Linfield being in with a shout of a trophy treble shouldn’t sound as impressive as it is, but in a campaign where the book has been thrown at the Blues from seemingly all directions, a team where winning is par for the course have probably exceeded expectations in making that prospect a reality.
They’ve had storms to weather across the board in 2023/24. From popular General Manager David Graham’s shock departure to a stadium ban after repeated instances of fan disorder to a mounting injury list that forced them to hand inexperienced young guns key roles beyond their years, it’s been a turbulent term for David Healy’s side in many ways.
But that’s not been reflected in results. The Irish League’s perennial winners for nearly 140 years and counting have 24 of them from 32 in the Sports Direct Premiership ahead of facing Carrick Rangers in their final pre-split clash, and they have already housed the BetMcLean Cup inside the Windsor Park boardroom in 2024, successfully defending their crown from the previous year by conquering Portadown.
They’re also in with a shout of Irish Cup glory, too, having made light of their ‘away team’ status at The BetMcLean Oval to deliver a fantastic performance against their old enemy.
The Big Two semi-final on Friday night wasn’t quite processionary for Linfield – after all, when Junior halved Glentoran’s deficit nine minutes from time, that naturally would’ve set up a close-knit finale – but they fully merited their spot in the showpiece.
The exceptional Kyle McClean, who’s a lock in midfield in the Premiership Team of the Year, is also a big-game player and, after his game-changing double at Dungannon Swifts ensured the south Belfast institution of their billing League Cup showpiece, his brace here – the second of which came just three minutes after Junior shot a flicker of hope into Glens hearts – stole the show en route to a rousing 3-1 triumph.
Two quite phenomenal finishes they were, too, and with Joel Cooper having broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark in the east, Healy’s charges can think ahead to fighting on two fronts in a pulsating season climax.
They’ll face Cliftonville on May 4, by which time they could have the Gibson Cup wrapped up.
Just two points behind Larne and knowing they can leapfrog the Invermen should they win at the Loughview Leisure Arena and their east Antrim rivals suffer a second defeat in three days at the Reds’ hands at Solitude, Linfield are right in the thick of it and won’t leave the scene any time soon.
Healy has entrusted youngsters like Rhys Annett and Josh Archer with big starting roles – the latter in particular was fabulously all-action at The Oval – while the likes of Aodhan Doherty (17), Braiden Graham (16) and Ceadach O’Neill (15) have also taken things by the scruff of the neck despite their tender years, and he has reaped the rewards of bringing up the youth.
That said, with midfield maestro Chris Shields back and Jordan Stewart once again involved after a year and more out injured, the Killyleagh supremo does have lieutenants of a more seasoned variant at his disposal as well.
And what can be said of Jamie Mulgrew that hasn’t been said already. The captain’s nearly 20 years into his Linfield career but aging like a fine wine; he was splendid on Friday night once again.
Of course, December 1, 2023 was a chilling date for Linfield for more reasons than the winter setting given that chastening 4-0 reversal at the hands of a then-Warren Feeney-led Glentoran.
No such repeat against interim Oval chief Declan Devine’s lot this time, and the Blues are out to finish the job and take three trophies home as a memento for 2023/24. You’d hardly write them off doing just that.
Featured image from Linfield FC Website.
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