BetMcLean Cup Final: Chris McKee's late spot kick wins showpiece for Linfield

A Chris McKee penalty deep into extra time saw Linfield lift the Bet McLean Cup on Sunday afternoon as rivals Glentoran were left heartbroken for the second year running in the showpiece final.

Belfast's Big Two could not be separated for 115 minutes in a closely fought contest at Windsor Park, but with a penalty shootout looming, substitute McKee held his nerve to win it from the spot for David Healy's men after being fouled by Glentoran defender MJ Kamson-Kamara.

It marks a 13th League Cup success for the Blues and the second final defeat for Glentoran in as many seasons, after being undone in last year’s decider by Cliftonville.

Declan Devine’s Glentoran had the best of the early exchanges with the first chance of note coming in the 11th minute as Jordan Stewart hooked over from a corner.

The same player went close moments later when the ball broke to him inside the penalty area but he couldn't keep his effort down.

Former Blues forward Stewart was in the mood and had another half-chance on 16 minutes as he sent an effort whistling just past the target.

From there, Linfield grew into the game and they went close on 32 minutes as Kirk Millar's shot from range dropped narrowly wide of Billy Crellin's goal.

Glentoran finished the half the strongest but despite opportunities for in-form frontman Pat Hoban and Stewart, they were unable to get their noses in front before the break.

It was again the east Belfast men who were first to threaten after the restart when Hoban switched the play to the right for Josh Daniels, who sent a teasing cross in towards fellow January signing Aaron McEneff but he failed to make meaningful contact.

At the other end Crellin had to be alert to tip a Matthew Fitzpatrick strike over the top via his crossbar. Daniel Amos then lined up an effort for Glentoran which was pushed behind by Chris Johns.

With the next 20 minutes passing by without any goalmouth action at either end, it felt inevitable that extra time would be needed.

Kyle McClean's free-kick on 85 minutes was comfortably held by Crellin before Hoban rose to meet a looping cross but he couldn't generate the power or direction to beat Johns with his header.

The first period of extra time came and went with no further opportunities and just as the final seemed destined for penalties, the otherwise impressive Kamson-Kamara brought down McKee with just three minutes left to play.

Referee Ben McMaster had little hesitation in pointing to the spot and McKee sent the Glens keeper the wrong way to spark delirium among the Linfield supporters.

Linfield: Johns, East, Millar (McKee 91), McClean (C), Hall, Archer (Mulgrew 80), Baird (Frizzell 63), McGee (Brown 113), Fitzpatrick, Taylor (McCullough 80), Leahy.

Subs not used: Walsh, Yates

Glentoran: Crellin, Cooney, Kane (C; Larmour 91), Palmer, Hoban, Stewart (Burt 74), Kamson-Kamara, Amos, Singleton (Douglas 113), Daniels (Jenkins 88), McEneff.

Subs not used: Mills, Connolly, Gallagher.

Attendance: 12,297

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