Waterworth winner as Blues lift League Cup for first time in 11 years after feisty final

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Blues skipper Jamie Mulgrew lifts League Cup. Pic: NIFL.

Q Radio Sport

Linfield have lifted the BetMcLean League Cup for the first time in 11 years.

David Healy's men beat Ballymena 1-0 in Saturday night's final at Windsor Park.

Andy Waterworth scored the goal in the 15th minute.

The game threatened to boil over near the end of the first half after a late challenge by Sky Blues skipper Jim Ervin on his opposite number Jamie Mulgrew. 

Ervin was booked with Linfield full-back Niall Quinn also yellow-carded in the melee afterwards. 

Ballymena came back strongly in the second-half but couldn't find an equaliser.

Here's Blues full-back Chris Casement ....

Ballymena were left to reflect on what might have been.

Teenage defender Kofi Balmer...

The two managers have been giving their reaction - 

David Healy: "We weren't at our best but we showed a lot of character. The players, from 1 to 11, gave me everything. 

"People can make their minds up who they think deserved to win but we had the one big chance in the game and we took it."

David Jeffrey: "This group are the most unbelievable and dedicated group of young men, they give you everything. 

"I've told the players to bank the emotion, bank how you feel and put it in the pit of your tummy."

We've also spoken with the fans on both sides.

Blues supporters said it was a hard-fought but deserved victory...

It was a second consecutive defeat in the League Cup final for United. 

But the Sky Blues fans told Q Radio they were proud of their players...

The teams - the top two in the Danske Bank Premiership - meet again at Windsor Park next Saturday in the league.

The Premiership action resumes on Monday night with Glentoran hosting Glenavon. 

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