Dungannon Swifts are set to face Coleraine in their Northern Ireland Premiership opener, with the Bannsiders looking to improve on last year's second-placed finish. Manager Ruaidhrí Higgins is ready to embrace the favourites' tag and lift the Gibson Cup.
What happened?
Coleraine boss Ruaidhrí Higgins is ready to “embrace” the favourites’ tag as the Bannsiders look to go improve on last year’s second-placed finish and finish top of the pile in May, as the Irish Premiership kicks off this weekend.
Why it matters for Dungannon Swifts
Dungannon Swifts will be looking to cause an upset against Coleraine, who have seen significant investment, an influx of quality players, an Irish Cup win and a return to European football.
What comes next?
The match will take place at Stangmore Park on Saturday, with Dungannon Swifts looking to get off to a strong start in the Northern Ireland Premiership.
Dungannon Swifts have a busy schedule ahead of them, with their next fixture being against Ballymena United at home on 2026-12-19, where they will be looking to climb the table.
Manager Ruaidhrí Higgins is confident that his team can cause an upset against Coleraine, and is ready to embrace the favourites' tag.
What Higgins said
Higgins said: “Aye, listen we had a sticky period around the turn of the year, around Christmas and the New Year period, we had a difficult period which cost us from potentially winning it. “But as the season progressed, as it got deep into the business end we were really, really happy with the direction the team is going in and hopefully we can continue that progress.”
Higgins on the summer schedule
Higgins also spoke about the summer schedule, saying: “There is no doubt about it that when you’re in pre-season and you are playing them at that level of a game in pre-season it’s difficult, there’s no doubt about it.”
Higgins on the Gibson Cup
Higgins is aiming for the ultimate goal of lifting the Gibson Cup, and is confident that his team can cause an upset against Coleraine.
Conclusion
Dungannon Swifts will be looking to cause an upset against Coleraine in their Northern Ireland Premiership opener, with the Bannsiders looking to improve on last year's second-placed finish.
