Q Radio Sport
Coleraine have won the Tennent's Irish Cup for the first time since 2003, beating Cliftonville 3-1 in Saturday's final at Windsor Park.
It was third time lucky for the Bannsiders who lost to Linfield in last year's decider - then agonisingly missed out on the league title last week to Crusaders.
The Stripes' goals were scored by Darren McCauley, sub Aaron Burns and Eoin Bradley. Rory Donnelly replied for the Reds.
McCauley broke the deadlock with a spectacular strike early in the second half, his 20th goal of the season...
What a goal! @ColeraineFC Darren McCauley opened the scoring v. @cliftonvillefc in Tennent’s Irish Cup final with a sensational strike and @JMcG_96 even left it for him! pic.twitter.com/brbUaSnfGH
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) May 5, 2018
Aaron Burns played against Coleraine for Linfield in last season's final, but the Banbridge man told Q Radio he's delighted to have made the switch to the Showgrounds and dedicated his goal to the fans...
.@aburnsy_14 is an Irish Cup hero for the 2nd year in a row! Last season v @ColeraineFC with @OfficialBlues but this year he’s 100 per cent Bannsider, “proves people wrong” and dedicates his crucial cup final goal to “amazing fans - that was for them.” pic.twitter.com/VHhLYCaaHw
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) May 5, 2018
Manager Oran Kearney also paid tribute to the Stripes supporters...
.@OranKearney first words after lifting Tennent’s Irish Cup, tribute to @ColeraineFC fans - “the 12th man, they deserve it as much as everybody else.” pic.twitter.com/TBgtfEXpOK
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) May 5, 2018
Noise is deafening as @ColeraineFC fans welcome their heroes - with the @TennentsNI Irish Cup! pic.twitter.com/m9RC8GYZ2n
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) May 5, 2018
Cliftonville will now host Ballymena United in the semi-finals of the Europa League play-offs on Wednesday night.
Linfield face Glentoran at Windsor Park in the other tie, with the final set to be played next Saturday.
Glentoran face Linfield in the semi-final of the Europa league playoffs on Wednesday 9th May. Ticket info coming soon. #COYG 💚❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/p1xoe5hjG1
— Glentoran FC (@Glentoran) May 5, 2018
In other football news, Darren Murray has left Crusaders to sign for his former club, Championship side Portadown.
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