In a heart-stopping finale at Windsor Park, Coleraine reclaimed the Irish Cup for the first time since 2018, edging out defending champions Dungannon Swifts 3-2 in a match that had everything—drama, goals, and a hero wearing the No. 9 jersey.
Matthew Shevlin was the man of the moment, bagging a brace that powered the Bannsiders to their seventh Irish Cup triumph. The victory not only secures silverware but also books Coleraine’s ticket to the UEFA Conference League’s second qualifying round, with Glentoran also earning a European spot as a result.
The action kicked off early, with Dungannon Swifts looking sharp from the whistle. Sean McAllister tested Coleraine goalkeeper Ryan Schofield twice in the opening minutes, first with a stinging drive and then with an acrobatic effort that required a tip over the bar. Kealan Dillon also had a golden chance but fired straight at Schofield from close range.
Those early scares sparked Coleraine into gear. Joel Cooper forced a save from Declan Dunne on 11 minutes, and the pressure paid off on 19 minutes when Shevlin capitalized on a defensive mix-up between Dunne and Caolan Marron, nipping in to slot home after a low cross from Lyndon Kane caused chaos.
Dungannon nearly hit back immediately. Leo Alves met a deep cross from Adam Glenny with a volley that Schofield stretched to turn over, and from the resulting corner, Marron glanced a header off the base of the post. It was a warning Coleraine heeded.
The second half exploded into life just a minute after the restart. Shevlin flicked the ball into the path of Cooper, who finished low from inside the box to double the lead. But Dungannon refused to fold—Paul Doyle pulled one back, setting the stage for a frantic finish.
Shevlin then struck again on the hour mark, converting from close range to restore Coleraine’s two-goal cushion. Andy Mitchell’s late strike for Dungannon set up a nervy finale, but the Bannsiders held firm to lift the trophy in style.
For fans of the beautiful game, this was a final to remember—a showcase of resilience, skill, and the kind of edge-of-your-seat drama that makes cup football so special. Whether you were cheering from the stands or watching from home, one thing’s clear: Coleraine’s return to glory is a story worth celebrating.