McCLEAN AT THE DOUBLE AS LINFIELD REACH FINAL
Kyle McClean bagged both goals as holders Linfield reached the final of the BetMcLean Cup with victory over Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park.
The Blues needed just seven minutes to seize the advantage. Skipper Jamie Mulgrew embarked on a run across the edge of the area before being brought down and, from the subsequent free-kick, McClean curled a stunning effort into the top right corner.
Linfield might have doubled their advantage not long after that when a Kirk Millar corner was knocked on by Daniel Finlayson for Darragh McBrien to turn an effort off the inside of the post before going across the face of goal but not over the line.
Dungannon attempted to hit back as the first half progressed, with Gael Bigirimana having a go from around 30 yards only for the ball to drift over while Leo Alves sent an effort from the left side of the area just beyond the far post.
And Rodney McAree's side were thrown a potential lifeline early in the second half when Linfield were reduced to ten men following Euan East's dismissal for attempting to block a Declan Dunne clearance from his hands, his second booking of the game.
But Linfield doubled their advantage on 70 minutes with McClean's second of the evening after he ran onto the ball to beat Dunne at the second attempt after the home keeper had saved the initial effort.
However, the Swifts did pull one back eight minutes from time through Joe Moore after he pounced on a loose ball inside the box before firing low into the bottom right corner ... but it wasn't enough to spark a comeback as Linfield held on to progress.
Dungannon Swifts: Dunne, Curry, Marron, Knowles, Dillon, S. Scott, Glenny, Gallagher, McGinty, Alves, Bigirimana subs Ritchie, J. Scott, C. Hegarty, Moore, Hutchinson, A. Hegarty, Galvin
Linfield: Johns, Finlayson, East, Millar, McClean, McBrien, Hall, Clarke, McKee, Mulgrew, Fitzpatrick subs Walsh, Newberry, Cooper, Annett, McKay, Archer, Graham
Substitution 
Substitution 
