Image source, PacemakerImage caption, Matthew Shevlin celebrates after scoring Coleraine's winning goal
ByStephen AlexanderBBC Sport NI contributor- Published24 minutes ago
A Matthew Shevlin goal in the second period of extra time gave Coleraine a 2-1 win over Larne at Windsor Park on Saturday to book their place in this year's Irish Cup final.
The substitute found the net with eight minutes remaining to ensure the Bannsiders would face holders Dungannon Swifts in this year's showpiece decider on 2 May, with European qualification also on the line.
Joel Cooper had fired Coleraine ahead in the first half, with Matty Lusty equalising for the Invermen in the second period.
For Coleraine, it will be a first Irish Cup final appearance for the first time since they last lifted the trophy in 2018, but for Larne the wait for a first-ever Irish Cup success goes on.
Gary Haveron's men will now concentrate their efforts on trying to secure a third Irish Premiership title in four years, with their ambitions of a possible league and cup double now at an end.
Dungannon beat Cliftonville 4-3 on penalties after their semi-final ended 1-1 on Friday night.
Thrilling last-four tie
Larne almost went in front inside three minutes when Jordan McEneff intercepted a slack ball out from defence.
He laid the ball off to Andy Ryan who cut inside but his fierce left-foot shot was brilliantly palmed away by Coleraine keeper Ryan Schofield, diving to his right.
The English keeper excelled again minutes later as he sprang across his goal to divert Sean Graham's stinging volley away from goal, following a Jordan McEneff long throw.
After that bright Larne opening, it was Coleraine who went in front on 13 minutes.
Cameron Stewart played the ball out from defence to Will Patching, who took a lovely first touch before slipping an inch-perfect pass into the run of Joel Cooper who took a touch before firing a rising shot past Rohan Ferguson high into the net.
Larne thought they had equalised 10 minutes before the interval when Chris Gallagher's through ball bisected the Coleraine defence with Matty Lusty running on to round Ryan Schofield and slot home but the referee's assistant's flag was already raised.
Larne started the second period on the front foot and looked to have equalised when Tomas Cosgrove's cross from the right flicked off Coleraine's Rowan McDonald and looked to be heading into his own net before Schofield once again showed tremendous agility to dive to his right and claw the ball clear.
The East Antrim side deservedly levelled on 62 minutes when McEneff's cross from the right fell to Matty Lusty and although his first shot was blocked, the striker reacted quickly to fire past Schofield.
Coleraine spurned a huge chance in the first period of extra time as Shevlin ran on to Will Patching's through ball and forced a save from Ferguson. As the ball popped loose, Matt Ridley attempted to chest the ball back to his goalkeeper who then had to block from Cooper's follow-up effort.
But Shevlin had the final say with eight minutes remaining in extra time when he was on hand to bundle home from close range after Ferguson failed to clear Mark Coyle's angled cross from the right.
