For Lyndon Kane, the memory is both painful and proud. Hobbling down the touchline in a suit, crutches raised high, he could only watch as his Coleraine teammates celebrated a 3-1 Irish Cup final victory over Cliftonville in 2018. Now, six years later, the Bannsiders captain has his eyes set on lifting the trophy himself.

Injuring his metatarsal just two weeks before that showpiece day at Windsor Park, Kane was cruelly ruled out of what became one of the club's greatest triumphs. He had scored in the semi-final win over Larne, but a medal eluded him as he wasn't in the matchday squad. "As a fan, I take great satisfaction from that 2018 win," he reflects, but the competitive fire still burns.

Fast forward to this Saturday, and the script has flipped dramatically. Kane is now the captain, one of only two players remaining from that victorious squad. He'll lead his hometown club into battle against Dungannon Swifts, desperate to write a new chapter of Irish Cup glory.

The 2018 final was a classic. Darren McCauley's stunning volley put Coleraine ahead, only for Rory Donnelly to equalize. But substitutes Aaron Burns and Eoin Bradley combined for the winner before Bradley's late solo run sealed the deal, sending the Coleraine end into delirium. That team had ended a 15-year trophy drought, coming agonizingly close to league success after finishing second in the Premiership with just one loss all season.

Now, Kane has the chance to experience it all from the pitch—and this time, he aims to be the one lifting silverware for the Bannsiders faithful.