Image source, Press Eye

Glentoran 1-0 Portadown (Scullion 54) The match comes to life as David Scullions slots into the bottom corner to put the Glens ahead. It came seconds after Ports midfielder Michael Gault went down as he broke clear on goal - replays suggest Willie Garrett was lucky not to be red-carded.

Sean Mackle's low shot is easily saved by Glens keeper Elliott Morris.

Referee Ross Dunlop blows his whistle to start the second half. Both managers have resisted making half-time changes.

David Jeffrey
Former Linfield manager

"It looks like both teams are desperate not to lose the match rather than trying to win it."

A largely forgettable opening 45 minutes comes to an end - David Scullion's fizzing drive a rare highlight and surely it can only getting better in the second half

Marcus Kane puts in a superb tackle to block Mark McAllister's goalbound shot in Portadown's best chance of the match.

Ten minutes to the break and this game has yet to spark into life, with both teams failing to find a cutting edge in the final third.

Image source, Press Eye

A crowd of 8,072 is watching the final unfold and there's a cracking atmosphere at the Oval.

Glens winger David Scullion drills a 25-yard effort just over - the closest we have come to a breakthrough

Robert Garrett's long-range volley drifts wide after a Portadown corner is cleared.

It's all a bit hectic and disjointed with little in the way of quality football. Error-strewn stuff in east Belfast.

A pretty even affair in the opening 10 minutes. Conditions not helping and defences on top so far.

Glentoran striker Curtis Allen heads wide with the first chance of the game. The Glens will hope to capitalise on having the wind advantage in the first half

We're under way with Portadown attacking the Sydenham end in the first half

Aaron_LFC_85: should have been a neutral stadium and Ravenhill would have been ideal

The teams walk out onto the Oval turf for the pre-match formalities - it may be wet and blustery, but it hasn't dampened spirits of the Glens and Ports faithful. Portadown are in their traditional red kit with Glentoran donning their away strip of white shirts and black shorts.

Ronnie McFall guided Glentoran to Irish Cup success in 1983 before winning the competition three times as Portadown boss. McFall, the longest serving manager in Europe, is chasing a 30th trophy.

David Jeffrey
Former Linfield manager

The BBC pundit believes the final should not be played at the Oval - "Every effort should have been made to take the match to Kingspan Stadium (home of Ulster Rugby)".

History favours the Glens, having won both finals contested between the teams. Eddie Patterson's side also have home advantage for the decider - will it prove decisive?