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Joel Cooper opened the scoring before two fine finishes from Kyle McClean helped the clinical Blues progress to the decider for the first time since 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\nSubstitute Junior had pulled a goal back for Glentoran.<\/span><\/p>\nLinfield will face the winner of the second semi-final between Cliftonville and Larne, who play on Saturday. <\/span><\/p>\nThe final will take place at Windsor Park on 4 May.<\/span><\/p>\nLinfield had won three out of four meetings in all competitions this season coming into this semi-final, but the solitary Glens win came at The Oval, when they beat the Blues 4-0 in December.<\/span><\/p>\nLike that game, it was a frantic opening to the semi-final in front of a large crowd with some early crunching tackles from both sets of players adding a real derby feel to the game.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Glens’ first sight on goal arrived on four minutes, with Daire O’Connor wriggling past Matthew Clare and fizzing in a low cross which none of the three Glentoran players in the box could get on the end of. <\/span><\/p>\nIt was a similar story at the other end four minutes later, as a poor goal-kick from Aaron McCarey landed at Joel Cooper’s feet and he drove forward before picking out Joshua Archer, whose delivery evaded everyone.<\/span><\/p>\nMatthew Fitzpatrick then glanced wide from Kirk Millar’s near post corner as the chances continued to flow at either end.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span><\/span>Cooper opened the scoring for Linfield with his first goal since December<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nGlentoran had a great opportunity to open the scoring on 25 minutes, as Shay McCartan whipped in a free-kick which Aidan Wilson nodded down to James Singleton, who from only a couple of yards out, headed wide of the far post.<\/span><\/p>\nThe home side would be left to rue that miss when Cooper opened the scoring for the Blues on 33 minutes. <\/span><\/p>\nMcClean’s deep cross was only cleared by Singleton as far as Cooper inside the area, who fired home a low shot past McCarey. <\/span><\/p>\nThe goal seemed to invigorate Linfield, who took control of the contest from that moment on.<\/span><\/p>\nThey had a golden opportunity to double their advantage as another cross from the left from McClean found Fitzpatrick, who headed over the crossbar from close range.<\/span><\/p>\n
![\"Kyle](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/11C28\/production\/_133044727_pmaker29032024glentoranvlinfield31.jpg\")