Coleraine must repeat Glentoran dismantling to net Euro reward: Jamie McGonigle

Not only will the winners earn a place in the UEFA Conference League over the summer of 2024, but they will pocket the financial bonanza that comes with it.

There is some added spice as well, as it is set to be Stephen Baxter’s final domestic game in charge of the north Belfast team after a successful 19 years at the helm and 954 games.

McGonigle, however, is focused on only one thing – and that’s having his passport stamped for a European tour in the 2024/25 campaign.

He was the tormentor-in-chief in the Semi-Final win over ailing Glentoran at The BetMcLean Oval, pocketing a delicious brace either side of a Lyndon Kane strike.

It was one of the best performances of the 2023/24 season by Oran Kearney’s men, but McGonigle acknowledges that there is still work to do.

“We know the job is only half done; we must complete it against Crusaders,” he said.

“We know what we are going to get at Seaview. We’ll need the same application, the same commitment, the same desire and hunger we produced against Glentoran to get us over the line.

“They (Crusaders) are a bit like the Glens, they like to get the ball forward quickly; it will be up to us to pick up second balls and put them under pressure.

“We’ll need to keep a good shape and work as hard as we did at The Oval.”

McGonigle admits it’s been a rollercoaster ride since he arrived back at Coleraine from Derry City in January 2024.

“The side was in a bit of a rut, but that’s because we had so many injuries,” added McGonigle.

“It would be fair to say, the spine of the team was missing.

“If any team is without key players, it’s bound to struggle, but I knew what I was coming back into. It was always about trying to get into Europe.

“If we didn’t win the Irish Cup, we knew the Play-Offs would be our only avenue – now, we have our chance.

“I think we showed what we are about with our performance last week against Glentoran when we basically had everyone back from injury.

“It was a professional performance. Not a lot of teams go to The Oval and do what we did to Glentoran... it was a great team display.

“When I rejoined the club, my first game back was against Glentoran at The Oval and we were beaten 6-0 – it was embarrassing, so we had something to prove.”

McGonigle admits his opening goal against the Glens was a collector’s item – scoring with his head.

“The first goal in any game is crucial, and I don’t often score with my head, it was a weird one,” he laughed.

“I think the last time I scored with a header was against the Glens in a European Play-Off a few years back. Funnily enough, I was watching a clip of that game the night before last week’s game.

“It was a great ball in from Andy Scott, I just had to get a touch on it to guide it into the net.

“I was thrilled with the second goal. People think we worked at the short corner routine, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

“It was an off-the-cuff thing with Glacks (Jamie Glackin). I made the run, and it just sort of happened. He was brilliant with a little backheel to put me in.

“I still had a bit to do, but I just kept it low and was happy to see it hit the net. It was the goal that killed off the game.

“We all know 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline. But the third goal really deflated them.

“Our game management after that was spot on. It’s been like that recently. When we’ve established a lead, we’ve the ability to close up shop.

“We proved that when we have our full team on the pitch, we are a match for any side in the League.”