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The Blues will be striving to lift the famous old trophy for the third successive season while the Bannsiders will be in their third decider this decade. Indeed, Linfield could well have their eye on an almost unprecedented third straight League and Cup double  – a feat last achieved only by the Blues of 1890-93 vintage!

And an Irish Cup final between the Blues and the Bannsiders evokes memories of classic deciders from the past. The sides have met at this stage on no fewer than five occasions, the most recent in 1981/82 when goals from Lindsay McKeown and Billy Murray handed Linfield victory at The Oval.

However Coleraine did defeat the Blues twice in three seasons in the mid-70’s, a 4-1 pummelling in 1977 and that three game soap opera a couple of years earlier. There were also a couple of meetings in the early post-WW2 era with Linfield emerging victorious both times.

The Bannsiders faced, on paper, a relatively comfortable route to the final.

A David Patton goal proved enough to defeat Tobermore United in the fifth round followed by a much more emphatic 5-1 victory over Second Division strugglers Brantwood a few weeks later. Patton again found the net alongside Marty Hunter, Darren Cassidy, Ryan McLaughlin and a Simon McWilliams own goal.

They faced top flight opposition for the first time in the quarter-finals in the shape of Institute. After a scoreless draw at Drumahoe knocked five past Liam Beckett’s side in the return at The Showgrounds and – as before – the goals were spread out amongst John Neill, Stephen Carson, Kyle McVey, Jody Tolan and Cassidy again.

And so onto the semi-finals and two titanic tussles with a Donegal Celtic side dripping with former Coleraine favourites. The Bannsiders within six minutes of making their exit after Michael McClean had fired DC into the lead just after the hour but teenager Stephen Dooley made an instant name for himself with his 84^th minute equaliser.

The replay was just as close. Hunter had handed Coleraine a 14^th minute lead only for Sean Armstrong to level on the hour. Extra-time was called for – and very nearly penalties – but Davy Patton popped up with almost the last kick of the game to book Marty Quinn’s side a place in what will be their 11^th final.

Linfield began their journey with a 3-0 defeat of Carnegie First Division champions Loughgall at Lakeview Park. A potential banana skin but two goals from Peter Thompson and a Thomas Stewart strike got them on their way. Another First Division side - Bangor - lay in wait in the sixth round with Thompson again on target to add to Glenn Ferguson’s brace to set up a quarter-final trip to the Newry Showgrounds.

After a 1-1 draw (Ferguson) it was back to Windsor Park and an immensely more comfortable 4-0 win with Oran Kearney joining the usual pairing of Thompson and Ferguson on the scoresheet.

The semi-finals threw up a mouth-watering clash with Cliftonville but two goals inside the opening half-an-hour or so from Jamie Mulgrew and the irrepressible Thompson snuffed out the Red challenge before it could really get going.

This season the Blues have enjoyed a degree of dominance in the meetings between the sides.  A 4-0 thumping at Windsor Park in November – including a Ferguson hat-trick – was almost repeated on Easter Tuesday at The Showgrounds so, if nothing else, Coleraine will have more than a few scores to settle and points to prove to themselves and their fans.

The match kicks off tomorrow (Saturday 3 May) at 2.45 pm at Windsor Park, Belfast.  Tickets on sale now priced at £15 (adults) and £8 (concessions/senior citizens).

LINFIELD tickets are available from the following outlets:
- Linfield Superstore, Windsor Park, Belfast
- Linfield store, Shankill Road, Belfast.
Linfield will occupy the South/Kop stands and gain access via the Forecourt, Donegall Avenue

COLERAINE tickets are available from the following outlets:
- Elder's, Bushmills Road, Coleraine
- Jean's, Ballycastle Road, Coleraine
- D&G fashions, Garvagh
- D&G fashions, Limavady
- Sam Stevenson's Mace, Kilrea
- Coleraine Showgrounds Club Shop - Saturday 26th April (v Dungannon Swifts)
Coleraine will occupy the North Stand Upper Deck and gain access via North Stand turnstiles via Midgley Park.