Ballymena United Triumph Over Coleraine in Boxing Day Derby Showdown

The Significance of the Ballymena vs Coleraine Rivalry

The Boxing Day fixture between Ballymena United and Coleraine represents one of the most anticipated matches in the Northern Irish football calendar. This annual festive encounter is described as one of the highlights of the local football calendar, drawing sell-out crowds and passionate support from both communities. The NIFL Premiership operates as the highest division of the Northern Ireland Football League, making this derby clash particularly significant for both clubs’ league ambitions.

Boxing Day 2025: Match Details and Result

On 26 December 2025, Ballymena United secured a crucial victory at The Showgrounds, with Daire O’Connor’s derby double helping Oran Kearney defeat his former club Coleraine with a first win as Ballymena United boss. Kian Corbally laid on both of O’Connor’s goals, which helped Kearney to his first win as Ballymena manager against his former side. The 2-0 victory was especially poignant as former Coleraine manager Oran Kearney is now in the dugout at Warden Street, adding an extra layer of narrative to the contest.

Tickets for the game were completely sold out, demonstrating the massive local interest in this traditional rivalry. The match saw Ballymena end a difficult run of form, with the victory ending their recent five-game winless run.

Implications and Looking Ahead

The defeat proved costly for Coleraine’s title ambitions, as the Bannsiders’ title aspirations suffered a further significant blow with the 2-0 Boxing Day defeat. Coleraine remain second in the league table but are six points adrift of leaders Larne, having played two games more. For Ballymena, the victory provided much-needed momentum under their new manager, with Kearney noting the challenge of having 10 or 11 players unavailable yet still managing to secure the three points.

The result continues Ballymena’s recent improvement at home, whilst Coleraine will need to regroup quickly to maintain their position near the top of the NIFL Premiership. This Boxing Day derby once again proved why it remains a fixture that captivates Northern Irish football fans, combining local pride, sporting rivalry, and significant league implications.