Dungannon Swifts 1 Linfield 2
Kyle McClean scored twice for Linfield at Stangmore Park
Two cool finishes from Kyle McClean sent holders Linfield into the BetMcLean Cup final at a freezing Stangmore Park.
The midfielder caught Dungannon cold with an early goal, then was on target again with a clinical strike in the second-half, just when a Swifts comeback looked on.
A late goal from sub Joe Moore ensured a tense finale, but the Blues held on to keep alive their dreams of retaining the trophy.
As the season enters its final months, David Healy’s men are still fighting on three fronts.
They were pushed hard here, with Euan East sent off for a stupid second booking in the 58th minute.
The Swifts never lost belief, even after those two McClean finishes looked to have sealed the game.
But the Blues, who really looked rattled in the closing stages, held on to make the final.
Kyle McClean of Linfield scores at Stangmore Park
They will be favourites to lift the trophy for a 12th time against Championship side Portadown.
Healy, though, will take nothing for granted, having been tested by Dungannon here.
It had seemed this would be a straightforward night for the Blues, who raced into an early lead with McClean on target after just seven minutes.
Jamie Mulgrew jinked his way across the box, drawing a foul from Steven Scott right on the edge of the area.
Sensing the looming danger, the Swifts lined up a five man wall but McClean just looked up, picked his spot and sent a terrific effort curling into the top corner.
It was just the start Healy would have wanted, and it could have got even better soon afterwards.
A corner was played short to Matthew Clarke, then to Daniel Finlayson who spotted Darragh McBrien arriving, touching it
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