Dungannon Swifts and Coleraine Clash for Irish Cup Glory Outside Belfast

Dungannon Swifts and Coleraine FC meet at Windsor Park for the Irish Cup final, marking the first time since 2014 two non-Belfast teams contest the trophy. Both towns are buzzing with excitement, supported by fans, schools, and community events.

The Irish Cup Final: A Blue and White Showdown

The Irish Cup remains one of the most prestigious trophies in Northern Irish football. For over ten years, Belfast clubs have largely dominated the finals of this knockout competition. However, this Saturday marks a significant departure from that trend, as two teams from outside Northern Ireland's capital city face off in the final for the first time since 2014.

Last year's champions, Dungannon Swifts, will meet Coleraine FC in a highly anticipated match at Windsor Park on Saturday afternoon.

'The town has been buzzing'

In Dungannon, the excitement continues to build following the Swifts' historic Irish Cup victory last year, which was the first in the club's history. Beyond the team's success on the pitch, a notable aspect of their campaign was the association with the Queen of Country music, Philomena Begley. Her popular song "Blanket on the Ground" became the unofficial anthem for the Swifts last season.

Begley is once again performing in the team's clubhouse as part of the preparations for Saturday's final.

"I'm still getting my head around it all, I never thought I'd see the day I'd become the soundtrack for a football team, but I must say I'm really enjoying it. I'm singing Blanket on the Ground for over 50 years now, and there's no word about football in it, but it has really caught on with Swifts fans and I'm delighted."

Philomena Begley is an older woman with short dark blonde hair. She is draped in a blue and white football scarf and is singing into a microphone. She is surrounded by a number of football players who are clapping along. — As part of this year's build-up to the final, Philomena Begley performed for Swifts fans, players and management in the team's clubhouse

Throughout Dungannon town centre, the Swifts' traditional blue and white colours are prominently displayed. Charlie Calderwood, a lifelong Swifts supporter, remarked on the town's enthusiasm.

"The buzz about the town this year again has been second to none," he said.

Nearby in Newmills, local business owner Arlene McFarland has transformed her shop into a dedicated Dungannon Swifts fan zone.

"I think it's important for a local business to support a local club, because that is an investment back into the community. You can see the whole village has just come alive with colour and the shop has been bouncing with activity, it's fantastic."

A woman with shoulder length blond hair is smiling and looking at the camera. She is wearing a brown fleece top. — Arlene McFarland has converted her shop into a Dungannon Swifts fan zone

Additionally, pupils from Howard Primary School in Dungannon have shown their support by creating an "Up The Swifts" message for the team ahead of the final.

Moygashel Regeneration Group An overhead shot of a green football pitch with white markings. On the pitch dozens of children are standing in formation which spells out UTS, for Up The Swifts. — Pupils from Howard Primary School in Dungannon show their support by forming an "Up The Swifts" message for the team ahead of the final

Trevor Boyd, the bus driver responsible for transporting the Dungannon Swifts to the final in Belfast, is preparing for a repeat journey, having driven the team last year as well.

"The atmosphere was unbelievable, it's something I'll never forget, and I'm hoping we can do it all over again."

'Have you ever seen Coleraine?'

Almost 50 miles away on the north coast, Coleraine is also gearing up for the final. The Bannsiders last won the Irish Cup in 2018, a time before many young fans at Millburn Primary School were born.

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This week, pupils dressed in blue and white held a special assembly for the club's players and mascot, Benny the Bannsider. The assembly featured a performance of "Have You Ever Seen Coleraine?" by the local band Cellar Door, who recorded their own version of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Have You Ever Seen The Rain?".

The song has become a familiar tune in classrooms, cars, and businesses across the town in recent weeks. Gary Anderson, the band's frontman, described the experience as "surreal."

"I got sent a message and it was of another school and all the kids were singing the lyrics and I realised that this is me coming over the tannoy and all these kids are singing along to my words. It was phenomenal... actually, the hairs on my arms were standing up instantly."

Young fan Leo commented on the assembly.

"It was the best assembly I think this school has ever had."

Leo has supported Coleraine FC for five or six years and is looking forward to "lots of cheers, drums, goals, saves… and celebrations" on Saturday.

Another pupil, Tobin, offered some advice to the team.

"Don't take any pressure and then if you get a goal early, wait for Dungannon to make a mistake and then you can go on the counterattack."

Noah, who will serve as a mascot at the final, expressed his excitement despite not yet knowing which player he will accompany onto the pitch.

"It will be very fun."

A person inside a large brown bear costume, wearing a Coleraine Football Club kit, is dancing on a stage. Behind the bear there's a band dressed in blue tops and there are lots of blue while balloons and Coleraine FC scarves and flags. — It has been eight years since Coleraine won an Irish Cup final.

Leo is a young boy of around 10 years of age. He has light brown hair worn short on the sides, and longer on the top. He is wearing dark framed glasses, a blue Coleraine FC zip up top and has a blue and white flag draped around his neck. — The special assembly was a hit with young fans like Leo

Football fever

Sharon Lamont, principal of Millburn Primary, highlighted the strong relationship between the school and Coleraine FC, emphasizing the significance of participating in the pre-match activities.

"This is just fabulous, the excitement, the buzz bringing the whole community together. I think is very important because life's rough at the minute. When you drive across the bridges and you're seeing blue and white it's bringing everybody together."

Sharon has dark blonde hair, parted on right worn down to her shoulders. She is wearing a blue denim shirt over a white t-shirt and is smiling at the camera. — The principal of Millburn Primary, Sharon Lamont, says the big game is bringing everyone in the town together

Jamie Selfridge, Head of Business and Community at Coleraine FC, described the atmosphere in the town.

"We are a community club and we are so excited to be able to give them this week and particularly the build up to the cup final. The excitement is just buzzing, we are excited as they are… so it's just a real feel-good factor moment."