Introduction to the Irish Cup Final
Dungannon Swifts secured the Irish Cup for the first time in their history in 2025.
The premier event in Northern Ireland's football calendar is imminent as Coleraine prepare to face the reigning champions, Dungannon Swifts, in the Irish Cup final at Windsor Park on Saturday.
The Bannsiders aim to claim the trophy for the first time since 2018, having finished second in the league following a strong finish to their domestic campaign.
Meanwhile, the Swifts seek to defend the title they won for the first time in their history in last year's dramatic final.
This promises to be a compelling match-up, and ahead of the event, NI provides all the essential information about the final.
How to Follow the Final Across the BBC
The Irish Cup final will commence at 14:30 BST at Windsor Park and will be played to a conclusion, with extra time and penalties possible.
The match will be broadcast live on BBC Two NI, BBC , and the NI website.
Stephen Watson will host the studio coverage alongside Linfield manager David Healy, recently appointed Portadown manager David Jeffrey, and Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton.
Thomas Kane will provide commentary with Limavady United midfielder Philip Lowry, who has won the Irish Cup six times during his spells with Linfield and Crusaders.
Pitchside reaction will be gathered by Nicola McCarthy.
Radio listeners can tune in via BBC Radio Ulster and .
Eric White will present the radio studio coverage with Loughgall manager Darren Murphy and Colin Coates, who captained Crusaders to two Irish Cup victories.
Joel Taggart will commentate alongside Larne manager Gary Haveron and Liam Beckett, who won the Irish Cup as a player with Coleraine.
Live text commentary with in-play clips will be available on the NI website, with a full match report, highlights, and reaction to follow after the final whistle.
How Both Teams Reached the Final
Dungannon Swifts began their Irish Cup defence with a straightforward 3-0 win over Championship side Ards at Stangmore Park, with first-half goals from Sean McAllister, Junior, and Tiernan Kelly.
Rodney McAree's team then overcame a deficit in the sixth round to defeat Portadown 2-1, with McAllister scoring again and Andrew Mitchell netting the winner.
Steven Scott, Cahal McGinty, and Kobei Moore contributed goals in a 3-0 victory over H&W Welders to secure a place in the semi-finals.
In a repeat of the 2025 final, Dungannon defeated Cliftonville 4-1 on penalties to reach the final once more, with goalkeeper Declan Dunne saving two spot kicks in the shootout.
Coleraine started their campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory over a 10-man Crusaders side at the Showgrounds in January.
Following Brendan Hamilton's sending off for Crusaders, Mark Connolly, Will Patching, James Akitunde, and Joel Cooper all scored to ensure a comfortable progression to the sixth round.
Ruaidhri Higgins' squad required extra time to overcome Carrick Rangers 4-1 at Taylors Avenue, with substitute Matthew Shevlin scoring a hat-trick to secure the win.
Cooper and Shevlin both scored in a 2-0 quarter-final win against Championship side Limavady and again in the extra-time 2-1 semi-final victory over Larne at Windsor Park.
Form Guide
Coleraine have been the in-form team heading into the final, currently enjoying a nine-game unbeaten streak across all competitions.
Higgins' side won all five matches in the league split, including a dominant 6-2 victory over Glentoran on the final day, which secured second place and qualification for European football for the first time since 2022.
The Bannsiders have won three of the four league meetings against Dungannon this season, including a 2-1 win at Stangmore Park in March.
Their unbeaten run began following a 3-1 defeat to McAree's side in February.
Conversely, Dungannon experienced a challenging conclusion to their league campaign, finishing sixth without a win in the split.
With the Irish Cup final in focus, McAree rotated his squad in the final league fixtures, fielding a youthful team that suffered an 8-0 defeat to champions Larne at Inver Park on the last day.
Can Coleraine Cap a Strong Season with a Trophy?
Coleraine return to the Irish Cup final for the first time in seven years, aiming to conclude a successful first season under Ruaidhri Higgins on a high note.
Although they missed out on the league title to Larne, the Bannsiders secured second place ahead of Glentoran and earned European football qualification for the upcoming season.
They have a strong opportunity to claim silverware and enter the final as favourites, having found form at a crucial time.
Key players Joel Cooper, with 25 goals in all competitions, and Matthew Shevlin, with 24 goals, have been instrumental in the cup run and will look to complete the task on Saturday.
Additional contributors such as Ben Wylie and Will Patching have also found recent form and goals, providing quality throughout the squad, which could prove vital if the match extends into extra time.
Coleraine last won the Irish Cup in 2018, defeating Cliftonville 3-1, with Eoin Bradley scoring the decisive goal, sparking jubilant celebrations including then-manager Oran Kearney sprinting down the Windsor Park touchline for a massive pile-on.
Bannsiders supporters will hope for a similar celebration in south Belfast on Saturday afternoon.
Can Dungannon Swifts Achieve Back-to-Back Titles?
Dungannon Swifts aim to join Lisburn Distillery, Linfield, Cliftonville, Glentoran, Belfast Celtic, and Crusaders in winning consecutive Irish Cups.
Last year, they reached new heights by capturing the trophy for the first time in dramatic fashion and will embrace their underdog status in another final.
The Swifts overcame penalty shootout heartbreak from the 2007 final against Linfield by defeating Cliftonville on penalties to secure a historic victory for County Tyrone.
McAree's squad demonstrated resilience, responding after Shea Kearney equalised John McGovern's first-half header and enduring over an hour with 10 men following Steven Scott's dismissal.
Goalkeeper Declan Dunne was the shootout hero, saving a penalty from Luke Conlan, while Kearney missed his spot kick. Gael Bigirimana, Leo Alves, Adam Glenny, and Brandon Bermingham all converted their penalties to secure the win.
Despite an inconsistent league season, the Swifts have maintained cup consistency and will rely on their recent big-game experience and McAree's ability to maximize his small squad on Saturday.
