Ruaidhri Higgins highlights special bond within the Coleraine ranks after lifting first trophy as Bannsiders boss
Ruaidhri Higgins admits his side’s performance in the Irish Cup final wasn’t their best showing of the season – but highlighted the importance of returning back up to the north coast with the trophy.
Coleraine managed to see of a valiant Dungannon Swifts side in the showpiece decider after the Bannsiders ran out 3-2 victors in an entertaining affair at Windsor Park.
Goals either side of half-time from Matthew Shevlin and Joel Cooper looked to have Coleraine in the driving seat but Dungannon rallied back for 2-1 and 3-2 after Shevlin netted a second.
However, Coleraine held firm to clinch the trophy for the seventh time in the club’s history and Higgins was quick to praise his goalkeeper Ryan Schofield for making several top-class saves in the opening stages of the game.
“It was a bit too entertaining to watch if that makes sense,” Higgins said about the contest.
“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 Swifts qualified for the top six and then they won their Irish Cup 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.”
Coleraine lost out on the league title by three points this season as Larne collected their third Gibson Cup crown in the last four years.
Higgins’ men were also beaten in the semi-final of the BetMcLean Cup following an extra-time loss to Glentoran at The Oval.
However, a strong end to the campaign has now yielded trophy success and a return to European football for the first time since 2021.
So, what’s the next target for Higgins and his Coleraine side?
He replied: “Hopefully, we can get better and keep improving.
"We got 80 points this year...can we go and get more? That's the next challenge.
"Can we retain the Irish Cup? Can we do well in Europe? This group is certainly capable of achieving those things.
"The next step is, when you win the Irish Cup and you come second in the league, the next step is trying to win the league.
"It's a lot easier said than done. The players will have 10, 12 days off now, then they will get a lovely programme delivered to their phones.
"We'll know very early if they have done it or haven't done it. I would advise them all to do it.”