Higgins a 'better manager' after working through grief
Ruaidhri Higgins opens up on overcoming personal tragedies as he prepares to lead Coleraine into Saturday's Irish Cup final against Dungannon Swifts.
The man at the helm of Coleraine is no stranger to big match days that come with intense pressure. During his time as Derry City boss, Ruaidhri Higgins experienced the ecstasy and agony of FAI Cup finals; winning in 2022 but suffering defeat two years later. But overcoming his own personal struggles is what he says has given him a true sense of perspective as he prepares to lead Coleraine into Saturday's Irish Cup final against holders Dungannon Swifts.
Higgins' brother Kevin died suddenly in 2023 after he suffered a heart attack in his adopted home of Sweden. His mother Mary passed away in 2025 shortly after he took up the manager's job at Coleraine following an illness. Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme, Higgins said working through his grief has brought him to a better place in his life.
"I am my own biggest critic, I look at myself in the mirror before I look at anyone else. That's just who I am. "What I would say is that I feel like a different man now.
I have come through a lot of heartache and struggle in my personal life. "I'm in a really good place now with the help of a lot of people. "And I feel I am a better manager for it and I am really enjoying what I am doing at Coleraine.