Bannsiders want a egg-cellent end to Easter

COLERAINE make the trip to Seaview in a mouth watering top-of-the-table clash against Crusaders (KO 7:45pm)…

The Stripes booked their spot in next month’s Tennent’s Irish Cup final after a 3-1 win over Larne. Second-half strikes from Lyndon Kane, Gareth McConaghie and Josh Carson (pen) set up a date against Cliftonville in the showpiece final on May 5. As for Crusaders, they weren’t in action at the weekend but moved top of the Danske Bank Premiership in their last outing as they comprehensively defeated Warrenpoint Town.

The two clubs have met each other on four occasions this season and there has been very little to separate the two sides. The first meeting in August saw Coleraine record a 2-1 win in North Belfast, before Stephen Baxter’s side knocked the Bannsiders out of the BetMcLean League Cup. The previous two meetings have ended in draws at The Showgrounds.

Coleraine will have a fully fit squad to choose from bar the injury to James McLaughlin and have no suspensions to serve. Despite a lot being at stake on Easter Tuesday, boss Oran Kearney admits he will enjoy the big occasion.

“I’m at Coleraine seven or eight years now and I spent the first five years coming to semi finals and longing to bring the club to it, or longing to be involved in the big game in the title race,” Kearney said.

“Thankfully in the last 12 months we’ve had two semi finals which we’ve won, and now we roll into Tuesday night for what is one of the biggest games of the season.

“I’m just delighted this season that we’re in it, because if I wasn’t I might have taken the night off training to go and watch it because I love the game here so much.

“I’m just selfish, I love that we’re involved in it and I want to go and have a really good rattle at it.”

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

Supporters are urged to read the following safety and entry information HERE before departing for Seaview.