COLERAINE faced top-tier opposition in their second Super Cup fixture, taking on a high-calibre Category A Blackburn Rovers side at Bushmills…

Despite a battling performance, the young Bannsiders fell to a 2–0 defeat.

They started brightly on a rain-slicked surface, moving the ball confidently and creating the first clear chance. A well-delivered free-kick was met by Conor Kelly, whose header was safely held by the goalkeeper. Coleraine continued to threaten, particularly from wide areas, delivering dangerous balls into the box.

Conan McKeever came closest in the first half, crashing a shot off the crossbar after a loose ball from a corner. But Blackburn showed their quality on the counter. In the 26th minute, they broke quickly and finished clinically from a tight angle to take the lead.

Just before the break, Blackburn nearly doubled their advantage with a looping effort that looked destined for the top corner, but Harry McBride reacted superbly, tipping it over the bar to keep the score at 1–0 going into half-time.

Conor Kelly was forced off at half-time through injury, and further substitutions between the 40th and 45th minutes injected fresh energy into the Coleraine side.

However, just moments after the final changes, Blackburn pounced again — capitalising on a turnover to double their lead with a well-placed strike from 18 yards in the 50th minute.

Despite the setback, Coleraine finished strongly. A dramatic goalmouth scramble saw three efforts cleared off the line, and in the dying moments another chaotic passage in the box was denied only by a superb save from the Blackburn keeper. Josh Adams also came agonisingly close, fizzing a low shot just wide of the far post.

While the result didn’t go their way, the boys showed real determination, discipline, and resilience against elite-level opposition. Plenty of positives to take into the remainder of the tournament.

A big thank you once again to all the families and supporters who continue to back the team throughout the week.

STARTING XI: Harry McBride, Christy Moore, Ty McConaghy, Dylan McIlroy, Harry Blair, Josh Adams, Conan McKeever, Cahir Carton, Norrie Stewart, Joe Gray, Conor Kelly.

Substitutes Used: Harry Hunt, Callum Parke, Eoin McAleese, Corey O’Neill, Cahan O’Kane, Daniel Caskey.