Coleraine claim cup glory
Saturday, May 3, 2003
Article summary
Coleraine FC ended Glentoran FC's hopes of a fourth trophy of the season with a 1-0 win in the Irish Cup final.
Article body
Coleraine FC ruined Glentoran FC's hopes of winning their fourth title of the season on Saturday by defeating Roy Coyle's team 1-0 in the Irish Cup Final at Windsor Park.
Hopes ended
Glentoran had already won the League Championship, the CIS Insurance League Cup and the County Antrim Shield but an own goal from their top scorer this season, Andy Smith, deprived them of yet more silverware.
Bright start
Coleraine fully deserved their triumph having started the game the brighter and had the ball in the back of the net in the ninth minute but Gareth McAuley's scrambled effort was ruled out for a foul by Jody Nolan.
Decisve goal
Two minutes later, however, Coleraine scored the decisive goal when Jody Tolan's low shot rebounded off the post and bounced into the net off Smith.
Few chances
Chances were few and far between in the remainder of the first-half and although Tim McCann went close in the 79th minute with a fierce shot that cannoned off the bar, Coleraine held firm to secure a precious victory.
