LEFT TO WONDER ‘WHAT IF..’

games wasn’t enough as Stephen Baxter’s men finished two points clear.

Cheered on by passionate fan and Cold Feet star Jimmy Nesbitt who had flown in from England, Coleraine went close to taking the lead in the first period when Darren McCauley hit the bar from outside the box.

Moments before the break Ian Parkhill’s effort from distance was saved by Glenavon’s Jonny Tuffey. After the interval Glenavon midfielder Mark Sykes showed his class. A darting run and shot ended with Chris Johns spilling the ball and with Andrew Mitchell set to score the rebound, Coleraine defender Stephen O’Donnell made a fantastic clearance.

Sykes had another effort well saved by Johns but most of the drama was taking place in Ballymena.

And, at the final whistle, Coleraine players sank to their knees knowing the dream was over.

Kearney said: “We are obviously very disappointed and gutted not to win the title.

“I think that is only natural.

“There are a few ‘what ifs’ that are there.

“We knew today would be about inches and centimetres and when both games were 0-0 Darren (McAuley) hit a shot against the bar and Ian Parkhill had a shot saved.

“Those are two moments that possibly could have gone our way.

“I’m not sure what impact that would have had on either game but certainly when our fans were cheering in the second half after Ballymena United had taken the lead it did give us a lift. In the second half there were a couple more ‘what if’ moments where we just didn’t capitalise.

“But it’s been an amazing effort by our boys all season and I’m proud of us taking it to the last few minutes of the campaign.

“Congratulations to Crusaders, the league table never lies.”