Coleraine won the Clearer Water Irish Cup for the seventh time in their history by defeating Dungannon Swifts in a thoroughly entertaining final this afternoon.
Two goals from Matthew Shevlin and another from strike partner Joel Cooper helped the Bannsiders to a 3-2 victory over Dungannon Swifts.
Dungannon, who were aiming to become the first club from outside Belfast to win back-to-back Irish Cups in the competition’s 145-year history, just fell short in front of 11,362 spectators at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park.
The Swifts, who won the trophy for the first time last year, created lots of chances and Coleraine keeper Ryan Schofield pulled off some sensational saves to prevent them from retaining the trophy.
Coleraine boss Ruaidhri Higgins created his own piece of history, becoming only the second manager ever to lead teams to major cup success either side of the border. He won the FAI Cup with Derry City back in 2022.
The game started at a cracking pace. Dungannon Swifts keeper Declan Dunne comfortably held a Levi Ives cross in the second minute.
A minute later a crisp drive from Dungannon attacker Sean McAllister bounced off the chest of Coleraine keeper Ryan Schofield, and then Schofield superby pushed a rasping volley from McAllister over the bar.
McAllister and Kealan Dillon linked up well down the left flank. McAllister slipped a pass to Dillon seven yards out but Schofield managed to save his low shot with his foot.
On 11 minutes Dunne had to be alert to push out a low drive from Joel Cooper as Coleraine swept forward.
The Bannsiders opened the scoring in the 19th minute. A clever back-heel from Cooper sent Coleraine captain Lyndon Kane free down the right. Kane fired a low cross into the area where Swifts defender Caolan Marron got in Dunne’s way as he tried to gather the ball and Coleraine striker Matthew Shevlin pounced to steer the loose ball home from close range.
A minute later, down the other end, Schofield produced another outstanding save to keep out a well-struck volley from Leo Alves.
Tiernan Kelly fired a shot well over the top as the Swifts went in search of an equaliser.
Towards the end of the first half the game became a little disjointed, with both teams getting a breather after a frantic opening 35 minutes or so.
There was still time for another counter-attack from Coleraine. Cooper attempted to play Zane Okoro in but Danny Wallace coolly stepped in to clear the danger.
Coleraine extended their lead right at the start of the second half. A long pass from Schofield was flicked on by Shevlin to Cooper, who had got in behind the Dungannon defence, and he raced forward before slamming the ball low into the far corner of the net.
Minutes later Cooper fired a volley well over the top as Coleraine pushed for a third.
Dungannon pulled one back on 55 minutes with a well-worked goal. Alves fired a low cross into the area which was met by McAllister and he laid the ball back to Paul Doyle who superbly curled it into the bottom corner. It was his first goal for the Swifts.
On 60 minutes Coleraine made it 3-1. A pinpoint diagonal ball from Cameron Stewart found Okoro on the left wing. He cut inside and let fly. His low shot deflected off Marron and spun into the path of Shevlin who tucked the ball away from six yards.
In the 63rd minute Shevlin thought he had his hat-trick, however Dunne managed to claw out his strong header. It was a fine stop.
It was 3-2 three minutes later. McAllister crossed the ball into the box where Coleraine substitute Dylan Boyle could only clear it across the six-yard area and Swifts substitute Andrew Mitchell was on hand to make no mistake from close range.
Both defences had to be on their toes as the two sides continued to push forward in the enthralling contest.
Cooper’s long range effort drifted wide and then Coleraine midfielder Will Patching, who had been steadily going about his business during the match, fired a shot straight at Dunne.
Coleraine, with lots of experienced operators in their ranks, managed the game superbly towards the end of the encounter. They slowed things down and kept the ball in the Dungannon half. And that saw them over the line.
Dungannon Swifts: Declan Dunne, Cahal McGinty, Adam Glenny, Daniel Wallace, Caolan Marron, Paul Doyle, Leo Alves, Gael Bigirimana (captain), Tiernan Kelly, Sean McAllister, Kealan Dillon.
Substitutes: (used) Corey Smith, Andrew Mitchell, Shea Gordon, Kobei Moore, James Knowles; (unused) Alex Henderson (GK), Peter Maguire,
Coleraine: Ryan Schofield, Lyndon Kane (captain), Levi Ives, Cameron Stewart, Charles Dunne, Mark Coyle, Ben Wylie, Will Patching, Matthew Shevlin, Zane Okoro, Joel Cooper.
Substitutes: (used) Dylan Boyle, Rowan McDonald, Dean Jarvis; (unused) Lewis Webb (GK), Jamie McGonigle, Mark Connolly, Senan Devine.
Action from Irish Cup Final
