In a heart-stopping showdown at Windsor Park, Coleraine reclaimed the Irish Cup for the first time since 2018, defeating defending champions Dungannon Swifts 3-2 in a final that had everything—drama, skill, and a relentless pace that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Matthew Shevlin emerged as the hero of the day, netting twice to lead the Bannsiders to their seventh Irish Cup triumph. The striker struck first in the 19th minute, capitalizing on a defensive mix-up between Swifts goalkeeper Declan Dunne and defender Caolan Marron to slot home from close range. The early goal set the tone for a match that would see momentum swing wildly.
Coleraine doubled their lead just a minute into the second half when Joel Cooper fired a low finish from a tight angle after a clever flick from Shevlin. But Dungannon refused to back down. Paul Doyle pulled one back for the holders, reigniting hope among their supporters. However, Shevlin struck again on the hour mark, converting from close range to restore Coleraine's two-goal cushion. Andy Mitchell's late strike for the Swifts set up a tense finale, but the Bannsiders held firm to secure the victory.
The win marks a historic moment for Coleraine, who now enter the UEFA Conference League at the second qualifying stage. Glentoran also benefit from the result, securing a European berth of their own.
The Swifts started brightly, with Sean McAllister testing Coleraine goalkeeper Ryan Schofield twice in the opening minutes—first with a powerful strike and then with an acrobatic effort that forced a fingertip save. Kealan Dillon also had a golden chance but fired straight at Schofield from inside the box. Those early opportunities sparked Coleraine into action, and they soon found their rhythm, with Cooper testing Dunne from close range before Shevlin's breakthrough.
Dungannon nearly responded immediately, as Leo Alves' volley forced a stunning save from Schofield, and Marron's header from the resulting corner rattled the base of the post. But Coleraine's resilience and Shevlin's clinical finishing proved decisive in a final that will be remembered as one of the most thrilling in recent Irish Cup history.