Linfield manager David Jeffrey praises 'team effort' after cup win

Linfield manager David Jeffrey

Linfield manager David Jeffrey has praised the 'fine team effort' which saw his side beat Crusaders 4-1 in the Irish Cup final to secure the double.

"It was an incredible effort by all the players - we played some good stuff and bounced back when it looked like Crusaders may come back into the game.

"All the players contributed and our final goal summed us up with everyone playing their part," said Jeffrey.

"I am immensely proud of my players and our goals were fantastic," he added.

"Michael Carvill's free-kick was very special and Mark McAllister was excellent and deserved his two goals.

"He has great strength and has proved that he is a goalscorer too."

Man-of-the-match McAllister modestly said that "the ball fell well for me twice" as he reflected on the goals which gave his side a 2-0 lead.

"The Crues pulled a goal back and we could have let our heads drop, but we went on to win comfortably," said McAllister, who will face stiff competition for his place next season from new signing Matthew Tipton.

"It's up to myself to keep training hard and give the manager some selection problems," commented the former Dungannon forward.

Carvill said that "you know when you come here that you have to be a winner".

"We are expected to win every match and every competition that we enter and that brings pressure - the quality of the squad and the strength in depth means that there is huge competition for places too," said Carvill.

Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter conceded that the better team had won but pointed out that his side had missed "some gilt-edged chances".

"We have to pick ourselves up for another mammoth final against Derry City next week," added Baxter.