Friends re-united in tribute to Army

For at a windswept and rainy Windsor Park the Bannsiders ended a 26-year wait to lift a major honour.

But the joy felt by Jody Tolan's priceless winner soon turned to despair as the club's financial woes came to the fore and signalled the demise of Coleraine's most talented squad.

But now the boys are set to be re-united again seven years on from that momentous day against Glentoran as a tribute to one of their team-mates who has just decided to hang up his boots - as the then captain Pat McAllister explained.

"Big Sean Armstrong has decided to call it a day, so we have been knocking a few ideas about for how we could recognise his contribution not just to Coleraine but to DC also," the current Donegal Celtic boss told Times Sport.

"So we came up with the idea of getting all the boys together from the 2003 Irish Cup winning team to play the Donegal Celtic Steel & Sons Cup winning side from the same year.

"The big man is all on for it, but being the type of guy he is he wanted to try and raise funds for a worthwhile cause.

"Over the last few months up here in West Belfast people have been raising funds for a young girl called Bronagh Wilson.

"In August 2008 Bronagh was diagnosed with a brain tumour just shortly after giving birth to her son Daniel.

"Unfortunately doctors were only able to remove 35% of the tumour and Bronagh has to undergo intensive chemotherapy treatment. Her NHS treatment finishes in April, but the Bronagh Wilson Trust is trying to raise 50,000 for her to partake in a private therapy treatment.

"The more money we raise then the better it will be for Bronagh.

"We are expecting a big crowd to come out and support the game not just for 'Armie' but also to help raise funds for what is a very worthwhile cause.

"At the minute we have 99% of the team confirmed, we're just waiting to hear whether Ipswich will let Gareth (McAuley) come over for it.

"But all the boys I've spoken to, including myself just can't wait to pull a Coleraine shirt on again. Hopefully as many Coleraine fans as possible will come along on the day and support us."

'Packy' told Times Sport that he feels big 'Armie' didn't always get the credit he deserved during his time in the Irish League.

"Coleraine definitely got his best years, his record at the club was very good considering the number of games he actually started," he said.

"He spent a lot of time on the bench, which frustrated him. I think Marty and him hold the world record for falling out. But he always made an impact when he came on.

"The Boxing Day game against Ballymena when he scored a hat-trick will live long in my mind.

"Unfortunately over the last few seasons he started to pick up a lot of niggling injuries which he just couldn't shake off and he made the decision to call it a day.

"But he's staying in the game and he is a great addition to my coaching team. He is the go between with me and the players and is a great lad to have about the place.

"He certainly helped liven up the journeys down to Coleraine when we all travelled together."

'Armie' and 'Packy' were just two of a number of Belfast based players who plied their trade for the Bannsiders during that time. But the former skipper said it felt like their hometown club.

"People used to say that the Belfast lads didn't care about Coleraine, but I can tell you those trips back to Belfast were horrible if we had lost," he said.

"We still talk about Coleraine now because it is a very special place. We all felt that we lived around the corner because of our passion for the place.

"It was an absolute privilege to play for Coleraine and I will never forget lifting the Irish Cup that day. It's a memory that will stay with me forever...I can't believe it's nearly seven years ago, it feels like it was only yesterday.

"One of my biggest regrets was that I never really got the chance to say goodbye properly and I've been longing to pull the shirt on again. I was always hoping that someone would be having a testimonial game to give me the excuse to go back but it hasn't happened yet.

"But I know all the guys hold the club in such high esteem. And when I phoned up 'Quinner' to ask if he would come along and manage the team again he said it would be a privilege, even if it is only for one day.

"Really though that sums up all the guys who were at the club at that time, they just loved the place and the spirit in the team was second to none. I know whenever we meet up again we'll just click back into the old ways again and the banter will start again. I'm really looking forward to it."

Events get underway at 1pm on Sunday, March 7 with Bertie Peacock Youths Under-10's taking on Donegal Celtic Under-10's with the main match kicking off at 2pm. Entry fee is 5 which includes entry to the post-match entertainment.

REPORT: Steven Crawford