In the Semi Finals played at Clyde Park Garvagh, they met a strong East Antrim Battalion side. In a very close encounter Coleraine took an early lead when Jonathan Lever forced the ball home from close range. The strong Coleraine forward line were forcing the East Antrim defensive line into errors and one such error resulted in a penalty for Coleraine. The Antrim keeper however made a fine save from the resulting spot kick .
Boasted by this the Antrim boys got back into the game a short time later when their Centre forward followed in on the rebound after a fine save from Jamie Cunningham in the Coleraine goal. Coleraine took the lead again 10 minutes before half time, Ryan Hargy whipped in a fine free kick, which Coleraine Captain Craig Witherow headed powerfully into the roof of the net.
Antrim continued to pressure the Coleraine Defence and were rewarded with an equaliser early in the Second Half, 2-2. The game ebbed and flowed with good chances at both ends of the pitch, however with 12 minutes remaining, Coleraine’s Adam Hutton powered down the right wing and whipped in a low cross which Josh Greene slotted into the bottom corner of the net to make the score 3-2 to Coleraine. A thrilling last 10 minutes saw the Coleraine defence under immense pressure but they held out to seal a memorable victory.
-- John McFadden Recreation Convener