Irish Cup QF: Coleraine fend off Glentoran to book place in last 4
Last updated 14th Mar 2018
Coleraine booked their place in the last 4 of the Tenent’s Irish Cup after Tuesday night’s quarter-final win over Glentoran. Darren McCauley’s early strike was enough to ensure victory for Oran Kearney’s side.
The Bannsiders will face Larne in the semi –final whilst the winners will progress to face either Cliftonville or Loughgall in May’s showcase final.
Coleraine started the brighter of the two sides and threatened after a minute but Elliot Morris was able to gather Ciaron Harkin’s effort.
The home side mounted the pressure and their efforts were rewarded on 9 minutes. Some intricate play from the Bannsiders allowed Jamie McGonigle to lay the ball into the path of Darren McCauley who rattled the ball into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
The Bannsiders should have doubled their advantage on 14 minutes. A loose ball fell to McCauley inside the area but the midfielder failed to find the target.
Glentoran weathered the storm and could have been level shortly after the half hour mark. Alex O’Hanlon’s pinpoint pass picked out the run of Curtis Allen who watched his lobbed attempt drop onto the roof of the net.
The Glens had a great chance on the stroke of half-time. Alex O’Hanlon’s in-swinging free-kick forced Chris Johns to punch away from danger before.
Coleraine failed to clear and the Glens looked to have pulled one back only to be denied by Aaron Traynor’s last ditch clearance.
As the half-time whistle sounded Glentoran were in the ascendency however Oran Kearney’s men defended astutely and deserved their advantage at the interval.
The Bannsiders appealed for a penalty early in the second-half as Jamie McGonigle went down inside the area but referee Raymond Crangle deemed there to be no foul on the frontman.
Ronnie McFaul’s men should have been level moments later. Robbie McDaid with a golden opportunity as the ball dropped to the striker inside the box but his snap shot sailed wide.
Glentoran continued to test the Coleraine defence and their efforts were almost rewarded on 69 minutes. Curtis Allen picked up the ball outside the area before whistling a strike just past the post.
Oran Kearney looked to the bench for inspiration as Ian Parkhill and Aaron Burns entered the fray. Parkhill almost had an immediate impact but his rasping effort was blocked en-route to goal.
Darren McCauley threatened for the Bannsiders moments later only to be denied by a smart save from Elliot Morris.
Ciaron Harkin blazed over for Coleraine before Elliot Morris denied the home side doubling their advantage.
Glentoran turned defence immediately into attack but Curtis Allen’s misdirected header drifted wide after a great delivery from Dylan Davidson.
Steven Gordon had a huge chance to level proceedings with only minutes to play but he fired straight at Johns.
Eoin Bradley looked to have put the tie to bed on 89 minutes as he showed great strength in holding off his man before dragging his effort wide.
Moments later Curtis Allen went close for the Glens but his effort was saved by Johns. The goalkeeper was called into action moments later this time denying substitute Daniel Kelly.
Coleraine held on in the closing minutes to book their place in the semi-final of the competition where they will face Larne who ran out 2-1 winners over Ballymena United.
COLERAINE FC: Johns, Kane, Harkin, McCauley, Bradley, Carson (Parkhill ’72), McConaghie, Lyons, O’Donnell, Traynor, McGonigle (Burns ‘65)
UNUSED SUBS: Mullan, Douglas, Ogilby, Smith, Doherty
GLENTORAN FC: Morris, Kerr, Birney, Redman, Addis, McGuigan, Allen, O’Hanlon (Kelly ’82), McDaid (Davidson ’77), Gordon, Kane
UNUSED SUBS: Nelson, McMullan, McCawl, Ferrin, Nelson, Davidson
REFEREE: Raymond Crangle