busy one as Coleraine completed their post-split schedule, had a change in management and narrowly missed out on European football…
The post-split fixtures started with a visit to Glentoran. On a bright evening in east Belfast, the hosts would take the lead with just three minutes on the clock when a dangerous delivery into the box was headed into his own net by Charles Dunne who was under pressure. On 22 minutes, Coleraine would be afforded a big chance to level the contest as Shane McGonigle pointed to the spot after Glackin was fouled by Fuad Sule inside the box. Unfortunately, Matthew Shevlin’s resulting penalty was saved by Daniel Gyollai. A series of missed efforts were punished as Glentoran extended their lead on 57 minutes. A ball into the box wasn’t cleared well enough by Coleraine and substitute Dylan Connolly punished that error by arrowing a low effort into the bottom corner. As the game entered stoppage-time, Coleraine were awarded their second penalty of the game as this time Shevlin was fouled inside the box. Substitute Declan McManus slammed his spot kick into the net to half the arrears. There was just enough time for the Bannsiders to launch one last attack but McManus’ goal bound effort was blocked by a last-ditch tackle as Coleraine lost out.
A few days later, Coleraine then moved up to fourth in the Sports Direct Premiership table after a 3-2 victory against Dungannon Swifts at a sun-kissed Ballycastle Road. The Bannsiders hit the front with just six minutes on the clock when Jack Scott charged down Caolan Marron’s attempted clearance before stroking the ball into the net. Three minutes later, Coleraine stretched their advantage as Jamie Glackin’s corner-kick was stabbed home by Dean Jarvis at the near post for his first goal of the campaign. However, Dungannon pulled a goal back on 20 minutes when John McGovern’s strike from distance sailed into the back of the net. Just after the hour mark, the scores were tied as Dungannon made it 2-2 when Leo Alves’ cross on the right-hand side was on the money for Adam Glenny to head in at the back post. However, as the clock entered stoppage time, the Railway End would be bouncing as Coleraine grabbed the winner when Glackin’s strike from distance fizzed beyond Declan Dunne and into the far corner.
Coleraine players celebrate Jamie Glackin’s winner against Dungannon Swifts.
The Bannsiders then had their hopes of automatic European qualification ended as Larne left The Showgrounds with all three points. The Inver Reds forged ahead on six minutes when Andy Ryan latched onto a ball over the top, and as Little came out to meet him, the striker cleverly touched the ball around the onrushing ‘keeper and into an open net. However, Coleraine levelled at the break when Lyndon Kane picked out Declan McManus and the striker picked his spot with a composed finish. In a game that both teams ultimately needed to win to improve their chances of finishing second – it would be Larne who would come out victorious at the full-time whistle. A foul by Charles Dunne, which appeared to be outside the box, saw the Invermen being awarded a spot-kick which was dispatched by Paul O’Neill as the visitors sealed a 2-1 success.
A week later Coleraine then slipped down two places in the Sports Direct Premiership table after a 3-0 loss to Crusaders at Seaview. With just 27 seconds on the clock, Coleraine suffered a nightmare start as the hosts took the lead. A long ball forward saw Jay Boyd afforded too much time to turn inside the box and he rifled a shot into the far corner. Missed opportunities cost Coleraine as Crusaders stretched their lead on 56 minutes when an interception by Jamie Glackin inadvertently presented Boyd with the perfect opportunity to score and he did just that with another well-executed finish. Boyd then secured the match ball when he completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Kyle McClelland was adjudged to have brought down Josh O’Connor inside the area.
In the final Premiership match of the season, Coleraine ensured they would finish their campaign on a high note as Rhyss Campbell’s eye-catching volley saw off Linfield at The Showgrounds. After both teams traded chances, the Stripes hit the front in spectacular circumstances when a defensive clearance by Ethan McGee landed into Campbell’s path and his stunning strike from 25 yards fizzed into the top corner. The Blues started to ramp the pressure early in the second-half as Euan East and Charlie Allen had efforts saved, before Josh Archer’s low effort rattled the post. With less than ten minutes remaining, Coleraine had a chance of their own as Paddy Burns headed over from a delivery, with Linfield then reduced to ten men after Scot Whiteside was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
Rhyss Campbell was understandably delighted after his match-winning strike against Linfield.
Coleraine wouldn’t know the outcome of their opponents in the European play-off ties until the conclusion of the Irish Cup. However, in that break, Coleraine decided to change their management staff as Dean Shiels and Michael O’Connor left the club and were replaced by former player Ruaidhri Higgins as manager and coach Connor Loughrey. Additionally, Oran Kearney stepped down from his role as sporting director with immediate effect.
After Dungannon Swifts clinched the Irish Cup, the path was more clear as Coleraine faced Crusaders at home in the European play-off semi-final. In Ruaidhri Higgins’ first game in charge, Coleraine made a dream start by taking the lead with just three minutes on the clock when Jack Scott and Corey Smith combined to find Declan McManus who made no mistake from close range. McManus would have the best two opportunities to extend their advantage before the break but he was denied by Johnny Tuffey, before seeing a free-kick go inches by the near post. The second-half saw less goal mouth action and Coleraine survived a scare with less than minutes remaining as Jordan Stewart rippled the side netting after being picked out by Philip Lowry. The last effort of the game saw Higgins’ men threaten on the counter attack as Jamie Glackin arrowed over from just outside the box as they ran out 1-0 victors.
Ruaidhri Higgins’ first game in charge was a 1-0 victory against Crusaders.
A meeting at home to Cliftonville stood in Coleraine’s way of a return to Europe – but it would prove to be a difficult afternoon for the Bannsiders. After a bright start by Coleraine, which yielded in big chances being spurned, the Reds took the lead when Rory Hale blasted in from close range. The Stripes’ task was then made more difficult when ‘keeper Max Little was dismissed for a tackle on Joe Gormley after the restart. Jim Magilton’s men then secured the European jackpot midway through the second-half when Axel Piesold slammed home from inside the box to bring the Bannsiders’ season to a disappointing end.
April Player of the Month: Dylan Boyle
April Goal of the Month: Rhyss Campbell vs Linfield