Summary

  • Irish Cup: Cliftonville 2-1 Coleraine (Result) - Reds clinch comeback win nine days before teams meet again in League Cup decider

  • Irish Premiership: Carrick Rangers 1-2 Linfield (Result) - Blues go top

  1. Bye for nowpublished at 22:29 GMT 4 March 2022

    Cliftonville through and Linfield take top spot

    Thanks for joining us on a breathless night of league and cup action.

    The headlines? Cliftonville become the first team to book their place in this season's Irish Cup semi-finals with a comeback win over Coleraine, although it was a night of controversy at Solitude and the Bannsiders will certainly not be pleased with the refereeing decisions that went against them.

    In league matters, Linfield edged Carrick Rangers at Taylors Avenue to return to the summit.

    The Blues are ahead of Glentoran on goal difference with Cliftonville just a point behind in a title race that is proving simply too close to call.

    That's all from us tonight. We'll be back tomorrow for more Irish Cup drama, with these three games to look forward to:

    • Glentoran v Newry City
    • Crusaders v Dungannon Swifts
    • Ballymena United v Larne

    See you then!

    Joe GormleyImage source, Inpho
    Chris McKeeImage source, Pacemaker
  2. 'It was ugly at times' - McLaughlinpublished at 22:20 GMT 4 March 2022

    FT: Cliftonville 2-1 Coleraine

    Quote Message

    We had to dig deep. Coleraine came at us for the last 10-15 minutes, there was a lot of last-ditch and a lot of blocks, it was a test of good character but we passed it with flying colours. It was ugly at times but sometimes you have to win games like that. I think the game was crying out for Joe (Gormley) to come on as Coleraine had squeezed us up the pitch but he came on and did the business. I didn't see [if it hit his hand], I was admiring McDonagh's cross. Joe and the defender went at it at the same time. How it goes in, we're not too bothered to be honest. If it hit his hand, I don't know how much he knew about it.

    Paddy McLaughlin, Cliftonville boss

  3. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:42 GMT 4 March 2022

    Cliftonville 2-1 Coleraine

    It's all over!

    Cliftonville seal their place in the Irish Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Coleraine at Solitude.

    Lyndon Kane fired the Bannsiders into a first-half lead but the Reds prevail after a controversial second half.

    Joe Gormley came off the bench to level for the hosts, although Coleraine feel the striker used his arm to force the ball home.

    Matthew Shevlin was also booked for diving when the Coleraine players demanded a penalty, but there was no such dismay for Jamie McDonagh, who curled home a fantastic winner to send Cliftonville into the last four.

  4. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:39 GMT 4 March 2022

    Carrick Rangers 1-2 Linfield

    The champions return to the Premiership struggle but Carrick pushed the Blues right to the end at Taylor's Avenue.

    Jordan Gibson's strike midway through the second half gave Rangers hope but they fell to a fifth straight league defeat while Linfield lead the way on goal difference.

  5. Did Gormley use his arm?published at 21:39 GMT 4 March 2022

    Cliftonville 2-1 Coleraine

    Did the ball strike Joe Gormley's right arm?

    Stephen O'Donnell was appealing immediately.

    Media caption,

    Did Gormley use his arm for Cliftonville's equaliser?

  6. McDonagh magic (again)published at 21:35 GMT 4 March 2022

    Cliftonville 2-1 Coleraine

    He's building quite the portfolio, and this could prove to be one of the most important McDonagh's scored in a Cliftonville shirt.

    Media caption,

    An unstoppable strike from McDonagh gives Cliftonville a 2-1 lead

  7. Postpublished at 21:31 GMT 4 March 2022

    Cliftonville 2-1 Coleraine

    Conor McKendry cuts back on his left foot but his shot loops over the bar.

    Coleraine pressure building...

  8. Hosts miss outpublished at 21:31 GMT 4 March 2022

    Carrick Rangers 1-2 Linfield

    A big let-off for Linfield as an unmarked Emmett McGuckin fires just wide from 10 yards with four minutes left.

    It's going to be tense finale in Carrick.

  9. Time running outpublished at 21:29 GMT 4 March 2022

    Cliftonville 2-1 Coleraine

    Eight minutes left at Solitude. Tense finale in store.

  10. Jamie's jumpin' for joypublished at 21:25 GMT 4 March 2022

    Cliftonville 2-1 Coleraine

    McDonaghImage source, Pacemaker
  11. Did it hit his hand?published at 21:24 GMT 4 March 2022

    Cliftonville 2-1 Coleraine

    It's difficult to tell from this angle, but there's a suggestion that Joe Gormley used his arm to force the ball home and bring Cliftonville level.

    The Coleraine defenders certainly thought so.

    Media caption,

    Gormley wastes no time as he connects within seconds of being on the pitch

  12. Gibson pulls one back for Carrickpublished at 21:23 GMT 4 March 2022

    Carrick Rangers 1-2 Linfield

    Media caption,

    Gibson pulls one back for Carrick

  13. 'He's very fortunate' - Lowry booked for high tackle on Curranpublished at 21:17 GMT 4 March 2022

    Cliftonville 2-1 Coleraine

    Was Stephen Lowry lucky to escape with just a yellow here?

    Media caption,

    'He's very fortunate' - Lowry booked for high tackle on Curran

  14. PENALTY APPEALpublished at 21:16 GMT 4 March 2022

    Cliftonville 2-1 Coleraine

    Coleraine are in disbelief.

    Matthew Shevlin takes a tumble on the edge of the area. Coleraine want a penalty, but the striker's been booked for diving!

    That's a big call and, to be honest, it looks a questionable one.

  15. goal

    GOAL - Jamie McDonaghpublished at 21:13 GMT 4 March 2022

    Cliftonville 2-1 Coleraine

    What a goal!!

    It's a brilliant strike from McDonagh and Cliftonville have turned this cup tie on its head.

    Ronan Doherty lays the ball off to McDonagh. One look up and he curls a wonderful shot into the corner.

    Gareth Deane had no chance.

    Now it's Coleraine who must respond!

  16. goal

    GOALpublished at 21:13 GMT 4 March 2022

    Carrick Rangers 1-2 Linfield

    Just seconds after coming so close to a goal Carrick pull one back through Jordan Gibson on 67 minutes.

    Gibson weaves his way across the box before delievering a deft right-footed shot which hits the post before going in.

    Game on!!

  17. CLOSE!published at 21:11 GMT 4 March 2022

    Carrick Rangers 0-2 Linfield

    A big moment in the game as Blues defender Chris Shields races back to clear Steven Gordon's header off the line.

  18. PENALTY APPEALpublished at 21:07 GMT 4 March 2022

    Cliftonville 1-1 Coleraine

    James McLaughlin is adamant that his goal-bound header has struck Kris Lowe's hand!

    The referee isn't interested, though, and the replays confirms it strikes his face first.

    This game has come to life!

  19. goal

    GOAL - Joe Gormleypublished at 21:03 GMT 4 March 2022

    Cliftonville 1-1 Coleraine

    You could've seen it coming!

    Take a bow, Jamie McDonagh. The winger fizzes a glorious cross to the far post where Joe Gormley - on the pitch a matter of seconds - nudges it home from point-blank range.

    Instant impact.

    GormleyImage source, Inpho
  20. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 21:02 GMT 4 March 2022

    Cliftonville 0-1 Coleraine

    It's just not clicking for Cliftonville, and a few players are starting to show their frustration.

    Paddy McLaughlin has seen enough, anyway, with Joe Gormley replacing the unusually subdued Rory Hale.