Image source, Darren Kidd/Presseye.com

Glenavon's cup final success means they will play in the 2014/15 Europa League, joining the Premiership's second and third-placed teams Linfield and Crusaders.

Losing manager Glenn Ferguson is adamant referee Raymond Crangle got Gary Thompson's dismissal wrong...

"It was obvious Gary should not have been sent off, but in big games you sometimes get referees who want to be in the big picture.

"If he got it wrong with Gareth McKeown, two wrongs do not make a right. He has just dug a bigger hole for himself."

From BBC Radio Ulster

"I am just so happy and so proud. These boys are the best bunch I have played with and they have made my dream come true." - Glenavon's player-manager Gary Hamilton.

It is all over at Windsor Park and Glenavon have won the Irish Cup for the first time since 1997.

Defender Tony Kane loses his head completely, lunging in on Hamilton, and it is the third red card of the match.

Glenavon player-manager Gary Hamilton brings himself on, striker Guy Bates off.

There will be at least three minutes added time.

A chance for David Cushley, but goalkeeper Jack McGrath is out well to make a crucial blocking save. Will Ballymena get another opportunity to get level?

Ballymena are forced into their final change as injured defender David Munster is replaced by Aaron Stewart. Sky Blues boss has been about to send on Neal Gawley before Munster picked up the knock.

Glenavon's 40-year-old defender William Murphy comes on for Tiarnan Mulvenna. Winkie's experience should be useful in tense situations like this.

Image source, William Cherry

Glenavon substitute Mark Patton cuts inside and drills a low shot past Ballymena keeper Aaron Shanahan. His 14th goal of the season with 15 minutes to go.

Ballymena's skipper Allan Jenkins bundles in from close-range after David Cushley's corner from the right falls for him in the box.

Midfielder Mark Patton comes on for Glenavon, replacing goal scorer Kyle Neill. Will his free-kick prove to be a cup final winner? Answer in 25 minutes.

Alan Davidson, who scored twice for Ballymena in the semi-final, replaces Sky Blues front man Darren Boyce (65 mins)

Ciaran Martyn pulls off a superb defensive block to deny Ballymena's Darren Boyce in front of the Glenavon goal.

In the BBC2 studio Chris Morgan and Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter agree that Gary Thompson was extremely unlucky to get a red card.

"It is the softest red card I have seen for some time," says Baxter.

Kyle Neill scored the opening goal in the 2002 Irish Cup final - but his Portadown side lost 2-1 to Linfield.

Now it is 10 versus 10 in the cup final as Ballymena midfielder Gary Thompson is shown a straight red card for a high boot on Glenavon opponent Shane McCabe. Remember Manchester United's Nani getting ordered off against Real Madrid last year? Much like that one.

Kyle Neill puts 10-man Glenavon into the lead with a brilliantly-struck left-foot free-kick from around the 30-yard mark. It went straight through the Ballymena wall and, after a sedate opening, this final is well and truly alive now.

When the corner is eventually taken, ball comes out and Ciaran Martyn slides a shot just wide of the target.