Irish Cup Quarter Final weekend as Coleraine face the Glens

Coleraine take a break from the league this Saturday as they take on the Glens in the Quarter Final of the Irish Cup    at the Oval.  This will be Coleraine's third away tie in the cup this year, the previous two away games were wins at Limavady and Carrick. The Glens defeated Ballymena United after a replay and then Loughgall, to reach the quarter finals.
 
 
 
Coleraine go into this game unbeaten now in six games, having won three and drawn three since Oran Kearney has taken over. It's been a remarkable run, considering we have been missing Boyce for all these games, McVeigh has missed three of the games whilst Harkness, Canning, Black and Watt have hardly kicked a ball during these games due to Injury. Oran has had to call on young lads from the reserves to come into the squad and Mukendi has been used as a makeshift striker. So the team has been patched up, but well done to them for digging deep and going on this great run.
 
 
 
Saturdays game is massive for both sides, not only is their a place in the semi final at stake, but Coleraine are in the bottom half of the table with the top six looking a step too far and Glentoran are out of the title race, so both teams need a cup run to keep their seasons alive. Coleraine have faced the Glens three times already this season,  we have lost twice and won once, the last meeting came in January and Coleraine won 3-1.
 
 
Glentorans recent form hasn't been to great, however on Tuesday night they got back to winning ways when they defeated Donegal Celtic 4-0 at the Oval. So both sides go into the quarter final on the back of wins. Coleraine's makeshift striker Mukendi goes into the game, having scored four goals in his last five games for Coleraine, he has also scored now in his last three games, so lets hope the big man can continue his scoring run on Saturday.
 
 
 
 
Again Coleraine will be hit by injuries and suspensions for this game, Canning suspended, Black and McVeigh out injured, also still injury doubts are Boyce, Harkness and Watt. Once again Oran will have to call on some younger members of the squad, McIvor has come in and done really well in recent games, considering he is only 17 and playing out of position, sometimes one players loss is another plays gain and gives them a chance to prove their up to the task of playing for Coleraine.
 
 
 
We all love to get to the cup final in May, the whole town is buzzing, players and fans can think of nothing else but cup final day, it brings everyone together, it's the topic on everyone's lips and when you reach the final, no doubt about it, it's the biggest and best day of the year.  Lets hope this season we can reach the final and keep our season alive and the fans dream alive.
 
C'Mon the stripes.
 
 
 

Oran makes a great start - next up, Ballymena round two

When Oran took over Coleraine, he was already up against it, the team had lost three games on the bounce, moral was low, relegation was looming and players were injured.  His first game in charge was away to Ballymena, and to the fans surprise, they saw a different side than what was turning up recently, we battled, chased down every ball and played like a team who was full of confidence, thanks to a Kyle McVey penalty, Coleraine won 1-0 and Oran got off to a great start.

 

Next up for Coleraine and Oran was a trip to championship high flyers Carrick Rangers in the 6th rd of the Irish Cup, a double from Leon Knight and a fantastic lob from new makeshift Striker Marc Mukendi saw Coleraine run out 3-1 winners and enter the Irish Cup quarter finals.  In the draw which followed the game, Coleraine face an away tie in the quarter final against Glentoran.

 

So with two games and two wins, Coleraine's next game came on Monday night at home to Portadown, Coleraine were missing their new captain, David Ogilby, midfielders Hegarty and Black, defender Harkness and Darren Boyce was on the bench, however he was not fully fit. Considering our record against Portadown in recent seasons a team which we can never seem to beat, we were up against it. 

 

Coleraine started of brightly, but soon found themselves a goal down, however Carson levelled things up with a great goal, however as the game went on things got worse for the Stripes, McVey and Canning both went of injured, which saw Boyce having to come on and young McIvor. In the 2nd half, Watt went of injured and Tommons was sent off. So Coleraine had lost three defenders during the game and we ended up with a makeshift side, with players playing out of position, but the players battled well and earned a well deserved point from the game. It keeps Oran and Coleraine's unbeaten run going which will hopefully still be the case after this weekend.

 

Saturday's away game against Ballymena will be Coleraine's 2nd trip there this month, It will be hard to predict what way Coleraine will line up. McVey looks set to miss the rest of the season due to his foot injury against Portadown, Canning who had his nose broken against Portadown will miss out, Watt went of with a hamstring injury against Portadown also.  Darren Boyce is not fully fit and had to come on the other night as we were low in numbers, Black and Harkness have missed recent games also due to injury and Tommons is suspended for this game, so we will be missing key players, so the lads will have to battle and fight to get a win from this derby.

 

In the last four derby's between Coleraine and Ballymena, Coleraine have won all four, two at home and two away. Going into this derby, Coleraine go into this game unbeaten in their last three games under new manager Kearney having won twice and drawn once, where as Ballymena have lost their last two games and not won in their last seven games, there last win was on the 4th Jan at home to Portadown.  However we all know stats and form go out in the window in derby's, as we saw in our win their last week.

 

There is no more point in talking about reaching the top six, we'll take each game as it comes, if we win and teams around us lose, then so be it, there is some massive games coming up, starting with the derby on Saturday, there is also the Quarter Final of the Irish Cup away to Glentoran.  With injuries and suspensions, it's going to take a massive effort over the next month, us the fans can play our part in backing the team.

 

So let's get up in numbers on Saturday and help keep this run going.

When the Stripes go up to lift the Irish Cup

Coleraine FC will have to be up for the cup this Saturday as they travel away to high flying Championship leaders Carrick Rangers. The last time Carrick won the Irish Cup was in the 1975/76 season, Coleraine were last winners in 2003.

 

 

Having seen his Limavady side knocked out by Coleraine in the previous round of the Irish cup, Oran Kearney will take charge of Coleraine in the 6th round as Coleraine look to book their place in the quarter final of the Irish Cup.   Carrick who are managed by Stephen Small are six points clear in the Championship and are on course to get promoted to the premiership, which if they succeed in doing, will be their frist time promoted to the top flight since 2003.  

 

 

Having lost three games in a row, Coleraine sacked Davy Platt and appointed Oran Kearney as manager, Oran got of to a flyer in his first game in charge, as Coleraine traveled and defeated Ballymena on Tuesday night, thanks to a fantastic team performance and penalty from Kyle McVey. Games are now coming thick and fast for Coleraine, having won on Tuesday night in the league Oran takes his side to Carrick on Saturday followed by a home game against Portadown on Monday night and then another trip to Ballymena next Saturday. With some players still injured Oran may not have the luxury of resting players against Carrick or changing the team much, so it's going to be tough for Coleraine in the next week with three games to play.

 

Carrick have a few experienced ex premier league players in their team, Aiden O'Kane, Noel Anderson, McConnell and McAlinden. One to watch will be striker Anto Lagan who has bagged 18 goals this season so far, Carrick who are unbeaten in their last five home games will fancy their chances of causing an upset, where as Coleraine players will be looking to impress the new manager, so it is all set up for a cracking cup tie, let's just hope that Coleraine can produce the same passion, fight and commitment that we showed against Ballymena and can reach the quarter finals.

 

 

Carrick Rangers nickname - The Gers

Stadium - Taylors Avenue

Carrick are unbeaten in their last five home games

Admission will be £8 adults and £5 for Conseccions

Noel Anderson ex Coleraine player, plays for Carrick Rangers

Will it be all OK at Coleraine as new manager arrives - first up Ballymena away

This time last week, we were coming to terms with our defeat and below par performance away to Dungannon, what followed that week took us all by surprise, a gutless display against Dungannon at home on the Tuesday night saw Coleraine lose 3-0.  Coleraine were now in relegation trouble and a top six finish looked so unlikely. 


Then on Thursday night, it came as a surprise to us all when the club announced the departure of manager Davy Platt. It was sad to see Davy depart, we can talk about it all day, was it right, was it wrong, why? etc, however the board issued a statement and their reasons given were "with only 9 wins out of 24 matches, we felt a decision had to be made to turn around the fortunes of the club. Hence, the Board unanimously decided that a managerial change was the correct decision"
 

Davy a Coleraine fan like the rest of us, put so much time and effort into the job and that has to be recognised and appreciated, he also signed some brilliant players and gave us some memorable results.  To see Davy succeed and lift a trophy as Coleraine manager would have being brilliant, we all wanted to see it happen as much as Davy did, unfortunately we never got the luck in the CIS cup final to see this happen.

However as we all know football can change instantly, and a few results in our favour would have seen Davy still Coleraine manager possibly, like recent games, Newry away when we threw away a 2 goal lead, Leon's missed penalty at Dungannon away could have earned us a draw in that game, however these dropped points and a further 3-0 defeat at home to Dungannon seemed to be the final nail in the coffin and the board reacted by wanting a change and freshening things up at Coleraine.
 


On Thursday night and all day Friday, rumours went round, regarding who the new manager would be, Lomas, Kirk, Kearney, McAllister, Flynn and Tommy Wright all these names were mentioned, however on Saturday morning the board announced that following very positive discussions with Oran Kearney they have appointed the former Linfield and Ballymena player on a 12 month rolling contract. Trevor McKendry who was Oran's assistant manager at Limavady, would be taking up the same role at Coleraine and also appointed has been former Linfield, Ballymena United and Crusaders goalkeeper Gregg Shannon as goalkeeping coach.


Oran couldn't have started his Coleraine managerial career with a tougher game, as he takes his side to derby rivals Ballymena tomorrow night, with injuries and suspensions, this is going to be a tough game for Oran and Coleraine to get something from, Ballymena are going well in the league, where as Coleraine are a team in crisis and low on confidence, Roy Walker’s side are sitting fifth after 24 games, and eight points ahead of Coleraine. But this game gives the players a chance to prove to Oran their worth a place in his team and hopefully we will see some improvement and hopefully Coleraine can pick up some points again.
 

After what has happened over the past week, it is now important that everyone belonging to the club now sticks together, from the fans to the players and the management, lets all rally round behind Oran and the team and lets take this club forward again.  Regardless of the result tomorrow night, we are still involved in the Irish Cup, with Carrick away on Saturday and to see a change in the Coleraine team and set up, Oran will need time and certain players in to see this happen.  Let's give him the chance and support him.
 

Finally, lets not forget the efforts and memories from the time Davy was in charge and lets wish him all the best in the rest of his career along with Aidy McLaughlin and Jody Tolan.

Don't be intimidated by the impossibility, Be motivated by the possibility!

After two inept back to back performances from Coleraine against Dungannon on Saturday and last night, fans are now left wondering where is this Coleraine team going, TOP SIX, I don't think so, relegation battle, we'd be silly to say we won't fall into it. Is Davy to blame?, can the players look themselves in the mirror and say after those two games and say I'm not to blame, NO, they can't, has the fans been let down, YES, as it's currently unacceptable to be sitting 10th in the league and after those last two performances, the players have to ask themselves have they fight or passion to improve things.
 
We had the chance since last Saturday to pick up as many points against Dungannon home and away and Lisburn Distillery at home on Friday night, we needed the points if we wanted to climb into the top half of the table, but we have failed badly, and the most we can now get is three points from a possible nine. Dungannon players recently took a wage cut, yet showed more passion, skill, determination and fight in the two games against us, they deserved the six points and for our efforts we deserved what we got, nothing.
 
The club has had financial problems, with postponed fixtures etc, it was vital to finish top six so we would have some big games at home, but with performances like last night and Saturday, fans won't be back to watch that, last nights crowd was down from normal and if we our playing teams in the bottom half of the table for nothing to play for, id expect worse crowds and more financial trouble for Coleraine. We need to stay in the Irish Cup for as long as possible to try and rescue something from this season otherwise we can write it of as a failure, that’s if some haven't already.
 
As mentioned at the Legends Evening last week by an ex player, Coleraine FC shouldn't set out to just make the top six each season, however, we must be in the top six before the split to give ourselves a chance of finishing higher in the table, as it stands, Linfield should win the league, Crusaders, Glentoran and Cliftonville will battle if out for 2nd place, that leaves another two clubs to finish in the top half before the split, Ballymena currently 5th are seven points ahead of us with a game in hand and better goal difference, I would imagine they will make the top half, that leaves Portadown, Glenavon, Dungannon and Lisburn Distillery along with ourselves trying to make the top six.

Currently we our six points of joining the top six.  This week was our chance to close that gap and we have failed massively and the players have let the fans and management down.

We have the following games listed in order to play before the league splits, Lisburn Distillery at home, Ballymena twice away from home, Newry City at home, followed by Donegal Celtic, Linfield and Glenavon away and lastly Crusaders at home.  Worryingly that is only three home games and five away games. The players know what is required and needed to make the top six before the split, the management know what is needed, it's time to step up to the plate, "Don't be intimidated by the impossibility, Be motivated by the possibility "
 
We ain't happy losing games but we can accept it better if we get beat and show some fight, passion and effort, however we ain't seen that recently, at least give us that between now and the end of the season. We the fans I hope will keep backing the side and hopefully sooner or later we are back to winning ways as we know the players have the quality as seen in games against Cliftonville and Glentoran. 

Remaining league games before the league splits

04 Feb Home Lisburn Distillery  19:45
08 Feb Away Ballymena United  19:45
19 Feb Away Ballymena United  15:00
26 Feb Home Newry City  15:00
01 Mar Away Donegal Celtic  19:45
12 Mar Away Linfield  15:00
19 Mar Away Glenavon  15:00
26 Mar Home Crusaders  15:00
 
 
 
 

Double header v Dungannon as Stripes aim to make top six

 
Coleraine will face Dungannon Swifts twice in four days both in the Carling Irish Premiership.  We will travel to play the Swifts in the league on Saturday and on Tuesday night Coleraine will host Dungannon at the Showground's in a rearranged league game, which was called off in December due to the bad weather. These two games are massive and if we can collect six points, then the Stripes will be on course for a top six finish.
 
Giving where both sides are in the league, Coleraine 8th, Dungannon 10th and are only separated by four points with all games equal, these two games are massive for both sides, failure to take at least three or even four points from the two games, could leave Coleraine struggling to make the top six and giving our away form, it's hard to see us getting more than four points from the two games as our recent record at Stangmore Park hasn't been great.
 
It's been frustrating for Davy and his players recently along with the fans, one week were playing, then the next game is called off due to a frozen pitch, it's start stop and it's hard to get any kind of run or form going with the weather continually causing havoc throughout the league. Surely it's come to the stage where the IFA and clubs must get together to discuss an outcome, possibly starting the season earlier, a winter break, CIS cup games midweek, it's something which has to be looked at, as clubs losing Saturday games and having to play them in midweek is financially damaging clubs and a further blow to the local game.
 
Saturday will be our second visit to Stangmore Park this season, the last visit there was in October and Dungannon were comfortable winners that night winning 3-0, last season, in our two visits to Stangmore Park last season we lost one and drew one.  So it's proved a hard place for us to win and hopefully on Saturday we can come away from the game unbeaten and it we are fortunate enough maybe we can take three points.
 
Both sides played on Tuesday night, Coleraine travelled to Limavady in the 5th rd of the Irish Cup and ran out 2-1 winners, with goals from Knight and Carson. Dungannon defeated
 
Match Info
 
Dungannon play there games at Stangmore Park
Coleraine captain Michael Hegarty and David Scullion once played for Dungannon FC
 
 

club news

Coleraine v Portadown was called off last Saturday due to a frozen pitch, which sees another game now to be played midweek and more financial problems for the club.
 
Coleraine have only had one Saturday league game at home now since the end of November
 
Tickets are now on sale to win a brand new VW Fox Supermini, tickets are available priced at £10 from Coleraine Football Club and Supporters Clubs.  This is a fundraiser for Coleraine Football Club.
 
Thursday night in the club is the Carling Legends night - Tickets are still available and free, they can be collected at Coleraine Social Club.
 
This Friday night in the club the Coleraine Academy are hosting a quiz night, starting at 7.30pm, everyone wlecome along.
 
On Saturday Coleraine are away to Dungannon Swifts in the Carling Premiership
 
Next Tuesday night Coleraine are home to Dungannon Swifts in the Carling Prermiership.