Call To Turn Coleraine Blue And White Ahead Of Irish Cup final

Supporters in Coleraine are being urged to help transform the town into a sea of blue and white in the lead-up to next month’s Irish Cup final.

The Bannsiders will face Dungannon Swifts at Windsor Park on Saturday, 2 May, with anticipation already building across the area. In the run-up to the showpiece occasion, a renewed call has gone out for residents and businesses alike to show their support in a visible and united way.

At the centre of the effort is a fan-led campaign known as “Operation Blue & White”. The initiative is being spearheaded by Brian Alcorn, a well-known supporter known locally as “Triggs”, alongside a group of fellow fans. Their aim is to see flags, banners and club colours displayed throughout the town, from lampposts and shopfronts to homes and business premises.

Organisers say they are close to reaching their fundraising target, which will support the rollout of flags and decorations across key areas. However, they have appealed for additional contributions in the coming days to help maximise the campaign's impact.

The initiative draws clear inspiration from 2018, when Coleraine last lifted the Irish Cup. In the days leading up to that final, the town centre and surrounding areas were widely noted for their strong visual support, with blue and white colours visible on streets, buildings and vehicles throughout the community.

Businesses played a central role in that effort. From banks and cafés to hairdressers and taxis, many embraced the occasion by decorating their premises and engaging directly with customers in the build-up to the match. The result was a strong sense of unity and pride, with thousands of supporters travelling to Belfast to back the team.

As this year’s final approaches, businesses are once again being encouraged to play their part.

Across a range of sectors, there are opportunities to contribute to the atmosphere while also engaging customers. Hair and beauty salons may consider themed services such as colour styling, nail designs, or matchday preparation packages, alongside window displays that reflect club colours.

Fashion and retail outlets can create dedicated displays featuring blue-and-white clothing, promote matchday outfit ideas, or introduce limited-time offers tied to the occasion. Staff participation, through wearing club colours, can also help reinforce the sense of occasion within stores.

For general retailers, simple but effective measures such as themed window decorations, coordinated packaging or in-store promotions can help create a consistent visual identity across the town centre.

In the hospitality sector, cafés and restaurants may look to introduce themed menu items, matchday specials, or pre-game offers, while decorating their interiors to reflect the club's colours. Bars and pubs, traditionally at the heart of matchday build-up, may also consider hosting pre-final events, live entertainment or special promotions in the days leading up to the fixture.

With the countdown now underway, the message is clear: a collective effort from businesses and the wider community can once again turn Coleraine into a united show of support for the team as they aim for Irish Cup success.