PAST PORTS: A look into the Shamrock Park archives

“Portadown’s weekend Irish Cup tie with Coleraine will mark the 14th time the two sides have met in the premier knockout competition. “The first took place at Shamrock Park across the 1927/28 season, with Portadown out on top by 2-1 to reach the semi-finals. “The following season produced another home win - but in the favour of Coleraine by 3-0. “March 1964 marked the next meeting, with Coleraine hosts as league leaders one point ahead of the Ports. “Eamon Gorman put Portadown into the lead but Coleraine hit back for a 3-1 triumph. “The 1970/71 tie added another win to the Coleraine tally as the visitors left Shamrock Park clear by 6-3. “The next season, of course, marked an Irish Cup final date in which the Ports dominated possession at Windsor Park but lost out by 2-1. “A third successive Irish Cup tie extended Portadown’s miserable run following another 2-1 defeat. “Coleraine edged past Portadown in a replay by 1-0 in 1975/76 following a scoreless draw at The Showgrounds. “Ports fans will always remember the 1989/90 campaign as it produced a first Irish League title in club history. “Coleraine suffered a 4-0 reverse in the Irish Cup semi-final as the Ports pushed forward in search of a trophy double. “Portadown enjoyed wins over Coleraine in the 1990s - with Robert Casey, Brian Strain and Martin Russell on target across 1995/96 before Raymond Byrne and Vinny Arkins sealed a 1998/99 victory. “A single-goal semi-final victory arrived for the Ports in 1999/00 following 0-0 from the first tie, with Vinny Arkins converting a penalty. “Dean Fitzgerald and Gary Hamilton grabbed goals across 2001/02. “In 2013, Portadown defeated Coleraine by 3-0 thanks to Darren Murray’s penalty and a Kevin Braniff brace.”