'Operation Blue and White': Fans of Coleraine and Dungannon Swifts feel buzz building as towns decked out in team colours ahead of Irish Cup final
The battle of the blue and white is underway in two different parts of the Province, as Dungannon Swifts prepare to defend their Irish Cup crown against Coleraine.
Fans have festooned their respective areas with their team colours – shared by both the Bannsiders and the Swifts – in the form of bunting, and business owners have told the News Letter that a “buzz” is building in both regions.
The two teams will meet on Saturday at Windsor Park, when Swifts, who won the cup for the first time last year, will be hoping to secure a back-to-back victory against Coleraine, a club that has won the title six times.
Large parts of Coleraine are currently a sea of blue and white as flags have been installed on lampposts, as well as businesses in the town putting up window displays in support of the club.
The match will also be shown live on Saturday on a big screen at the Town Hall.
"Businesses have certainly got behind the club, especially the independent ones, and they deserve so much credit for everything they’ve done,” Stevie Friel, owner of Brunch It restaurant, said.
"The cup final buzz has certainly gripped the town.
"We have got a lot of decorations for our restaurant both inside and outside and it’s certainly drawing customers in.
"There’s a real feel-good factor and I just hope the boys go out and do the business on Saturday.”
Clare Johnston, owner of the Railway Arms pub near the Coleraine Showgrounds, said there’s “a real excitement” in the town ahead of the big final.
She said: “You can feel it in the atmosphere… there are more people talking about the game, a bit more energy on the streets, and a lot of pride in getting behind Coleraine.
"It’s so good to see all the flags and it makes you very proud to see all the businesses getting involved with decorating windows and outside their premises. It’s the kind of occasion that brings the whole community together.
“If Coleraine were to win, it would no doubt bring a further boost to the town, people staying out longer, celebrating, and really making the most of the moment.”
Jonny Fielding, owner of JF Travel, also commented on the spirit within the town.
“The whole town is buzzing with excitement,” he said.
"The shops have all got behind ‘Operation Blue and White’, decorating their windows, and it’s the main topic of conversation everywhere you go.
"The town feels busier, even with people just coming out for a walk to take in all the blue and white displays.”
In south Tyrone, the same phenomenon is emerging, with Dungannon and its surrounds bedecked in the same colours.
At Arlene's Mace in the village of Newmills, "we're supporting the Swifts big time," said office manager Carole Burnside.
Owner Arlene McFarland told the News Letter that she will be at the game herself, which has particular significance for the shop since one of their workers, Daniel Kelly, is a trainee coach at the Swifts Academy.
Ms McFarland, 57 and from Newmills itself, told the News Letter: "We've a girl on site that's good with balloons and she's done balloon arches.
"We're really getting that message out to people that we're Swifts-orientated.
"It gets a bit of buzz about the shop, there's a wee bit of a fun atmosphere.
"And there's a good buzz around the village at the moment with the flags, bunting, the balloons in the shop.
"We wanted to stand out because we wanted to show the locals we're right behind the Swifts on this momentous occasion for them: it's back-to-back history for them, they're a small club that's come a long way over the years.
"It's fantastic to see the community has come together. That's what we're about.
"I'll be there. I'll probably be hoarse by the end of it - I'll be doing my wee bit too.
"It's amazing the journey the Swifts have come on, and it's a credit to Rodney [McAree, the manager] and to his management team and his players, plus the behind-the-scenes people who are very often forgotten about and not talked about.
"They've a great team behind the scenes keeping everything right and getting everything ready."
Barbara McKenzie, principal of Bush Primary School and Nursery Unit to the east of Dungannon, told the News Letter she will be among the crowd at Windsor Park this Saturday.
"It's a huge achievement," she said.
"We're all looking forward to it. I think it just creates a buzz in the town itself."
The school has Swift connections; manager Keith Boyd used to be a school governor, as was his mother.
"Because of that we've really got behind them," said Mrs McKenzie, 49 and from Cookstown.
"I just wish them all the luck in the world."
And if they win?
"We'll be delighted for them. Rodney is a great guy, and Dixie [Robinson, the assistant manager]. They really deserve it.
"The pupils will be over the moon.
"Last year they brought the cup into school - the children got to hold it. It was a great day.
"Rodney used to come here and coach.
"We've been behind the Swifts for years, but particularly this past while whenever they've been doing so well."
Rooting for the other side is Millburn Primary School in Coleraine.
It posted online this week that it had become “a sea of blue and white as our whole school community came together to show support for Coleraine FC ahead of this weekend’s Irish Cup Final”.
The school added: “To say we had the best day would be an understatement - the atmosphere was electric from start to finish…
"What a day for Team Millburn and for Coleraine FC.
"The countdown to the final is well and truly on. C’mon The Bannsiders!”