The record-breaking boys in blue overcame a spirited performance from Coleraine to notch up a league and cup double for an amazing third year in succession.

The marvellous accomplishment was made all the more significant as they had to battle from a goal down with Peter Thompson's double sealing victory to send the Linfield hordes into delirium.

The Blues are already the most successful club in Ireland and have had so many great teams and legendary players but according to Jeffrey this class of 2008 can stand alongside any of those who have turned out in the past.

"This will take some beating," he said. "You are only as good as those around you, I have a tremendous backroom staff, players superb. What we have achieved is remarkable. This is the best ever; no one can take it away from this team.

"That's why I was so reluctant to talk about the possibilities and at half-time you wouldn't have given us a cat in hell's chance of winning a treble double. But we came out after the break and done it.

"I am so proud of them all and they deserve every single plaudit that they are given. They have taken a bit of criticism this season which was very unfair but they rose above it and made them stronger."

Jeffrey took time to give credit to Coleraine who despite being written off by most before the game, really gave the Blues a run for their money.

"To be brutally frank and honest, first half we were totally outplayed," he added. "The first 15 minutes we were reasonable but once they scored, they outpassed us, outplayed us, outfought us and worked us.

"You have to be honest, we were lucky to go in at half-time just the one goal down."

He added: "They were very clever in that they were telling everyone before the game that they were just there to make up the numbers but when it came down to it they completely turned that around and really went for it."

Goal-hero Peter Thompson admitted that they're record breaking season, and indeed those two before it, will take a lot of getting used to.

"It hasn't sunk in and it will maybe take a while," he said. " We have worked hard all season and the whole squad deserves a lot of credit for what we have achieved. It's an amazing feeling to win another cup but to win it three years in a row on top of the league titles is just amazing."

Bannsiders boss Marty Quinn was downbeat, knowing that his side had lost their chance at glory after not taking their chances in the first half.

"We battered them, we probably should have been in two or three up at half time. But I think overall in the first half there was only one dominant force and that was Coleraine.

"Unfortunately you have a break in football and that is what cost us the game."