WATCHING ON FROM AFAR...

Eunan O'Kane, who made his last appearance for the Bannsiders in their quarter final second leg win over Cliftonville back in December, will be in action for his new club Torquay United against Morecambe.

But he told Times Sport that he will be keeping a close eye on events at Windsor Park.

"Unfortunately I won't be able to watch the game live as we have an important match at Morecambe, but I'll be making sure that someone will be keeping me up to date with the score," said Eunan.

"It's going to be a great game. It's fantastic for any player to be involved in a final and hopefully this will only be the start of things to come for the younger lads.

"It's great being a footballer, but I'm sure the older you get you want to win some silverware to look back on. The lads have a great opportunity to win a medal on Saturday and they are still in with a shout in the Irish Cup, so it's a good time to be at Coleraine."

O'Kane was part of the Coleraine side that dismantled Glentoran back in November and the former Everton man believes that the Bannsiders attacking options will cause them problems again.

"I know the Glens have a lot of quality

going forward with the likes of Hamilton, Gillespie and Waterworth, but so do Coleraine," he said.

"Rory (Patterson) and Darren (Boyce) have hit over 50 goals so far this season and you have the likes of 'Carsie', Stephen Dooley, Gareth Harkin and now Sammy Morrow who can all score.

"So Coleraine have nothing to fear. Yes the Glens are one of the biggest clubs in the country, but Coleraine have stood up to them several times this season and embarassed them in their own backyard.

"It's going to be a battle but Coleraine have the quality to win it that's for sure."

Eunan has been making headlines of his own in Torquay after scoring his first goal for the club a couple of weeks ago. And he told Times Sport that he has opened talks with United manager Paul Buckle about extending his stay on the English Riviera.

"Yeah I've been talking with the boss and things are good so it looks like I'll be extending my spell here," revealed Eunan.

"I'm really enjoying it here. I was glad to get my first goal though, I'd been having no luck in front of goal in recent weeks so it was nice to finally get off the mark.

"But Coleraine will always be special to me I really enjoyed it there and it always the first result I look out for.

"I made my final appearance for the club in this competition so it would be fantastic if the lads could go on and win it.

"I'd like to wish them all the best for Saturday. Although I won't be there I'll still feel I was a part of it and hopefully this will be the start of things to come for the club."

REPORT: Steven Crawford