Open top bus parade & Ogilby farewell

COLERAINE FC would like to release the following news to supporters…

After discussion with the local police the following has been agreed.

The cavalcade will commence at 6.30pm this Friday evening from New Row Presbyterian Church inside the pedestrian zone. It will proceed along New Row, Main Street, The Diamond, Queen Street where the parade will stop at the end of the pedestrian zone.

At this point the bus will join the normal traffic flow. There will be no road closures or stoppage of traffic and it is vital that fans understand this and adhere to the Highway Code for their own and others safety.

This has been agreed as to ask for road closures or have the cavalcade on open roads would necessitate a traffic plan which we as a club would be required to pay for, and for the policing of the event.

Following that, supporters and families will be able to get photographs taken with the Irish Cup trophy.

At 8pm, Coleraine will be playing Lisahally FC in David Ogilby’s farewell match. OG will be joining his former club at the end of the season after making 233 appearances for the Bannsiders over 8 yyears.

Admission to the match is free with each half lasting 30 minutes. Buckets will be available for those who wish to give the popular centre-half a send off.

Coleraine boss Oran Kearney paid tribute to Ogilby and was delighted to see the defender clinch success at the weekend.

”OG has been here right throughout my spell at the club,” Kearney said.

”He has seen the highs and the lows, but I’m sure he was delighted at the weekend.

”We wanted to give him this match as a token of our appreciation and we ask supporters to give as generously as they can.”

Ogilby insists he has enjoyed every minute of his time in blue and white and the Irish Cup triumph was the icing on the cake.

”I have enjoyed my time as a Coleraine player but all things must come to an end,” Ogilby added.

”I’ve had a great eight years here and the club has been brilliant to me.

”I feel last weekend was the perfect way to bow out and I promised my friends that I’d play for their team once I left Coleraine.

”I’m sure Friday will be emotional and it will be strange not coming over the mountain for training, but I can finally say I picked up silverware.”