Season Beginnings

COLERAINE kick-start their Danske Bank Premiership campaign tomorrow afternoon as Cliftonville are the visitors to The Showgrounds (KO 3pm)…

Danske Bank Premiership

Overview:

The fixture will mark the opening day of the new Danske Bank Premiership season as Coleraine welcome Cliftonville to the Ballycastle Road. The Bannsiders finalised their pre-season schedule last weekend with wins against Glebe Rangers and Coagh United. Oran Kearney dipped his toes into the transfer market throughout the week as Emmett McGuckin put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal. However, there were two departures as Jamie McGonigle joined Crusaders, with Jack Bradley also leaving The Showgrounds. As for Cliftonville, they will be buoyed by their European campaign which included a win over Barry Town United in the preliminary round. The Reds have been busy adding to their matchday panel as Seanna Foster, Conor McDermott, Ronan Doherty, and Ronan Wilson are all new arrivals at Solitude. A minute’s tribute will be held in memory of former Cliftonville boss Tommy Breslin who sadly passed away last Wednesday.

Recent meetings:

The two clubs clashed five times last season, with the first back in August 2018 as an Aaron Burns double earned a 2-1 at Solitude, before the Reds reversed that scoreline at The Showgrounds in October. The Stripes sealed all three points on New Year’s Day via goals from Eoin Bradley, Stephen Lowry, Aaron Canning and James McLaughlin, however, the Reds were victorious in the post-split fixture as they registered a 4-2 success at Solitude. The last meeting was in the semi-final of the European play-off and Cliftonville earned a 5-3 success after extra-time, despite a superb hat-trick from James McLaughlin.

Team News:

Bannsiders boss Oran Kearney will have new signing Emmett McGuckin at his disposal and it is hoped that he will have a fully fit squad to choose from.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“It will be a tough game,” Kearney said.

“Cliftonville have made good progress under Paddy McLaughlin and will have a spring in their step after getting through a round in Europe.

“They are a dangerous side with a lot of firepower in Joe Gormley and Rory Donnelly.”

Admission:

Supporters are reminded that entry is via valid matchday cards/season tickets only.

Admission for using a matchday card is £12 adults, £8 concessions.

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