'This team is a bit special': Irish Cup hero backing Coleraine to complete 'hardest to win' task

It was Tolan’s strike after 11 minutes which sealed Bannsiders success against a star-studded Glentoran side looking to complete a clean sweep having already collected Premiership, League Cup and Co Antrim Shield honours.

While Tolan says “the odds were stacked against us” in their Irish Cup decider, Coleraine’s ‘Class of 2026’ very much enter Saturday’s showdown with defending champions Dungannon Swifts as favourites.

As May approaches every year, memories come flooding back to Tolan from the pinnacle of his playing career and that decisive strike at Windsor Park which provided a generation of Coleraine fans with their first taste of major trophy glory.

Coleraine have enjoyed more recent success, winning another Irish Cup and a League Cup crown under Oran Kearney, and there’s a sense that days like these could become a common occurrence following Henry Ross’ acquisition of the Co Londonderry club.

The emotions connected to watching your football team are extreme – both positive and negative – and Tolan was delighted to be able to deliver for Coleraine’s supporters.

"We went into the game with a belief within ourselves, but I think everybody else on the outside didn't give us a chance,” said Tolan. “Glentoran were going for a clean sweep and the odds were stacked against us, but within our team we had a real belief we could do it.

"To score the winner, to bring the cup back up the road, it was just an amazing feeling. The blue and white army were down in their thousands and they got us over the line.

"It was massive for the club. It was over 20 years since they'd last won it and it was a long wait.

"It was emotional for everybody...there were grown men crying in the crowd, people who had never seen Coleraine win something.

"Oran's team went on to win a couple of trophies and kids now maybe get to see a bit more success, but at that time it was a huge achievement for us.

"The first weekend in May was always the pinnacle of the season because you're playing in an Irish Cup final, it's the pinnacle of your career.”

Coleraine have compiled a squad packed full of match-winners under Ruaidhri Higgins – Joel Cooper and Matthew Shevlin showed their class in a semi-final victory over Larne while Will Patching enters Saturday’s contest having scored a hat-trick against Glentoran last weekend.

They’ve already guaranteed a return to European action after finishing second in the Premiership, scoring a league-high 83 goals in the process.

Ross’ vision of turning Coleraine into the Irish League’s leading club is clear and Tolan believes victory on Saturday could be just the start.

"This current Coleraine team is a wee bit special,” he added. “I have watched them all season and they've been super.

"They've had a couple of blips on Boxing Day and away to Dungannon, but apart from those results, they've been outstanding.

"They have goals all around their team and it's a great chance for this team to go and make a name for themselves and hopefully kick on again next season.

"Ruaidhri has done very well. He has identified players who can play in his system and it's credit to him and his backroom staff because they've all gelled brilliantly.

"With the money being put in, you need to be winning trophies, that's the way they're heading.

"The first one is always the hardest to win...if they win this, the next will be easier because the pressure is off and they've ticked one off.

"This is why you bring these players to the club, for big days like these. The quality they have, this is where you want them to unlock that and this is where the big boys stand out. They bring their A-game to finals and the cup back up the road.”

Dungannon enjoyed the most special day in their club’s history 12 months ago, winning a maiden Irish Cup after beating Cliftonville on penalties, but Tolan predicts Coleraine will be celebrating this time around.

"I think Coleraine will win,” he said. “Over the last four or five weeks they've been superb.

"I watched them on Saturday against the Glens and they were outstanding, it was almost like a 10/10 performance.

"If they bring that sort of game to the final, no disrespect to Dungannon, but I think they're going to struggle. I think the big pitch at Windsor Park suits Coleraine and I hope the outcome is a Coleraine win."