Not our best performance but the Irish Cup trophy is on our bus, beams Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins
Ruaidhri Higgins admits Coleraine’s performance wasn’t their very best but the most important thing was leaving with the Irish Cup trophy.
The Bannsiders edged out the Swifts in a thrilling five-goal thriller at Windsor Park to get their hands on the famous trophy for the seventh time in the club’s history.
Coleraine led throughout the game but the Swifts kept within touch with two second half goals but the Bannsiders held firm to record the 3-2 success.
“It was a bit too entertaining to watch if that makes sense,” Higgins smiled when asked about the game
“It's not something that we've done this year really…especially when we've got a two goal lead that we've been a wee bit erratic at times.
“But cup finals, that can happen. Let's be honest, since Dungannon qualified for the top six and then they won their semi-final, I know they've had a poor run of the league but they've obviously managed people's minutes.
“They looked really fresh today, you could see that. I thought they were excellent. It wasn't surprising to us at all how good they were in the game.
“We have to thank Ryan Schofield for making a couple of brilliant saves.
“Performance wise, it certainly wasn't their best performance but when you get to that cup final, who cares really?
“It's about getting that trophy back on our bus and getting up the road and celebrating it with our supporters and friends and family.
“That's what cup finals are about…it's about all the people that really care on and off the pitch.”
Higgins was appointed on May 2 last year, meaning he capped off his anniversary with silverware.
With the first trophy in the cabinet under a new era at The Showgrounds, the Coleraine chief believes even more success can come.
He added: “When you finish second in the league, the next step is to actually try and win it.
“There's no guarantees yet, but if you're asking me, is this group capable of going and winning a league, I think we are.
“I think you look at the top managers in the world…they never just settle whenever they've won a trophy. They go and strengthen again and we have to be diligent.
“We don't need wholesale changes but we have to be diligent and try and get the right people into the club.
“I'm so proud of this group, it’s a privilege to manage it as they are so receptive and so hard-working
“Nothing is ever too much of a hassle for them – you can't ask for more than that out of a manager.”