COLERAINE are at home for the first time this season as the Bannsiders meet reigning champions Larne on the Ballycastle Road tomorrow afternoon (KO 3pm)…

BOYLE SPORTS PREMIERSHIP

Overview:

Coleraine made a winning start to the Premiership last weekend after goals from Jay Henderson, Ben Doherty and Matthew Shevlin sealed a 3-1 success at Dungannon Swifts. The game provided Rob Slevin with a debut after his loan move from Derry City. Bannsiders boss Ruaidhri Higgins will have Ben Wylie available for selection after he completed a one-match ban which was carried over from last season.

Larne travel to The Showgrounds after being involved in the third round of Europa League qualifying on Tuesday night, where they were edged out by FC Iberia 1999 after extra-time. It now means the Invermen will be involved in the play-off round for the Conference League as Lincoln Red Imps of Gibraltar stand in their way of league phase football for the second time in three years. The fixture will mark Larne’s first of the domestic campaign after last weekend’s game against Bangor was postponed due to their European commitments.

Previous Meetings:

Coleraine and Larne met each other five times in all competitions last season.

  • August 10, 2025 (BSP) – Coleraine 1 (Cooper ’86 mins) Larne 0
  • November 25, 2025 (BSP) – Coleraine 1 (Shevlin ’90+2 mins); Larne 2 (Millar ’43 mins & Graham ’45 mins)
  • January 2, 2026 (BSP) – Larne 3 (Ryan ’74 mins & ’81 mins, O’Neill ’85 mins); Coleraine 0
  • April 4, 2026 (IC) – Coleraine 2 (Cooper ’13 mins & Shevlin ‘113 mins); Larne 1 (Lusty ’62 mins)
  • April 7, 2026 (BSP) – Larne 1 (Ryan ’42 mins); Coleraine 4 (Shevlin ‘2 mins & ’83 mins, Wylie ’59 mins & Patching ’71 mins)

Manager’s Thoughts:

“It would be fantastic if we were able to pick up three points,” Higgins said.

“We had Larne in our first game of last season here and we got a win, so hopefully there’s more of the same.

“We need a big, big crowd in here making a lot of noise.

“The players will be ready and it’s a game we can’t wait for.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Ian McNabb.

The assistant referees are Stephen Donaldson and Brian Wilson.

Tony Clarke has been selected as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

The match sponsor is Edmundson Electrical in Coleraine.

Niall Mack Music has kindly agreed to sponsor the match ball.

The mascots this afternoon are Jude, Lucas and Aria.

Admission:

Season tickets are valid for the fixture, although, match tickets can be bought HERE.

Larne fans will need tickets to enter the stadium which can be purchased HERE.

The match will be streamed live on NIFL TV HERE.

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

Around the Ground:

The Club Shop will be open from 10am – 5pm.

Our caterers – Phat Events – will be serving food from around 1pm.

The McKendry Suite will be open from 11.30am, with the VIP bar and Viewing Lounge open from 1.30pm.