Coleraine show fight to defeat Letterkenny and seal their place in the IBA Cup semi finals

The Bannsiders had been on a nine game winning streak before crashing to a damaging defeat against Portglenone in the league last Monday night, and they would be out to set the record straight and seal their berth in the last four of the Irish Cup for a second consecutive season.

However, they knew Letterkenny would be no pushover, having disposed of Belfast, Leinster and Ballywalter in previous rounds whilst they only recently lost their first ever home game since coming into the NIPBA three years ago.

It was the home side who opened up an early 13-shot advantage as the visitors tried to find their rhythm.

At the halfway stage, the Lodge Road men were still in arrears, however, they had reduced the deficit to eight shots as they fought to gain the upper hand in the tie.

With five ends remaining, Coleraine had turned the tables on the Donegal side as they took a four shot lead of their own, showing immense fight and determination along the way.

The Bannsiders eventually sealed an excellent 12-shot victory against a stern Letterkenny team.

It was a superb performance from the Coleraine side, as they showed a tremendous fighting spirit and great team comradeship across the green.

The Bannsiders never gave up, despite being in a precarious position at the halfway stage in the game, before eventually sealing a superb 12-shot victory.

Next up in the Irish Cup for the Coleraine men is a tough tie against cup specialists, Bangor in the semi-final on Saturday 10th August. No venue has been decided for the tie yet, however, Coleraine will be out to go one stage further than last season’s agonising last four defeat to Ballymoney.