So near, yet so far for Coleraine ...

By Aaron O’Neill at Mourneview Park

Coleraine had to settle for second place in the 2017/18 Danske Bank Premiership after Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Glenavon.

It was a closely-fought encounter at Mourneview Park as both sides headed into the game with much at stake. The home side could cement their European Spot while the Bannsiders still had the Gibson Cup to play for.

The opening chance of the game fell to Glenavon inside two minutes as Joel Cooper evaded the challenge of Adam Mullan before firing straight at Chris Johns.

Cooper continued to terrorise the Coleraine defence and almost carved out an opportunity midway through the first-half but to no avail.

The Bannsiders had a chance of their own on the half-hour mark as Aaron Burns tried his luck only to be denied by Simon Kelly’s block.

Moments later Darren McCauley let fly from 18 yards with his effort glancing the top of the crossbar.

Glenavon looked to have grabbed the advantage on 38 minutes. Bobby Burns flick on was met by Cooper but he fired into the side netting.

Coleraine turned defence into attack as Stephen Dooley threatened but his effort trickled wide of the upright.

Oran Kearney’s side could have went in-front just before the interval as Ian Parkhill’s rasping effort forced a world class save from Tuffey in the Glenavon goal.

Both sides had chances in the opening period in what was an end to end encounter at Mourneview Park, however the scores remained nil apiece at the break.

Glenavon started the brighter of the sides in the second-half and should have taken the lead. Mark Sykes’ run from deep allowed him to strike from distance forcing Johns to parry into the path of Mitchell however the striker was denied by a last ditch block from Stephen O’Donnell.

The home side had to make a change early in the second-half as Stephen Murray replaced the injured Mitchell.

Gary Hamilton’s men continued their pressure as Murray went close but the striker failed to hit the target. Moments later Mark Sykes tried his luck but his effort was saved by Johns.

The Bannsiders failed to get a foot hold in the second-half as Kearney introduced Ciaron Harkin and Jamie McGonigle as the visitors searched for an inroad into the game.

As the game drew to a close it looked more and more likely that the game was going to end goalless.

Jamie McGonigle had a chance for the Bannsiders on 88 minutes but his effort was turned behind by Tuffey.

The result means that Crusaders are crowned league champions after their comeback win against Ballymena United.

Coleraine will be disappointed however their tremendous season continues as they find themselves now 27 games unbeaten with an Irish Cup Final to look forward to on May 5.

Bannsiders' boss Oran Kearney (pictured) told Downtown and Cool FM that he was "so proud" of his players right throughout the season.

GLENAVON FC: Tuffey (c), Burns, Kelly, Doyle, Marshall, Mitchell (Murray ’50), Hall (Daniels ’56), Sykes, Clingan, Cooper, Singleton

Subs not used: Griffin, Marron, McGrory

COLERAINE FC: Johns, Mullan, McConaghie, Smith (McGonigle ’54), McCauley, Burns, O’Donnell (c), Parkhill (Harkin ’69), Traynor (Douglas ’85), Dooley, Lyons

Subs not used: Ogilby, Doherty

Referee: Ian McNabb