Blues lift Irish Cup for a record 44th time - as fans make their comeback

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Fans return to see Linfield lift the cup.

Q Radio Sport

Linfield have won the Irish Cup for a record 44th time.

Shayne Lavery and Joel Cooper scored to give them a 2-1 victory over Larne in Friday night's final at Mourneview Park.

Skipper Jeff Hughes grabbed a late consolation goal for the east Antrim side.

But it was the Blues who were celebrating at the final whistle in Lurgan.

The game marked the return of spectators to sport here with 1,000 fans allowed to attend.

Linfield will now hope to complete a league and cup double.

They need a point from their remaining two matches to retain the title and travel to closest rivals Coleraine on Tuesday night.

The cup final result means the Bannsiders will finish in the top three and have therefore qualified for Europe.

The third European place will go to either Glentoran or Larne who are separated by a point ahead of their mid-week clash at Inver Park.

Friday's final got the go ahead after the Irish FA dismissed a protest from Crusaders against their semi-final defeat to Tiernan Lynch's team.

Latest standings and final fixtures:

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