Bannsiders set for Cup Final

COLERAINE aim to bring Irish Cup glory back to The Showgrounds for the first time since 2003 when they take on Linfield at Windsor Park (KO 2:30pm)…

Coleraine will look to finish off a remarkable season by securing Irish Cup glory for the sixth time in the club’s history when they take on league champions Linfield.

The Bannsiders have reached this stage of the competition following victories over Carrick Rangers, Tobermore United, Ballymena United and Glenavon. As for Linfield, they have knocked out Glentoran, Institute, Crusaders and Dungannon Swifts. The last time the two sides met each other in an Irish Cup final was in 2008 as Linfield emerged 2-1 victors thanks to a second-half double from Peter Thompson.

Coleraine have enjoyed success at Windsor Park in league duty this season following a 1-1 draw in August, before Jordan Allan’s header gave the Stripes all three points in January. However, the Bannsiders will aim for revenge as Linfield clinched a 5-1 win against Coleraine at The Showgrounds last month.

Allan celebrates after netting a late winner at Windsor Park. It was Coleraine’s first win at the venue in seven years.

Stripes boss Oran Kearney will be without the services of Davy Kee and Gary Twigg for the showpiece final, but has encouraged his troops by saying they ‘could be heroes’ if they bring the cup home.

“Since Christmas the big wheels clicked and they kept turning and turning, and they are still turning at this point in time.

“The Irish Cup hasn’t been good to us as a club during my tenure here, but finally we have reached that point where we are there and we have got what we wanted.

“It means so much to this area and everyone in it for us to be there and bring the trophy back next week.

“What I want to be doing in 15 or 20 years time when we have won a lot more medals and Coleraine will be in another cup final and we will be back here to reminisce and to talk about what happen all those years ago.”

As ever, those unable to attend can follow the latest updates via the club’s official Twitter (@ColeraineFC).