Down Memory Lane

WITH the on-going help of club historian Hunter McClelland, colerainefc.com brings you the latest instalment of the ‘Down Memory Lane’ series as Irish Cup holders Coleraine were knocked by Carrick Rangers in the second replay of their second round tie…

Date:

Wednesday, March 3, 1976

Result:

Carrick Rangers 2-1 Coleraine

Goals – Brown (’44 mins), McKenzie (’45 mins); Cochrane (’57 mins)

Report:

A sensational development has arisen over Terry Cochrane’s international call-up for the game against Israel next Wednesday – the Coleraine player has been told he will have to stay at home.

This has become necessary because Coleraine’s second Irish Cup replay against Carrick Rangers is on the same day. Cochrane is disappointed but realise the Coleraine team has to come first.

Coleraine’s season falls flat on its face after their 2-1 defeat by Carrick Rangers in the second replay of their second round Irish Cup tie at Seaview on Wednesday afternoon.

And the cup holders can have no complaints for, even in three meetings, they failed to master the junior side, who go on to meet Larne in the semi-final, and have a great chance of reaching the final.

The warning signs were there from the start but the game really exploded into action in 43 minutes. Frankie Moffatt saved the ball from going daed and crossed for Jim Smith to fire into the net but lineman Jim Haughey flagged for a goal kick.

Straight from the kick out, Carrick swept to the other end for Jim Brown to score. With Coleraine still shocked Carrick came through for a second, scored by McKenzie.

Coleraine took up the running in the second half and in 57 minutes Cochrane went through for a brilliant goal. There then followed a succession of fine saves by Cowan, culminating in a stop from a Dickson header in the 87th minute.

So Coleraine went out and with defeat, look like missing out on any chance of Europe next season.

The gate receipts were £630, which added to £400 at Coleraine and £470 at Carrick, gives a total of £1,500 for the tie.

Line-ups:

CARRICK RANGERS: Cowan, McDowell, Macklin, Brown, Matchett, Connor, Cullen, Allen, McKenzie, Pedlow, Reid (Hamilton).

COLERAINE: Magee, McCurdy, Butcher, Beckett, Jackson, Murray, Cochrane, Simpson, Smith, Dickson, Moffatt.

Subs Not Used: Jennings.

Footnote:

Carrick Rangers went on to defeat Linfield in the Irish Cup final, played in Europe, got through the first Preliminary round and went out to Southampton in the second Pre Rd.

The following season Coleraine drew Carrick Rangers again, in the first round. Coleraine won 5-2, and went on to beat Linfield in the final again.