Family Affair

COLERAINE and Dungannon Swifts lock horns for the third time this season as The Showgrounds gets set for Danske Bank Premiership action this evening (KO 7:45pm)…

Danske Bank Premiership

Overview:

Coleraine powered their way through to the quarter-final of the Irish Cup last Saturday as two second-half goals from Lyndon Kane and Josh Carson sealed a 2-0 win against Portadown at The Showgrounds. The Bannsiders were made to work for the contest but did enough to book a last eight date with Cliftonville in the next round. Oran Kearney’s side remain in sixth position in the table as they aim to close the gap on the teams above them in the standings.

The visitors are on a great run of form having won six out of their last seven fixtures in all competitions. The latest was a 4-1 win against Annagh United on Saturday with the Swifts facing Crusaders in the quarter-final stage of the Irish Cup. Dean Shiels’ side are ninth in the Premiership table and brought in Declan Dunne, Garry Breen, Ruairi McDonald and Marc Walsh during the January transfer window, as well as Cathair Friel who will be ineligible to participate this evening.

Previous meetings:

The last time the two sides clashed was in September as Coleraine made their way to Stangmore Park. After the Swifts made a bright start, Coleraine made the breakthrough as Stephen Lowry headed home before Eoin Bradley struck right on the half-time whistle to double the advantage. It didn’t take long for the third to arrive as Matthew Shevlin pounced five minutes into the second-half, with Jamie Glackin and Ronan Wilson also finding the back of the net.

The previous meeting was at The Showgrounds in the middle of November. After Coleraine looked more threatening early doors, the pressure finally paid off as the hosts broke the deadlock after 32 minutes. It was that man Matthew Shevlin again who continued his fine goalscoring streak by heading Glackin’s inviting cross past Dwayne Nelson. The Bannsiders wasted no time stamping their authority on the contest at the start of the second half. Just four minutes had elapsed when Cathair Friel flung himself to head home Shevlin’s cross. The home side managed the game well after the cushion of a second goal.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“Dungannon are probably one of the form teams in the league at this moment,” he said.

“I said to Dean earlier in the season to hang in there and stick with it – if you get a wee run it’s amazing the difference it can make.

“Carrick did that the four 4/5 games of the season and it took them out of the mire where they could play with a little bit of freedom.

“Dungannon have had to wait a little bit longer but now that they’ve put that run together it looks like they’re getting themselves very close to safety.

“With that it also breeds a bit of confidence so I think they’ll be a different Dungannon than the one we played earlier in the season.

“Dean and I are very close – we’ve always been very close – been very close for a long, long time and I don’t think that will ever change.

“We’ll go toe to toe on Tuesday night and we’ll both want our teams to win.

“I’ve had his ear and he’s had my ear all season and that never really changes.

“He’s a young manager – not that I’m old – but you want to try and do your bit as well, you want to help as I’m sure it can be tough at times.

“I’ve been there, seven or eight years ago here, when we lost more than we won.

“There are probably little bits of advice and information from those experiences that can be passed on as well-placed.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Christopher Morrison.

The assistant referees are Kristian Hanna and Vikki Finlay.

Gareth Stewart has been allocated as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

The match sponsor is Hugh Wade & Son.

Wilbert Marshall has kindly agreed to sponsor the match ball.

The mascot this evening is Taylor and he will have the honour of leading out the team.

The Man of the Match award will be sponsored by Holley Optometrists.

Admission:

Season tickets are valid for the fixture, although, non-season ticket holders will require matchday tickets for the fixture which can be bought online HERE.

Dungannon Swifts fans will also need tickets to enter the stadium which can be purchased HERE.

Both sets of supporters are kindly asked to read the following matchday arrangements HERE.

If you are not feeling yourself tomorrow afternoon and you have symptoms which you feel are similar to COVID-19, please stay away from the stadium and think of others.

If you have access to a lateral flow/PCR test at home, we would encourage you to check yourself before coming to the game.

If you have been in contact with a positive case and haven’t yet been contacted by track and trace, please do not come to the game.

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