Cup bid commences

COLERAINE kick-start their Irish Cup campaign with an away fixture against Glenavon at Mourneview Park tomorrow afternoon (3pm)…

Sadler’s Peaky Blinder Irish Cup

Overview:

Coleraine made a winning start to the New Year last Wednesday as goals from Aaron Traynor and Alexander Gawne sealed a 2-0 win against Carrick Rangers at the Belfast Loughshore Hotel Arena. The win meant the Bannsiders remain in third spot in the Danske Bank Premiership ahead of the second half of the season. The Lurgan Blues put in a strong performance at Solitude but a solitary goal from Thomas Maguire earned a 1-0 win for Cliftonville. The Stripes have fond memories of the competition after winning the famous trophy in 2018, with Coleraine losing in the semi-final stage last season.

Recent meetings:

Coleraine have came up against Gary Hamilton’s side on two occasions this season with the Bannsiders winning both fixtures 4-0 in the Danske Bank Premiership. In August, it would be the Bannsiders who would leave Mid-Ulster with all three points. After a cagey opening 45 minutes, the visitors would hit the front with the last action of the first-half as Stephen Lowry was on hand to find the back of the net from James McLaughlin’s lay off. Then, a minute into the second-half, the same combination would work wonders again as Lowry powered home his second of the evening. The win was secured with further strikes from Ben Doherty and a debut goal from Nedas Maciulaitis. Two months later, Coleraine would hold a two-goal lead at the break via James McLaughlin as Glenavon defender Daniel Larmour was sent-off. Oran Kearney’s men would kill the game off after the break as James McLaughlin completed his hat-trick, before Ben Doherty netted from the spot.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“It will be particularly tough coming off the back of the two weeks that the clubs have had,” Kearney said.

“It is huge for everybody and with that it makes it a massively important game.

“It would have been nice to have been heading into this game with a normal week.

“I can accept the schedule over Christmas but the way they have planted this game at the end of it is tough but it is the same for everybody and we will just have to get on with it.

“We’ll have to monitor the injured players and see how it goes. Aaron Jarvis will be a few months as he’s going through an operation but with Ben we are hoping it is not as bad as we first thought.”

Admission:

Admission has been set at £12 adults, £8 concessions.

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