All you need to know about BetMcLean Cup final
Marcus Kane and James Singleton of Glentoran, with Kirk Millar and Kyle McClean of Linfield
- Published
This year's BetMcLean Cup final between Linfield and Glentoran at Windsor Park is a hugely anticipated one as it brings together the traditional Belfast 'Big Two' rivals in a cup decider for the first time in 16 years.
This final has become more of a showpiece occasion in recent years and with a huge crowd set to converge on the south Belfast venue on Sunday, it promises to be a colourful and thrilling occasion.
As well as contesting the silverware, the two finalists have the added incentive of qualification for the Irish Premiership's European play-off final in May, that prize being on the line for the first time for whoever picks up the trophy.
With the countdown to the final well and truly on, BBC Sport NI tells you all you need to know before the 15:00 GMT kick-off on Sunday.
How to follow on the BBC
The final will be broadcast live across BBC Sport NI on BBC Two NI, BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and BBC app.
Coverage will begin at 14:35 GMT, with presenter Stephen Watson joined in studio by a host of expert analysts including former Linfield and Ballymena United manager David Jeffrey, ex-Glentoran captain Paul Leeman and Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton.
Thomas Kane and Colin Coates will provide match commentary, while Nicola McCarthy will gather reaction pitchside.
You can also follow a live text commentary of the match on the BBC Sport website and app, followed by a report, highlights and reaction.
The clubs' records in the competition
Linfield are the most successful club in the history of the competition and are aiming to lift the trophy for the 13th time.
The Blues bridged an 11-year gap without winning the competition - or indeed reaching a final - by defeating Ballymena United in the 2019 decider.
Since then they have collected the silverware on two further occasions back-to-back - seeing off Coleraine in the 2023 final and Portadown in the 2024 edition.
Glentoran are seven-time winners but have not been triumphant since 2010 when they beat Coleraine in a penalty shootout.
It would be another 15 years before the east Belfast side would participate in a final again, the Oval outfit losing 1-0 to Cliftonville after extra-time 12 months ago.
In addition to their final victories, Linfield have been runners-up three times and Glentoran on six occasions.
The road to the final
Linfield began their quest for the silverware with a 2-0 victory at home to Queen's University in the last 32 but were pushed all the way by H&W Welders in the next round, requiring extra-time before running out 6-3 winners at the Blanchflower Stadium.
David Healy's charges then got the better of Premier Intermediate team Newry City3-2 on the road in the quarter-finals, before defeating Ballymena United 1-0 at the last-four stage at Windsor Park.
Glentoran beat Institute 1-0 away in their opener, then saw off Crusaders 2-1 in an all-Premiership tie in the last 16.
The Glens' quarter-final against Cliftonville at the Oval ended 1-1 after extra-time, with the hosts advancing to the semi-finals courtesy of a 5-4 penalty shootout success.
Declan Devine's team were 2-1 victors over Coleraine at their east Belfast ground to ensure their progression to a cup final meeting with their big rivals.
How does the formbook read?
Linfield's Matthew Fitzpatrick and Ryan Cooney of Glentoran in action during the sides' league meeting at Windsor Park on 21 February
The sides have met in three Premiership games so far this season, with their first league encounter at the Oval in September ending in a 1-1 draw.
Glentoran recorded their first-ever Boxing Day victory over the Blues at Windsor Park with a 1-0 win on 26 December, but the Blues avenged that loss with a success by the same scoreline at the same venue on 21 February.
After suffering a disappointing Irish Cup exit at the hands of Limavady in early February, Healy's side responded well to put together a run of four straight wins and a draw in the league, before going down 2-0 to Cliftonville at Solitude.
Linfield sit fourth in the table, with second-placed Glentoran three points better off, with a match in hand over their rivals.
A sequence of three successive wins has put the Glens well in the mix for a first Irish League title since 2009.
A penalty shootout reverse to Larne ended Devine's side's interest in the Irish Cup so the BetMcLean final represents the final opportunity for success in a knockout competition for both clubs this term.
VAR in use for first time
History will be made at Windsor Park on Sunday as Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will be used for the first time in Northern Ireland domestic football.
Windsor Park has the relevant equipment necessary for the implementation of VAR given it has hosted multiple Northern Ireland men's and women's international fixtures in which the technology has been used.
Irish League clubs Linfield and Larne have both experienced the use of the technology at the south Belfast stadium during their European qualifiers.
"The fixture will be officiated by Irish FA match officials on the field of play. However, VAR operations for this match will be managed by experienced referees from outside Northern Ireland using the Hawk-Eye system, as used in Fifa and Uefa competitions, ensuring technical proficiency during this introductory phase," the Northern Ireland Football League [NIFL] explained in a press release announcing the move last month.
