There is surely no more fitting finale to the Northern Ireland football season than Saturday’s Tennent’s Irish Cup clash between Linfield and Coleraine at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park (kick-off 2.30pm).
David Healy's Blues go into the game fresh from being crowned Danske Bank Premiership champions after a dramatic conclusion to the campaign.
The Bannsiders, under Oran Kearney's guidance, have been impressive since the turn of the year, finishing third and securing a guaranteed Europa League berth regardless of the outcome of Saturday's game, winning many admirers along the way.
Linfield are seeking a first Irish Cup win since the 2011/12 season when goals from Mark McAllister, Michael Carvill and Jamie Mulgrew saw them sweep to a comfortable defeat of Crusaders, while Coleraine need to go back as far as 2003 for their last taste of cup success. On that occasion Jody Tolan's goal early in the first half was enough to get the better of Glentoran.
The Bannsiders' journey to the final began with a 5-1 home thumping of Carrick Rangers thanks in no small part to an Eoin Bradley hat-trick.
Premier Intermediate League side Tobermore United proved to be much more troublesome opponents in the next round with only an early Jamie McGonigle goal giving Coleraine the edge.
Derby rivals Ballymena United then lay in wait in the last eight but two goals apiece from McGonigle and Bradley put paid to the Sky Blues challenge in their own backyard.
And it was back to Warden Street for a semi-final victory over outgoing holders Glenavon when James McLaughlin bagged the winner just as the game looked to be destined for an extra 30 minutes.
By comparison Linfield's progress through the competition has been steadily efficient and all conducted on the road.
Glentoran were dispatched in the fifth round thanks to Andy Waterworth's extra time winner at The Oval before a trip to the North West brought a two-goal defeat of Institute, with Waterworth again finding the net to complement Cameron Stewart's opener.
A similar scoreline accounted for Crusaders at Seaview in the quarter-finals courtesy of a Stephen Lowry spot kick and a late Niall Quinn header.
And Lowry proved to be the difference in the last four when he showed composure to control a cross and then slot the ball into the bottom corner of the Dungannon Swifts net in the dying moments at Mourneview Park.
Head-to-head there has been little to separate the sides this season except, that is, Linfield's 5-1 victory at The Showgrounds less than a fortnight ago, a game that was instrumental in giving them the advantage in their title battle with the Crues.
However, that will count for nothing on Saturday...
