Irish Cup dress rehearsal at The Showgrounds

COLERAINE aim to keep the pressure on league leaders Crusaders as they welcome Cliftonville to The Showgrounds (KO 3pm)…

The Bannsiders remained two points behind Stephen Baxter’s men after Easter Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Seaview. It looked like Jamie McGonigle’s penalty was going to be enough to secure all three points, but David Cushley pounced late as Coleraine had to settle for a share of the spoils. As for Cliftonville, they know third place will secure European football and they are only two points behind Glenavon. They come into the game in good form after a 3-0 success against Ballymena United on Warden Street.

Tomorrow’s fixture will mark the fourth meeting between the two sides this season. The first was back in August with goals from McGonigle and Josh Carson sealing a 2-0 success on the Ballycastle Road. In October, Joe McCready’s second-half winner earned a hard fought 2-1 victory at Solitude and the previous contest ended in a 0-0 draw in North Belfast as the Stripes felt slightly fortunate to earn a point. Of course, both sides will see each other one more time in May as Coleraine take on Cliftonville in the Irish Cup final.

Coleraine manager Oran Kearney will have a fully fit squad to choose from bar the long-term injury suffered to James McLaughlin and he is expecting a tight game on the Ballycastle Road.

“Cliftonville are one of the form teams in the league at the moment and will be buoyant from getting to a cup final,” he said.

“The chase for third place has got even more intense so they will come with an agenda of getting three points. That makes it even more important that we are fully on it.

As ever, those unable to attend can follow the latest updates via the club’s official Twitter account (@ColeraineFC). Supporters are reminded that entry is via matchday card/season tickets only.