They withstood a first-half barrage from Coleraine, who were unfortunate not to have gone into the interval more than just one goal to the good.

In the second half, though, there was only going to be one winner and Peter Thompson - who had barely had a sniff in the opening 45 minutes - once again demonstrated his quality to turn the tie on its head.

The goalcharts show that Peter is the best striker in the Irish League and the trophies prove David Jeffrey isn't half bad as his job either.

He made a big decision at half-time, one which I feel made the difference and ensured Linfield kept hold of the Irish Cup for a third successive year.

Paul McAreavey - another Blues player whom I regard to be the league's best in his position - was substituted and replaced by Mark Dickson.

It was a brave move and one which paid off because Linfield were much more dominant after that.

Just as Coleraine had come racing out of the traps at the start of the game, so too did Linfield begin the second half like a house on fire.

I always felt that Stephen Carson would be the man who could bring the cup to Coleraine and, although he enjoyed a good opening 45 minutes, he was much quieter after the break.

Jamie Mulgrew and Michael Gault stopped the supply from getting to him and the Bannsiders were all the poorer for it.

They will be rueing all those missed chances which could have put them well out of sight.

You've got to take your opportunities against Linfield, though, because they are always a threat no matter how badly they appear to be playing. They'll always create chances.

I think everyone knew the Blues would emerge from the dressing room at the break fired up and ready to turn things around.

It's just a shame for Marty Quinn and co that they only had a one-goal lead at the time, otherwise it could have been a different story.

They had worked exceptionally hard in the first-half and would have been further ahead had it not been for a combination of poor finishing and one particularly brilliant save from goalkeeper Alan Mannus.

It simply wasn't to be their day, much to the Blues' delight.