Glentoran won a first Harry Cavan Cup in 30 years after they defeated Linfield on penalties at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on a gloriously sunny Sunday afternoon.
With the game level at 1-1 after 90 minutes, 20 minutes of extra time still could not separate the sides, meaning that Glentoran Colts keeper Milo Beimers was the hero, making two saves in the shootout to help his side secure the trophy.
It looked as though the Glens would win the decider in normal time after Jude Johnson’s goal just before the hour mark but Kalum Thompson equalised dramatically for Linfield Rangers in stoppage time to send the game into extra time.
Glentoran had the better of the early exchanges with both James McClure and Jack Watson attempting to lob Linfield keeper Darragh Rooney but both of their efforts dropped the wrong side of the post.
Watson also dragged a good chance wide of the post as David Bryson’s side came out of the traps quickly.
The Blues did settle into the game after that but didn’t fashion too many chances of note in the first half, while Johnson struck the crossbar for the Glens as they tried to break the deadlock before half-time.
Jamie Mulgrew obviously had some stern words for his team at the interval as they showed an urgency after the break that they had not shown up to that point.
They were almost celebrating 10 minutes into the second half. Oliver Wade’s effort beat Beimers but rebounded off the inside of the post and away.
Like Linfield in the first half, the Glens weathered the early storm and were able to strike just after the hour mark.
Callum Leacock was caught out at the back but it looked as though McClure and Watson had spurned the opportunity as they got in each other’s way. However, Johnson took charge and finished neatly into the bottom corner from a narrow angle.
Linfield – who last won the trophy in 2019 – attempted to strike back but were repelled by the Glentoran defence led by captain Ciaran Rogers-Duffy.
The combative nature of the game was laid bare as Linfield’s Callum Anderson and Glentoran’s Cillian McCann were forced off with injury as the game wore on.
The boys from east Belfast looked to be seeing the game out but, just seconds after the fourth official’s board went up to indicate six minutes of added time, Thompson slid home at the back post after excellent work from the enterprising Kenzie Beattie.
That got Linfield’s tails up and Beattie was denied superbly by Beimers as they pushed for a dramatic late winner.
They were almost caught out at the other end though and only the crossbar denied James Douglas’ vicious volley in a hectic period of stoppage time.
Both sides continued their endeavours into extra time but it was clear that legs were starting to get heavy as the clock ticked down towards the dreaded penalty shootout. Those further 20 minutes could not produce a winner and so it was on to the shootout.
In that shootout both sides were perfect through four spot kicks each before Beimers denied Harry Allen.
That gave Daniel Beatty the chance to win it for his side but he blasted the ball over the bar, turning the advantage back to Linfield.
However, Canada Under-17 international Beimers repelled Jude Cargill's spot kick, meaning Reece Bell's subsequent effort secured the cup for the young Glens and brought the trophy back to The Oval for the first time since 1995.
Glentoran Colts:Milo Beimers, Cillian McCann, Joel Kerr, Ciaran Rogers-Duffy (captain), Jayden Charnley, Jack Faloona, Cal McGloin, James Douglas, James McClure, Jude Johnson, Jack Watson.
Substitutes: (used) Jake Drennan, Ryan Bailie, Daniel Beatty, Cal Weatherup, Reece Bell; (unused) Dylan Hayes, Aaron Mackel.
Linfield Rangers:Darragh Rooney, Harry Allen, Jon Graham, Callum Leacock, Calum Anderson, Liam Burns (captain), Zach Anderson, Alex Watson, Oliver Wade, Kalum Thompson, Kenzie Beattie.
Substitutes: (used) Danny Hawe, Jacob Farr, Zhai Glackin, Jude Cargill; (unused) Samuel Jones, Shane Trainor, Ciaran Boyle.
Action from the final
