Double delight for Blues

For manager David Jeffrey it was a staggering 26th trophy in his 13 year reign at the club.

"This is very sweet, very sweet indeed," he beamed after the final whistle. "It's not so long ago we were all at a very low point, but to finish the season like this is just fantatic."

The boss hugged skipper Noel Bailie who was quick to praise his manager. "David took a lot of stick when we went on a bad run and some people wanted him out. The players didn't want him out. It was us with our poor performances who put his position under pressure," said Noel.

"But we thankfully got a run going and in the end it all came good. This was a tough battle, Portadown pushed us all the way. I have been asked a number of times about playing next season, but that can be sorted another time."

Manager David Jeffrey is poised to offer the veteran star of 1003 appearances in a blue shirt another one year deal and why not, Bailie was superb again at the back for the cup winners.

Linfield could not have had a better start to the final, a goal up after just a couple of minutes after Damien Curran's incisive run ended with a low cross which Peter Thompson bundled over the line.

Things looked bleak for the Ports when Philip Lowry rose highest to head home number two soon after. However, the Ports hit back with a controversial strike from Kevin Braniff. His low free kick caused problems for goalkeeper Alan Blayney who gathering the ball on or over the line - replays failed to show clearly if it was in - but the ref awarded the goal and it was game on.

Portadown dominated the remainder of the half with Blayney protecting that slender lead with a brilliant finger tip save to divert over a dipping shot from Wesley Boyle.

The Blues looked much better in the second half and managed to stifle the menace of the Ports and in the end neither keeper was really tested.

The final whistle signalled the end of a remarkable season for Linfield and a fourth double in five seasons.