AFTER two successive cup games, Coleraine return to league duty as Portadown are tonight’s visitors to The Showgrounds (KO 7.45pm)…

SPORTS DIRECT PREMIERSHIP

Overview:

Coleraine reached the quarter-final of the Irish Cup last weekend following an extra-time win against Carrick Rangers. With the game tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes, Matthew Shevlin netted a hat-trick to send Coleraine through to face Limavady United in the last eight. The Bannsiders’ last Premiership match was against Bangor as they ran out 2-0 victors at Clandeboye Park.

Portadown were eliminated from the Irish Cup last weekend after suffering a 2-1 loss to holders Dungannon Swifts. Niall Currie’s men find themselves 9th in the Premiership table and their last outing in the league was a 3-0 loss at home to Carrick Rangers. There will be a few familiar faces returning to The Showgrounds this evening as Jack Scott and Josh Carson joined forces with the Ports in the January transfer window.

Previous Meetings:

Coleraine and Portadown have met each other on two occasions in the Sports Direct Premiership this term.

  • September 13, 2025 (SDP) – Portadown 1 (Teelan ’89 mins); Coleraine 4 (Patching ’45 mins & ’85 mins, Shevlin ’56 mins, Cooper ’66 mins)
  • October 25, 2025 (SDP) – Portadown 0 Coleraine 2 (Shevlin ’62 mins & Cooper ’74 mins)

Manager’s Thoughts:

“They’ve been a tough opponent,” Higgins said.

“I know they’re not on their best run of the season at the minute, but if you look at their attacking players, you see the likes of James Teelan, who’s been on the bench recently, who for me has been one of the standard attacking players this season.

“They’ve got really good attacking players, so we’ll have to be on our guard.

“We’re very, very happy after the performance and the commitment on Saturday to go and get that one over the line.

“We need to try and continue that and be at our very best on Tuesday night to win the game.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Tim Marshall

The assistant referees are Shane Geary and Gavin Hegarty.

Ben Shepherd has been selected as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

Chris Gray and John Marshall have kindly agreed to sponsor the match ball.

The mascots this evening are Quinn and Liam.

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

Admission:

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

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

A bucket collection will be held with all proceeds going towards the Causeway Coast Special Olympics team 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 12 noon to 9pm.

Our caterers – Phat Events – will be serving food from around 6.30pm.

The McKendry Suite will be open from 6pm, with the VIP bar and Viewing Lounge open from 6.30pm.