Was game of the season contender a statement from Coleraine?
Coleraine came from two goals behind to beat reigning champions Larne 3-2 at Inver Park, with Joel Cooper scoring the late winner. The result ended Larne’s unbeaten league start and strengthened Coleraine’s position among the Irish League title contenders.
James Simpson’s double had put Larne ahead, but Cooper scored after a Larne defensive error and Matthew Shevlin headed in Ben Doherty’s cross nine minutes later. Cooper then struck again with nine minutes of normal time remaining; Coleraine moved six points clear of Linfield, who have two games in hand, and 11 ahead of Larne, who have four. Manager Ruaidhri Higgins praised his team’s response, while Larne manager Gary Haveron criticised his side’s defending.
- Coleraine beat Larne 3-2 after trailing by two goals.
- Joel Cooper scored the winner with nine minutes left.
- Coleraine moved 11 points ahead of Larne, who have four games in hand.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Coleraine’s comeback could be read as a statement that they have the resilience and quality to challenge for the title: they recovered from two goals down away to the reigning champions and ended Larne’s unbeaten league start. Joel Cooper’s late winner and the team’s response, praised by manager Ruaidhri Higgins, suggest this was more than a routine result.
The case against
One dramatic win does not by itself establish Coleraine as title favourites, especially with Linfield six points behind and two games in hand. Larne’s manager pointed to defensive errors, so the comeback may say as much about Larne’s performance on the day as it does about Coleraine’s longer-term title credentials.