Four goal Blues through to face Shels

Glentoran 2 Linfield 4

Linfield were ahead after just five minutes when Paul McAreavey was quickest to react to a scramble in the box to force home a header.

The Blues were by far the better side in the opening exchanges and the home fans were growing restless.

Their frustration was to grow even more when Linfield scored a second in the 28th minute. Aiden O’Kane swung in a dangerous free-kick and William Murphy headed home.

Three minutes before half-time Linfield were three up. Peter Thompson raced away before crossing for Glenn Ferguson to slot home to stun the Glentoran faithful.

Linfield started the second half just as they had ended the first and a corner from Michael Gault hit the bar, a shot from Tim Mouncey did likewise - and then Mouncey cracked a free kick from the edge of the box past Morris in the 53rd minute to make in 4-0.

Glentoran saved just a little pride by pulling two back in the last half hour.

First Darren Lockhart crashed home in the 62nd minute after former Linfield player Chris Morgan set him up and ten minutes later Shaun Holmes added a second.

But the fightback was too little too late for the Glens as Linfield march on through to Saturday’s decider.

Glentoran: Morris, Nixon, Glendinning, Ward, Leeman, Holmes, Melaugh (Kilmartin 78), Keegan, Morgan, Halliday, Lockhart

Linfield: A Mannus, Douglas, W Murphy, Bailie, D Murphy, Mouncey, Gault, McAreavey, O’Kane, Ferguson, Thompson (Campbell 87).

Referee: Ian Stokes (Dublin)

The Republic of Ireland U-17s beat France 1-0 in a friendly in France last night thanks to a cracking goal from Crumlin United’s Alan Rooney in the 54th minute.

The sides meet again tomorrow.

Hartlepool will meet Sheffield Wednesday in the League One Play-off final after defeating Tranmere 6-5 in a penalty shoot-out last night.