Night of drama at Inver Park as Coleraine seal Cup semi spot
Superb advert for local football as sides bag eight goals between them
It was an eight-goal thriller as Tennent’s Irish Cup holders Coleraine staged a superb second half comeback to book their spot in the semi-finals.
David McDaid bagged a hat-trick for Larne but their efforts fell short as a double from Eoin Bradley, two goals from Jamie McGonigle and an own goal helped the Bannsiders progress after extra time.
After a cagey start, the home side settled the better, finding the net in the opening ten minutes but Lee Lynch’s effort was denied for offside.
David McDaid had a further opportunity for Larne on 14 minutes. Ben Tilney’s cross found the striker inside the area but his glancing header went wide.
The home side were rewarded on 21 minutes as McDaid fired Larne in front. Lee Lynch’s cross evaded the Coleraine defence and found the striker in space at the back post and he poked his effort towards goal. Chris Johns saved the initial attempt but McDaid poked home the rebound.
In a matter of minutes, the home side could have extended their lead. Tomas Cosgrove’s low cross caused problems for the Coleraine defenders, falling to McDaid who forced Johns into a great reaction save to deny the goal.
The Irish Cup holders looked all but out of the tie as a contest after 31 minutes as they fell further behind. Ben Tilney’s low cross to the back post found McDaid post and the ex-Coleraine man made no mistake with the finish, firing Larne two ahead.
At half time, Larne were in the ascendency as Coleraine had no answer to the intensity of their Championship opponents.
The home side looked to have grabbed a third on 47 minutes. Ben Tilney crossed for Jeff Hughes who flicked the ball towards goal with a back heel forcing a great save from Chris Johns.
Larne looked like scoring with every flowing attack and they were almost rewarded on 52 minutes. A great breakaway from McDaid allowed the striker to release Tomas Cosgrove who ran into the box, finding Jeff Hughes but his attempt was blocked by Coleraine defender Mark Edgar.
The Bannsiders responded on the hour mark via Eoin Bradley. A spell of pressure from the visitors had Larne on the back foot. A ball into the box allowed Bradley to roll his man inside the area before firing home.
McDaid forced Johns into action once again midway through the second half before Eoin Bradley looked to have levelled the tie. The striker latched onto Jamie McGonigle’s flick on before making a bustling run into the box but his attempt flew over.
McGonigle had an attempt of his own shortly after as he robbed his man but his effort was well saved by Connor Devlin.
The Bannsiders piled on the pressure and were awarded a penalty on 82 minutes after Stephen Lowry was fouled inside the area. Eoin Bradley took the spot kick and made no mistake with the finish firing the ball straight down the middle to pull the tie level at two all.
Moments later, Larne regained the lead as McDaid (pictured above) bagged his hat-trick to all but secure Larne’s place in the semi-final of the Tennent’s Irish Cup but not so, as Jamie McGonigle levelled in injury time with a spectacular strike to send the Bannsiders wild.
In the third minute of extra time Coleraine grabbed the lead via an own goal. Josh Carson had an attempt on goal but his effort was deflected into the back of the net by Larne winger Ben Tilney.
Soon after, Larne looked to have levelled as Huddersfield loanee Dominic Tear found himself in space inside the area but Chris Johns produced an expert save to deny the shot.
Coleraine grabbed their fifth goal of the game in the second half of extra time via Jamie McGonigle. The Bannsiders launched a counter attack from a Larne corner as Bradley raced up the pitch. The striker held the ball up and released McGonigle who surged into the box and produced an expert finish to secure the win in what proved to be a fantastic advertisement for Irish League football.
LARNE FC: Devlin (GK) (c), Sule, Ramsey, McEleney, Kelly, McDaid (Stewart ‘89), Donnelly Igiehon ‘78), Tilney (Scullion ‘98), Lynch, Cosgrove (Tear ‘71), Hughes
Subs not used: Dougherty (GK), Stuart, Hasson
COLERAINE FC: Johns (GK), Lowry, Bradley, McConaghie, Burns (McLaughlin ‘87), O’Donnell (c), Canning, B. Doherty, Edgar (Mullan ‘90), Glackin (Carson ‘46), Shiels (McGonigle ‘57)
Subs not used: Doherty (GK), Parkhill, King
Referee: Andrew Dave