Irish Cup Final Report: Coleraine 3 - 1 Cliftonville

Odhrán Crumley reports from National Stadium at Windsor Park

Coleraine won the Irish Cup for the first time since 2003 with a scintillating second-half performance to see of Cliftonville.

Oran Kearney’s men put last weekend’s league disappointment behind them to cap a dream season with an Irish Cup victory.

Darren McCauley gave the Bannsiders the lead before Ruaidhri Donnelly equalised.

Aaron Burns put Coleraine back in front before Eoin Bradley put the icing on the cake with a fantastic dinked finish with the last kick of the game.

Cliftonville started the game brightest and dominated the early stages and majority of the first half.

The Reds won early free kicks in promising areas but Chris Johns was sharp off of his line, rising highest to claim them in the area.

Bradley had a chance after eight minutes after some confusion between Brian Neeson and Jamie Harney but his effort went over the bar, resting on top of the net.

Midway through the half Ruaidhri and Jay Donnelly combined to win a corner which Chris Curran swung in.

The ball reached Tomas Cosgrove but his half volleyed effort went just over the top.

On the half hour mark Coleraine were dealt a blow as Stephen Dooley was stretchered off.

Coleraine had the last chance of the half with a free kick around 25 yards from goal but Eoin Bradley’s effort was straight at the wall.

It remained scoreless as the teams went in at the break.

Oran Kearney’s side began the second half with a bang and they made the breakthrough five minutes into the half.

Aaron Traynor cut the ball back towards Darren McCauley, who unleashed an unstoppable half volleyed effort into the top right hand corner of the net.

Four minutes later Cliftonville replied through Ruaidhri Donnelly who profited from a mazy Tomas Cosgrove run to fire into the empty net.

Coleraine responded through Brad Lyons but his effort was blocked as the game really opened up with some end to end play.

Barry Gray’s side had a chance to take the lead in the 65^th minute as Chris Curran and Joe Gormley combined in the area but the latter’s effort was weak under the challenge of Gareth McConaghie.

Minutes later, Conor McDonald burst into the area and had his cross caught by the superb reflexes of the Coleraine stopper.

In the 77^th minute those in blue and white were sent into pandemonium as Chris Johns set up a counter attack with a long kick.

That kick allowed Burns in clean through on goal were he made no mistake firing into the bottom left corner of the net.

Cliftonville pushed for an equaliser as we entered four minutes of additional time.

But in the final minute of the game with Cliftonville in full press, Shane Grimes misjudged a header which allowed Bradley in behind.

Bradley carried the ball from the half way line showing real finesse, flair and composure to dink the ball over Neeson.

Those in blue and white celebrated as the bench emptied to join the celebrations, with the win all but confirmed.

Arnold Hunter then brought the game to an end with the sound of his whistle confirming the destination of the Irish Cup for 2018.

Cliftonville: Brian Neeson; Levi Ives (Shane Grimes 84), Garry Breen (Ruairi Harkin 84), Jamie Harney, Chris Curran (Stephen Garrett 72); Liam Bagnall, Joe Gormley, Jay Donnelly; Tomas Cosgrove, Conor McDonald, Ruaidhri Donnelly.

Subs not used: Jamie McGovern, Jude Winchester, Declan Dunne, Ross Lavery.

Booked: Chris Curran (27), Jamie Harney (42).

Coleraine: Chris Johns, Adam Mullan, Ciaron Harkin, Darren McCauley (Martin Smith 88), Eoin Bradley, Gareth McConaghie, Brad Lyons, Stephen O’Donnell, Aaron Traynor, Jamie McGonigle (Aaron Burns 60), Stephen Dooley (Ian Parkhill 31).

Subs not used: Steven Douglas, David Ogilby, Matthew Kirk, Michael Doherty.

Booked: Stephen O’Donnell (5), Adam Mullan (21), Jamie McGonigle (45), Brad Lyons (59), Gareth McConaghie (76), Martin Smith (88).

Referee: Arnold Hunter.

Attendance: 10,500 (Estimate).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Gareth McConaghie (Coleraine).