Crusaders dominate final to win Irish Cup

3 years ago 37

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Ross Clarke, who also scored in the 2019 final, gave Crusaders the lead at Windsor Park

Crusaders have won a third Irish Cup in five years after a dominant 4-0 win over Ballymena United at Windsor Park.

In a repeat of last year's dramatic decider between the sides, Ross Clarke's deflected opener rolled into the bottom corner on 11 minutes.

Adam Lecky made it two after the restart when his fortunate effort sliced into the net before captain Philip Lowry headed home a third.

Paul Heatley's screamer rounded out the win in a one-sided decider.

After a bright opening, which saw Jude Winchester spurn two gilt-edged chances, Crusaders took the lead when Clarke's shot from outside of the area took a big deflection off Steven McCullough and left Jordan Williamson stranded as the ball bounced into the bottom corner.

The Crues doubled their lead in the 53rd minute when Lecky, moments after setting up Jarlath O'Rourke who hit the post, tried to fire the rebound home but he mis-hit his effort and it looped over Williamson in one of the strangest cup final strikes in recent memory.

Lowry, Crusaders' player of the season, headed home from Clarke's corner on 65 minutes and, three minutes later, Heatley curled home a delightful fourth to wrap up the win, which earned the Seaview side a sixth Irish Cup triumph and European football next season.