Cliftonville vs Linfield 04/05/24

LINFIELD ROAD TO THE 2024 FINAL Words Nigel Tilson

Linfield saw off two NIFL Premiership sides, one NIFL Championship team and a NIFL Premier Intermediate side on their journey to this year’s Irish Cup Final. Then Jim O'Hanlon prodded home to leave Town two up after 34 minutes. The Blues struggled to break down the resolute Town defence throughout the first half. They did create chances, but very few were clearcut.

In the fifth round they played third tier Warrenpoint Town where they went two goals down before sparking into life, eventually winning the tie 4-2. Ballymena United, beaten finalists in the Irish Cup for the past two seasons, were next up and they started well against David Healy’s side. However, the Blues eventually defeated them by two goals to nil. The Blues hit the road to the North-West in the last eight. They came up against Institute at the Brandywell and they had to battle hard to get a result against Kevin Deery’s well-drilled Championship team. The upshot of that win was a clash between Belfast’s traditional Big Two at the semi-finals stage - and the Blues came out on top against Glentoran at The Oval, with midfielder Kyle McClean scoring two excellent goals. Linfield have scored 12 goals on the way to the final and conceded four. . FIFTH ROUND

However, just before the break striker Chris McKee volleyed in after a defensive mix-up to pull one back. After the interval Linfield upped the tempo, although John Gill’s Town team repelled several attacks. Eventually the Blues found a way through again. McKee grabbed his second of the game with a hooked finish in the 69th minute. The impressive Darragh McBrien rifled a shot into the bottom corner from 18 yards to edge Linfield ahead, his strike deflecting off substitute Rhys Annett on the way to the net. Then winger Kirk Millar produced one of his trademark deliveries, putting the ball on a plate for Matthew Fitzpatrick to net from close range to seal the comeback win for Healy's side. SIXTH ROUND Linfield 2-0 Ballymena United Ballymena, Irish Cup finalists in the previous two seasons, started brightly at Windsor Park. Only a crucial intervention from new Linfield signing Ethan McGee prevented Jim Ervin’s men from taking the lead in the opening two minutes. McGee blocked a shot by Fraser Taylor and then produced a goal-saving challenge to thwart Johnny McMurray. Kym Nelson volleyed into the side netting for the visitors before Linfield scored with their first decent chance of the match. Matthew Fitzpatrick found Kirk Millar and his volleyed cross to the back post was tucked away by Chris McKee. Joel Cooper had a sweet strike blocked by Nelson before Millar’s deflected cross flashed across the face of goal. Then McKee picked out Fitzpatrick inside the box, but his strike partner dragged his shot past the post. Just after the interval Calvin McCurry had a shot blocked by Linfield keeper Chris Johns as he rushed off his line. The loose ball fell to McMurray who was unable to hit the target as he fired over from 25 yards. Linfield were the better team in the second half.

Linfield 4-2 Warrenpoint Town Linfield came from two goals down to beat NIFL Premier Intermediate League side Warrenpoint Town 4-2 in their Clearer Water Irish Cup fifth round tie at Windsor Park. The visitors started brightly. They defended resolutely, although a slightly lacklustre Blues never really got going until Town scored twice within six minutes. Aaron Corish, who was making his debut for Warrenpoint, hit the bottom corner to put the South Down side in front in the 28th minute.

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