Crusaders V Linfield JJB Sports Irish Cup Final 7.5.11

Crusaders and Linfield brought the curtain down on the Irish League season with the show piece final at Windsor Park. After a dull first half with 1 or 2 half chances for either team, it was Crusaders who started brighter in the 2nd half. Jordan Owens had a great chance to put the Crues 1-0 up but an excellent stop by Linfield goalkeeper Alan Blayney kept the scores level. A few minutes later though the blues keeper was unable to keep a half volley from Declan Caddell out as the shore road side took the lead. Linfield responded with a sub and Jamie Mulgrew replaced Philip Lowry in midfield. Mulgrew made an immediate impact and changed the game a long range effort was palmed away by crues goalkeeper Chris Keenan only for the ever alert Peter Thompson to follow up and head in the rebound. The match looked bound for extra time, but little did the fans and viewers who watched live on BBC know that Linfield weren't finished yet. With 2 minutes of normal time left the ball fell kindly for Jamie Mulgrew deep inside the Crusaders half and the impact sub hit another long range effect that was spilled by Chris Keenan, despite Crusaders Captain Colin Coates best efforts he was unable to keep out a Mark McAllister rebounder that sent players staff and of course the fans in to over drive. David Jeffrey's men held on to the 2-1 lead for the last remaining minutes to retain the Irish cup to make it a 5th Double in 6 years, but also give Noel Bailie a fitting send off.

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