Oran Kearney and Glenn Ferguson scored Linfield's goals

David Jeffrey's Blues had to come from behind at Seaview after Kevin Kelbie fired United into a 33rd-minute lead.

Former Ballymena player Oran Kearney got the equaliser in the 50th minute.

Kelbie saw a shot crash against the bar just before Ferguson got away from his marker to head in at the near post on 84 minutes to secure Linfield's win.

It was Ferguson's 36th goal of the season in what was his ninth Shield final.

Ballymena were left disappointed and still without a senior trophy since their Irish Cup success in 1989.

Tommy Wright's Sky Blues looked as if they could cause an upset after Kelbie scored that opener.

But the runaway league leaders struck four minutes into the second period through Kearney.

And, just when extra-time looked likely, Ferguson pounced to seal Linfield's second trophy of the season, following their CIS Cup final win in December.

Linfield goalkeeper Alan Mannus was struck by a missile thrown from the Ballymena section late in the game.

Ballymena: W McFrederick, C Donaghy, C McClean, G Smyth, Albert Watson, G Scates, Aiden Watson, G Haveron, S King, V Sweeney, K Kelbie.

Linfield: A Mannus, J Ervin, N Bailie, W Murphy, P McShane, C Kingsberry, M Gault, P McAreavey, O Kearney, G Ferguson, P Thompson.

Referee: Michael Ross (Carrickfergus)