Gaffer wary of Swifts threat

COLERAINE go in search of an important three points as they welcome Dungannon Swifts to The Showgrounds tomorrow afternoon (KO 3pm)…

Danske Bank Premiership

Overview:

Coleraine go into the fixture on the back of reaching the last four of the Bet McLean League Cup as goals from Jamie Glackin and Matthew Shevlin were enough to overcome Glentoran at The Showgrounds. However, Coleraine will want to get back to winning ways in the Danske Bank Premiership after registering a scoreless draw against Carrick last weekend. Oran Kearney’s men currently occupy 4th spot in the Premiership standings.

Due to being knocked out by Limavady United in the third round of the competition, the Swifts were not in action throughout the week. Dean Shiels’ side were beaten last weekend by Cliftonville at Solitude and sit 10th in the table. Their sole victory on the road this season was a 4-1 win against Portadown back in September.

Previous meetings:

You only have to go back two months for the last time the two sides clashed 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.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“It will be another tough one,” Kearney said.

“I know people will say we beat them well down there but if you look at their results and follow how their doing, there are times they have picked up results and times that they haven’t.

“The way they play football they can cause you problems.

“We need to rest up as we have played midweek and they haven’t so it’s important we recharge and go again.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Diarmuid Harrigan.

The assistant referees are Stephen Donaldson and Jamie Carnduff.

Tony Clarke has been allocated as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

The match sponsor is Trust Ford.

Rafters Snooker Club have kindly agreed to sponsor the match ball.

The mascots tomorrow afternoon are Mason, Cillian, Isla and Odhrán and they 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.

Supporters are reminded that a Service of Remembrance will take place at 12:45pm 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).