Irish Cup final: Lydon Kane aiming for Irish Cup glory after missing out in 2018

After featuring in three of their five games on the way to the final, Kane was forced to be just a regular spectator on cup final day, but under then manager Oran Kearney, his team delivered for the injured defender.

The Bannsiders went into the final desperate to end a 15-year wait for silverware and with a talented squad that had come close to success in the league and cup.

They lost the 2017 Irish Cup final 3-0 against Linfield and finished second in the Irish Premiership in the 2017-18 season, losing just one game but coming in two points behind eventual champions Crusaders.

They went ahead early in the second half of the decider as midfielder Darren McCauley volleyed home one of the finest final goals.

Cliftonville’s Rory Donnelly equalised from close-range soon after, but substitute Aaron Burns restored their advantage after a tidy flick from Bradley.

The striker then sealed a famous victory with a late third, racing through from the halfway line after the Reds had pushed forward in search of another equaliser before deftly lifting the ball over Brian Neeson.

Queue pandemonium from the Coleraine fans behind the goal as well as the players and management team, with Kearney famously charging down the touchline to join in celebrations for their first Irish Cup win since 2003.

It was even more special for the local lads like Kane, Jamie McGonigle and Brad Lyons, who had helped bring the trophy back to the north coast.

“I got halfway down [the touchline for the pile on] and had to meet them on the way back!” Kane told BBC Sport NI.

“It was disappointing [to miss out] but me, as a fan, I still take great satisfaction.

“As a player you want to play every big game, but probably my connection with the club and the fact we still won it, I know how much it means to the people and the town.”