COLERAINE start their Sports Direct Premiership campaign as Larne are the visitors to The Showgrounds this afternoon (KO 3pm)…

SPORTS DIRECT PREMIERSHIP

Overview:

After completing their pre-season preparations with a high-scoring win against Portstewart – the Bannsiders are now ready to get their Premiership campaign up and running. Boss Ruaidhri Higgins could be in line to give several players their debuts after impressive recruitment over the summer. One absentee will be Max Little who is suspended after his red card against Cliftonville last season.

Larne come into the contest after five competitive games on the European stage so far this summer. The Inver Reds have beaten FK Auda and Prishtina on penalties so far in the Conference League – setting up a clash against Santa Clara in the third round. Nathan Rooney has added Dan Bent (Lincoln Red Imps), Alfie Bridgman (Fareham Town), Kobei Moore (Aston Villa) and Matt Ridley (Blyth Spartans) to his squad this summer.

Previous Meetings:

Coleraine and Larne met each other on four occasions last season in the Sports Direct Premiership.

  • September 1, 2024 – Coleraine 1 (Shevlin ’39 mins) Larne 1 (Ryan ’69 mins)
  • November 10, 2024 – Larne 2 (O’Neill ’47 mins & McKendry ’63 mins; Coleraine 1 (Glackin ’58 mins)
  • March 15, 2025 – Larne 1 (Ryan ’82 mins) Coleraine 1 (Shevlin ’76 mins)
  • April 12, 2025 – Coleraine 1 (McManus ’40 mins) Larne 2 (Ryan ‘6 mins & O’Neill ’78 mins)

Manager’s Thoughts:

“We’re really, really excited,” Higgins said.

“We’ve enjoyed pre-season; the players have been receptive, staff and everyone around the club.

“But it’s pre-season you don’t get any points for it.

“In terms of expectation, we want to be really, really competitive.

“We feel on our day we’ll be capable of beating anybody but there’s also an element of realism.

“Things don’t just happen overnight. We want it and to happen very quickly but when you have so many new staff, players and everything else, there will be bumps in the road and we have to prepare for that.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Jamie Robinson.

The assistant referees are Adam Jeffrey and Octavian George Neacsu.

Ben McMaster has been selected as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

The match sponsor is Eakin Bros.

The Pals Club have kindly agreed to sponsor the match ball.

The mascots this afternoon are Joshua and Lucas Arthur.

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 HERE.

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

Due to a good crowd expected at The Showgrounds, we encourage both sets of supporters to arrive at the ground in good time 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 12pm to 5pm.

Our caterers – Phat Events – will be serving food from around 1.30pm.

The Mckendry Suite will be open from 11.30am, with the VIP bar and Viewing Lounge open from 1pm.